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A novel method based on the combination of simultaneous cold plasma treatment with Mg nanoparticles deposition, applied to Mung bean seeds by improving their quality, is presented. The SRIM simulation reveals that only the very top layer of the seeds surface can be altered by the plasma. The experimental analysis indicates surface composition changes with a polar groups formation. These groups initiate the shift of surface characteristics from hydrophobic to hydrophilic. The chemical bond analysis shows the formation of MgO and Mg(OH)2 compounds, which acts as a positive factor for seeds germination and growth. The germination experiments showed a 70% outcome with an average of 73.9 mm sprouts length after 30 min of plasma treatment compared to the initial seeds (40% outcome and 71.3 mm sprouts length).

One of the main challenges related to hydrogen energy technologies is hydrogen storage in a safe and economically reasonable way. A promising solution could be related to the use of aluminum or its alloys to reduce water to form hydrogen when needed. The aluminum–water reaction is thermodynamically favorable, but does not proceed due to the passivation of the aluminum surface by the protective aluminum oxide layer, which prevents water molecules from coming into direct contact with metal particles. Herein, the surface of aluminum particles was modified by using a low‐temperature plasma‐activation approach. Such a modification induces a hydrophilicity effect and the modified aluminum powder sinks instantly in water, whereas unmodified powder floats on the top of the water. The plasma‐based activation technology is also discussed in detail. The structure and morphology of the samples were characterized by using SEM, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, and XRD. BET surface area analyses were also performed. The elemental composition on the nanoscale level and formation of polar groups were experimentally investigated by using X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Amounts of oxygen/hydrogen were measured by using the inert‐gas fusion method. Tests show that hydrogen production starts after 1 min of aluminum powder immersion into slightly alkaline water and continues for up to 20 min. The reaction by‐product is environmentally friendly and could be used for the production of aluminum oxide.

The growing level of wastewater as well as pollution of freshwater by various bacteria are essential worldwide issues which have to be solved. In this contribution, nanocrystalline anatase TiO2 films deposited by magnetron sputtering on high-density polystyrene (HDPE) beads were applied as floating photocatalysts for Salmonella Typhimurium bacterial inactivation in water for the first time. Additionally, the photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue dye in the presence of HDPE beads with TiO2 film under UV-B irradiation was investigated. The suitability to adopt such floating photocatalyst structures for practical applications was tested in cycling experiments. The detailed surface morphology, crystal structure, elemental mapping, surface chemical composition and bond analysis of deposited TiO2 films were investigated by scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffractometer and X-ray photoelectron spectroscope techniques. The bacterial viability as well as MB decomposition experiments showed promising results by demonstrating that 6% of bacterial colonies were formed after the first run and only about 1% after the next four runs, which is an appropriate outcome for practical applications. NPN uptake results showed that the permeability of the outer membrane was significantly increased as well.