The toxicity and non‐biodegradation of heavy metals, as well as their tendency to accumulate in the soils, water resources and the living organisms, makes them the significant environmental pollutants. Therefore, the reduction and elimination of heavy metal ions from aqueous systems is very important from the ecological, nutritional and environmental reasons. The aim of this study is to investigate whether the natural peanut husks, an agricultural waste, and their chemically modified form are capable to remove Ni(II) ions from aqueous solutions using batch method and to compare their efficiency. The effects of the mass of the natural peanut husks and the initial pH of the solution were studied to find the optimal conditions for maximal removal of Ni(II) ions. MATLAB/Curve Fitting Toolbox was implemented to determine the adequate adsorption isotherm as well as to optimise the equilibrium state of the investigated systems.

The literature review of the developments of nanomaterials, application methods, their anti-viral activity confirmed the importance and highlighted the contribution of nanostructures in fighting the corona virus. In order to improve and enhanced the protection function of the facemasks against different viruses, especially last one SARS-CoV-2 (Covid 19), various nanostructures were used, fabricated and modified for that purpose. Among the others, special attention was given on carbon based (carbon nanotubes and graphene) and nano silver, TiO2, iron and cooper with antiviral and antibacterial effects. In this paper, an overview will be presented on several nanostructures used in the facemasks for preventing the spread and protection of Covid 19.

The subject of this research work was to analyze the structural and morphological changes of TiO2 as a result of incorporation of CNTs and interpret the underlying principles for the observed interactions. Hybrid TiO2/CNTs nanostructures were prepared by simplified sol-gel method followed by monitoring the thermally-induced alterations occurring up to 400 ºC. The effects of different type of CNTs (activated MWCNTs and as prepared SWCNTs) as well as the variation of the content of MWCNTs in association with the metal-dopant (Pt or Co) influencing the structural parameters of TiO2 was monitored. Addition of CNTs and metallic phase causes reduction of TiO2 (anatase) crystallite size. The applied instrumental techniques such as XRPD, Raman spectroscopy and thermal (TG, DTA and DTG) analysis points out on achieved interaction between TiO2 and incorporated CNTs. Morphological changes, observed from the SEM micrographs, revealed better inter-locking of the TiO2 matrix with SWCNTs than with MWCNTs. Formation of a more structurally disordered and non-stoichiometric anatase phase seemed to be a preferred choice for the obtained TiO2-CNT-metalic phase nanocomposites for further utilization in sensor-design products.

The processes of generation, management, treatment and disposal of fly ash industrial waste particles, all over the world, were considered as serious issues of solid waste. The subject of this research work was to create and to characterize the Fly ash/Chitosan composites aimed for heavy metal adsorption in polluted waters. Three different types of fly ash waste particles were used, two types supplied from EURONICKEL and one supplied from OSLOMEJ, Macedonia. The surface of the fly ash (FA) particles was modified by treated with nitric acid (HNO3). Several types of composite adsorbents were prepared using the chitosan as a polymer matrix. The characterization of the metallurgical waste particles was performed by XRF, XRD, TGA, SEM and FTIR analysis, while the obtained composites were tested by TGA, SEM and FTIR analysis. It was observed that the structure, morphology, and some other characteristics of FA particles have been significantly changed after treatment with chitosan and it is expected that it will improve their adsorption capacity of heavy metal ions.