The copper oxide nanoparticles synthesized using Rhatany root extract involves preparing the Rhatany root extract by adding powdered Rhatany roots to boiling water, allowing the mixture to soak overnight, and removing any solid residue by filtering to obtain the aqueous extract. The copper oxide nanoparticles are prepared by mixing equal volumes of the aqueous Rhatany root extract and 0.1 M aqueous copper sulfate, heating the mixture at 80 C. for 40 minutes, and adding 1 M sodium hydroxide dropwise to the mixture to precipitate CuO. The precipitate is removed by centrifuge, washed with ethanol, dried, and calcined at 400 C. for 4 hours to obtain the copper oxide nanoparticles. The resulting nanoparticles proved effective in degrading wastewater dyes, showed anticancer activity against human cervical cancer by cell viability assay, and showed antibacterial activity against various strains of bacteria by agar diffusion.

A three-dimensional lignin porous carbon/zinc oxide composite material and its preparation and application in the field of photocatalysis are disclosed. The method includes preparing a lignin/zinc oxide precursor composite by a hydrothermal method from a zinc salt, a weak alkali salt and an industrial lignin, and preparing a three-dimensional lignin porous carbon/zinc oxide composite material by high temperature calcination of the lignin/zinc oxide precursor composite. The composite material has a regular three-dimensional pore structure, with zinc oxide nanoparticles uniformly embedded among the three-dimensional lignin porous carbon nanosheets. Application of the composite material to the field of photocatalysis, especially as a photocatalyst for photocatalytic degradation of organic dye pollutants, can significantly improve the degradation efficiency and rate, and has potential application value in the field of photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants.

A three-dimensional lignin porous carbon/zinc oxide composite material and its preparation and application in the field of photocatalysis are disclosed. The method includes preparing a lignin/zinc oxide precursor composite by a hydrothermal method from a zinc salt, a weak alkali salt and an industrial lignin, and preparing a three-dimensional lignin porous carbon/zinc oxide composite material by high temperature calcination of the lignin/zinc oxide precursor composite. The composite material has a regular three-dimensional pore structure, with zinc oxide nanoparticles uniformly embedded among the three-dimensional lignin porous carbon nanosheets. Application of the composite material to the field of photocatalysis, especially as a photocatalyst for photocatalytic degradation of organic dye pollutants, can significantly improve the degradation efficiency and rate, and has potential application value in the field of photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants.

Systems and methods for providing alternative fuel, in particular hydrogen photocatalytically generated by a system comprising photoactive nanoparticles and a nitrogenase cofactor are provided. In one aspect, the system includes a water soluble cadmium selenide nanoparticle (CdSe) surface capped with mercaptosuccinate (CdSe-MSA) and a NafY.FeMo-co complex comprising a NafY protein and an iron-molybdenum cofactor (FeMo-co), wherein the CdSe-MSA and NafY.FeMo-co complex are present in about 1:2 to 1:10 molar ratio.

The present invention provides magnetic macroporous polymeric hybrid scaffolds for supporting and enhancing the effectiveness of bionanocatalysts (BNC). The novel scaffolds comprise cross-linked water-insoluble polymers and an approximately uniform distribution of embedded magnetic microparticles (MMP). The cross-linked polymer comprises polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and optionally additional polymeric materials. The scaffolds may take any shape by using a cast during preparation of the scaffolds. Alternatively, the scaffolds may be ground to microparticles for use in biocatalytic reactions. Alternatively, the scaffolds may be shaped as beads for use in biocatalyst reactions. Methods for preparing and using the scaffolds are also provided.

The present invention provides magnetic macroporous polymeric hybrid scaffolds for supporting and enhancing the effectiveness of bionanocatalysts (BNC). The novel scaffolds comprise cross-linked water-insoluble polymers and an approximately uniform distribution of embedded magnetic microparticles (MMP). The cross-linked polymer comprises polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and optionally additional polymeric materials. The scaffolds may take any shape by using a cast during preparation of the scaffolds. Alternatively, the scaffolds may be ground to microparticles for use in biocatalytic reactions. Alternatively, the scaffolds may be shaped as beads for use in biocatalyst reactions. Methods for preparing and using the scaffolds are also provided.

A purification unit includes a first electric conductor, a second electric conductor, and a third electric conductor. At least a part of the first electric conductor is electrically connected to one surface of the third electric conductor, and at least a part of the second electric conductor is electrically connected to the other surface of the third electric conductor. At least a part of the first electric conductor contacts a gas phase including oxygen, and at least a part of the second electric conductor contacts a treatment target. A purification device includes the purification unit, and a treatment tank for holding, in an inside, the purification unit and wastewater to be purified by the purification unit. The purification unit is installed so at least a part of the first electric conductor contacts the gas phase, and at least a part of the second electric conductor contacts the wastewater.

A purification unit includes a first electric conductor, a second electric conductor, and a third electric conductor. At least a part of the first electric conductor is electrically connected to one surface of the third electric conductor, and at least a part of the second electric conductor is electrically connected to the other surface of the third electric conductor. At least a part of the first electric conductor contacts a gas phase including oxygen, and at least a part of the second electric conductor contacts a treatment target. A purification device includes the purification unit, and a treatment tank for holding, in an inside, the purification unit and wastewater to be purified by the purification unit. The purification unit is installed so at least a part of the first electric conductor contacts the gas phase, and at least a part of the second electric conductor contacts the wastewater.

A purification unit includes a first electric conductor and a second electric conductor that contacts the first electric conductor. The first electric conductor includes a junction composed of a contact surface with the second electric conductor and an electronic connection section that conducts electrons from the junction to a catalyst. The second electric conductor includes a junction composed of a contact surface with the first electric conductor and an electronic connection section that conducts electrons, which moves from microorganisms to the second electric conductor, to the junction. The electronic connection section of the first electric conductor has higher electrical resistivity than the junction of the first electric conductor, and/or the electronic connection section of the second electric conductor has higher electrical resistivity than the junction of the second electric conductor. The first electric conductor contacts a gas phase including oxygen, and the second electric conductor contacts a treatment target.

A purification unit includes a first electric conductor and a second electric conductor that contacts the first electric conductor. The first electric conductor includes a junction composed of a contact surface with the second electric conductor and an electronic connection section that conducts electrons from the junction to a catalyst. The second electric conductor includes a junction composed of a contact surface with the first electric conductor and an electronic connection section that conducts electrons, which moves from microorganisms to the second electric conductor, to the junction. The electronic connection section of the first electric conductor has higher electrical resistivity than the junction of the first electric conductor, and/or the electronic connection section of the second electric conductor has higher electrical resistivity than the junction of the second electric conductor. The first electric conductor contacts a gas phase including oxygen, and the second electric conductor contacts a treatment target.