Photocatalytic tio 2 NaNostructures DeveloPeD oN the GraDe 2 ti MaterialThe research focused on Tio 2 nanostructures environmental applications due to the special characteristics that displayed degradation of the organic compounds into environmentally friendly products through exposure to uV light. The protocol behind obtaining the nanostructures involved the use of a Ti material exposed to alkaline treatment and advanced oxidation using naoH solution and acetone. These studied nanostructures were analyzed extensively by using methods such as scanning electron microscopy (seM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (eds) and X-ray diffraction (Xrd) for characterizing the elements, compounds and morphological properties of the material. These differences in morphology is attributed to different naoH solution concentrations. The Ti sheets were immersed into naoH and acetone mixed solutions for 72 hours. The best results were recorded by using 30% naoH solution. after obtaining the 3d structures, which improve specific surface and contact area with the environment, the samples were tested under uV light in order to degrade methylene blue in order to determine their photocatalytic performance.

By thermal treatment of biomass, different types of biochar can be produced, like carbon [...]

Humic substances (HS) are complex systems widely spread in nature as a result of the humification process of biomass, although hardly quantifiable and understood. Various polyphenols are considered to be the main precursors of HS. HS are naturally synthetized in reactions involving hydrophilic, hydrophobic, ionic, and donor-acceptor intermolecular forces of different biomassderived components, such as amino acids, carbohydrates, lignins, and pectines [1]. Humins, as macromolecular associations, and fulvic acids, as lower-molecular-weight compounds, present appealing properties that make them interesting for use in formulations with potential biostimulant effects for plants development [2].Nanoemulsions were prepared by vigorously mixing on a magnetic plate a solution of 0.2% bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) previously obtained by purification and microfluidization [3], with 1% or 3% chitosan dissolved in 1% acetic acid, a 1% alginate solution, and a liquid phase containing humic and fulvic compounds obtained from un-catalyzed and catalyzed hydrothermal processes of lignocellulosic biomass. For catalyzed hydrothermal conversion (HTC) process, a Cu-Pd-Ce/γAl2O3 catalyst was used. The samples, as well as the liquid phase from the HTC process, were characterized by means of XRD, TGA, FTIR, and HPLC-FLD-MS.HPLC-FLD-MS analyses performed on the liquid phase from the hydrothermal process of lignocellulosic biomass evidenced the presence of valuable compounds like high-molecular-weight humic acids (300-600 Da) and fulvic compounds, as shown in Figure 1.The liquid phase resulting from the HTC process of lignocellulosic biomass (corn stalks) contained a huge number of organic compounds, including polyphenols, humic and fulvic acids, aldehydes, amino acids, and other small organic molecules with potential biostimulant properties for plant growth and protection against abiotic stress, such as drought and nutrients scarcity. Figure 1. (a) HPLC-FLD-MS analyses of the liquid phase from the hydrothermal process and (b) MS spectrum of the humic components.

In the field of water depollution, considerable attention in past years was given to bio-based and [...]