Microwave synthesis of magnetically separable ZnFe2O4-reduced graphene oxide for wastewater treatment

A magnetically separable ZnFe₂O₄-reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nano-composite was synthesised via a microwave method. Field emission scanning electron microscopy images of the nano-composite showed a uniform dispersion of nanoparticles on the rGO sheets. The performance of the nano-composite in wastewater treatment was assessed by observing the decomposition of methylene blue. The nano-composite showed excellent bifunctionality, i.e. adsorption and photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue, for up to five cycles of water treatment when illuminated with light from a halogen bulb. In contrast, water treatment with the nano-composite without illumination and the illuminated rGO, with no decoration of nanoparticles, diminished significantly after the first treatment. The reclamation of the ZnFe₂O₄-rGO nano-composite from treated water could be easily achieved by applying an external magnetic field.     

Antioxidant and anticancer activities of enzymatic hydrolysates of solitary tunicate (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Styela clava</Emphasis>)

The antioxidant and anticancer activities of solitary tunicate (Styela clava) hydrolysate manufactured with different proteases (Alcalase 2.4 L FG, Thermoase PC10F, and pepsin) and optimized by response surface methodology (RSM) were investigated. The hydrolysate produced by Alcalase generally had greater antioxidant and anticancer activities. Two major fractions, F₁ and F₂, were produced by applying Alcalase hydrolysates to Sephacryl S-100 HR gel filtration chromatography. Fraction F₂ with a lower molecular weight (3.6±0.1 kDa) had higher ABTS and DPPH radical scavenging activities than F₁ (5.0±1.0 kDa), with IC₅₀ values of 11.4 and 227.5 μg/mL, respectively. Moreover, fraction F₂ had higher anticancer activitiy, with IC₅₀ values of 577.1, 1,163.3, and 887.2 μg/mL against AGS, DLD-1, and HeLa cells, respectively. Fraction F₂ was also rich in tyrosine, lysine, arginine, phenylalanine, and histidine. These results suggest that solitary tunicate hydrolysates have significant health-promoting effects with excellent antioxidant and anticancer activities.     

Modification of polypropylene filter with metal oxide and reduced graphene oxide for water treatment

A hydrothermal method for the synthesis of reduced graphene oxide/titanium dioxide filter (RGO/TiO₂) and reduced graphene oxide/zinc oxide filter (RGO/ZnO) by using polypropylene (PP) porous filter is reported. Field emission scanning electron microscopy illustrated that the nanoparticles were uniformly distributed on the reduced graphene oxide nanosheets. Flexural tests showed that the physical properties of the modified filters have greater strength than the original filter. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed that the thermal property of the modified filters is the same as that of the original filter. Under a halogen lamp, the modified filter exhibited excellent photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue. The RGO/TiO₂ filter maintained its ability to degrade MB efficiently, even after five cycles of photocatalysis.