This paper presents preliminary results on the possibility of incorporating stranded macroalgae into the papermaking process; analyses of the physical-mechanical properties of filter paper, with the addition of stranded macrophytic marine algae from Ulva rigida species obtained previously; results of SEM–EDX analyses of filter paper samples; and results obtained from the filtration of a wastewater from the metallurgical industry, using the improved filter paper samples. In the filter paper recipe, stranded macrophytic seaweed of the species Ulva rigida was added at different percentages of 0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 8%, and the addition was calculated in relation to the absolute dry material. The physicomechanical properties analyzed are grammage, thickness, density, moisture, ash content, breaking load, breaking length, tear resistance, bursting resistance, folding endurance, porosity, smoothness, water absorption and Cobb60 index. Additional information related to the homogeneity of the distribution of elements in the paper mass was obtained by scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM–EDX). The addition of macroalgae to the paper mass improved the strength characteristics of the paper, such as breaking load, breaking length, tearing resistance, folding endurance and water absorption. Following industrial wastewater filtration using filter paper with added seaweed, positive results were obtained in terms of reduction of total Cr, Cu, total Fe and Zn concentrations.

Whey edible films (EFs) functionalized with essential oils have a high potential to be used on various foods due to their antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. Encapsulation is applied for a better retention of volatiles in EFs; however, the functional properties of EFs are modified. The properties of EFs containing thyme essential oil (TEO) encapsulated by co-precipitation in β-CD, developed in three formulae, with inclusion complexes (EF/IC1, EF/IC2, and EF/IC3, respectively) in 15:85, 26:74, and 35:65 mass ratios were studied. Thymol is the main volatile in the ICs with TEO/β-CD (50%–60% of the total volatiles). In comparison with EF/TEO, all three formulae with EF/ICs had better, but similar, WVPs (p > 0.05). The EF/IC2 displayed a different FTIR profile than EF/IC1 and EF/IC3, suggesting a smaller number of free functional groups. The EF/IC2 showed better transparency in comparison with EF/IC1 and EF/IC3. All EF/ICs moderately inhibited R. glutinis, with the strongest activity registered by EF/IC3 (p < 0.05), but did not inhibit G. candidum, while showing a strong antibacterial activity against B. cereus. All EF/ICs inhibited 65%–70% of the total free radicals. The EF/ICs ensured a gradual release of VOCs in food simulants, with a higher rate in 95% ethanol than in water. These results have demonstrated the properties of EF/ICs with TEO/β-CD as bioactive packaging systems for foods.

In recent years, iron oxides-based nanostructured composite materials are of particular interest for the preparation of multifunctional thin films and membranes to be used in sustainable magnetic field adsorption and photocatalysis processes, intelligent coatings, and packing or bio-medical applications. In this paper, superparamagnetic iron oxide (core)-silica (shell) nanoparticles suitable for thin films and membrane functionalization were obtained by co-precipitation and ultrasonic-assisted sol-gel methods. The comparative/combined effect of the magnetic core co-precipitation temperature (80 and 95 °C) and ZnO-doping of the silica shell on the photocatalytic and nano-sorption properties of the resulted composite nanoparticles were investigated by ultraviolet-visible (UV-VIS) spectroscopy monitoring the discoloration of methylene blue (MB) solution under ultraviolet (UV) irradiation and darkness, respectively. The morphology, structure, textural, and magnetic parameters of the investigated powders were evidenced by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) measurements, and saturation magnetization (vibrating sample magnetometry, VSM). The intraparticle diffusion model controlled the MB adsorption. The pseudo- and second-order kinetics described the MB photodegradation. When using SiO2-shell functionalized nanoparticles, the adsorption and photodegradation constant rates are three–four times higher than for using starting core iron oxide nanoparticles. The obtained magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) were tested for films deposition.

This paper presents results on tribological characteristics for polymer blends made of polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). This blend is relatively new in research as PBT has restricted processability because of its processing temperature near the degradation one. Tests were done block-on-ring tribotester, in dry regime, the variables being the PTFE concentration (0%, 5%, 10% and 15% wt) and the sliding regime parameters (load: 1, 2.5 and 5 N, the sliding speed: 0.25, 0.5 and 0.75 m/s, and the sliding distance: 2500, 5000 and 7500 m). Results are encouraging as PBT as neat polymer has very good tribological characteristics in terms of friction coefficient and wear rate. SEM investigation reveals a quite uniform dispersion of PTFE drops in the PBT matrix. Either considered a composite or a blend, the mixture PBT + 15% PTFE exhibits a very good tribological behavior, the resulting material gathering both stable and low friction coefficient and a linear wear rate lower than each component when tested under the same conditions.

Edible coatings are important for horticulture crops preservation and reducing food waste. Application of edible coatings followed by low-temperature storage prolongs the storability, preserves quality, and decreases the overall postharvest losses. This study evaluated the efficacy of two nanoemulsions formulae containing thyme essential oil and whey proteins as coatings for zucchini, with the purpose of extending their shelf-life. The nanoemulsions were rheologically evaluated and the formula with guar and arabic gum mix stabilizer (S) showed a better capacity to restructure after strain compared to the formulae with Tween 20 (T). The S coating material had a better capacity to integrate nanoparticles compared to T. However, when applied on zucchini, T coating was more effective in reducing weight loss showing 16% weight loss compared to 21% in S, after 42 days. At the end of storage at 10 °C, the T-coated zucchini had better firmness (p < 0.05) compared with S and both coatings were superior to control (p < 0.05). POD (peroxidase) activity was high in peel at the end of storage when also CAT (catalase) showed a sudden increase. On the 42nd day of storage, the highest enzymes activity (CAT, POD, and APX (ascorbate peroxidase)) was present in the S-coated zucchini peel. The most abundant volatile in T coating was α-pinene and 4-carene in S. Sensory analysis showed that T coating delayed the appearance of senescence while S exhibited surface cracks.