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Visible light-driven Ag 2 S-grafted NiO–ZnO ternary nanocomposites are synthesized using a facile and cost-effective homogeneous precipitation method. The structural, morphological, and optical properties were extensively studied, confirming the formation of ternary nanocomposites. The surface area of the synthesized nanocomposites was calculated by electrochemical double-layer capacitance ( C dl ). Ternary Ag 2 S/NiO–ZnO nanocomposites showed excellent visible light photocatalytic property which increases further with the concentration of Ag 2 S. The maximum photocatalytic activity was shown by 8% Ag 2 S/NiO–ZnO with a RhB degradation efficiency of 95%. Hydroxyl and superoxide radicals were found to be dominant species for photodegradation of RhB, confirmed by scavenging experiments. It is noteworthy that the recycling experiments demonstrated high stability and recyclable nature of the photocatalyst. Moreover, the electrochemical results indicated that the prepared nanocomposite exhibits remarkable activity toward detection of acetone. The fabricated nanocomposite sensor showed high sensitivity (4.0764 μA mmol L –1 cm –2 ) and a lower detection limit (0.06 mmol L –1 ) for the detection of acetone. The enhanced photocatalytic and the sensing property of Ag 2 S/NiO–ZnO can be attributed to the synergistic effects of strong visible light absorption, excellent charge separation, and remarkable surface properties.

Bio-nanocomposites were synthesized via grafting polypyrrole/ZnO onto chitosan chain for the photodegradation of organic pollutants and biomedical applications.

A comparative study on the degradation of acid navy blue R (ANB) and reactive orange 16 (RO 16) was performed in two identical microbial fuel cells (MFCs) under similar conditions and the microbial communities were quantified using a quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Electricity and methane gas were produced as the end products along with the significant removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD) during the study. The overall performance in terms of degradation rate, COD removal efficiency and biogas production rates were slightly better in the case of the reactor using RO 16 as the carbon source, while electricity production was slightly greater in the reactor treating ANB. A negative standard reduction potential of the reaction mixture indicates the presence of oxidized species in the reactor. Scanning electron microscopy images show the presence of diatoms and rod shaped bacteria in the mixed microbial culture and also confirmed the formation of a biofilm on the anode surface. The qPCR technique was used as a quantitative tool to estimate the abundance of methanogens, sulphate reducing bacteria (SRBs) and electrochemically active Geobacter species. The relative abundance of methanogens was comparatively higher and Geobacter was lower in the case of the reactor treating RO 16. Although the output power was low, this technique can be used for the effective degradation of complex and toxic compounds.

A major and growing concern within society is the lack of innovative and effective solutions to mitigate the challenge of environmental pollution. Uncontrolled release of pollutants into the environment as a result of urbanisation and industrialisation is a staggering problem of global concern. Although, the eco-toxicity of nanotechnology is still an issue of debate, however, nanoremediation is a promising emerging technology to tackle environmental contamination, especially dealing with recalcitrant contaminants. Nanoremediation represents an innovative approach for safe and sustainable remediation of persistent organic compounds such as pesticides, chlorinated solvents, brominated or halogenated chemicals, perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and heavy metals. This comprehensive review article provides a critical outlook on the recent advances and future perspectives of nanoremediation technologies such as photocatalysis, nano-sensing etc., applied for environmental decontamination. Moreover, sustainability assessment of nanoremediation technologies was taken into consideration for tackling legacy contamination

To harvest solar energy more efficiently, novel Ag2S/Bi2WO6 heterojunctions were synthesized by a hydrothermal route.