An unprecedented photocatalyst, Smsub.2EuSbOsub.7, was successfully fabricated in this paper, through a high-temperature solid-state calcination method, which represented its first ever synthesis. ...Additionally, using the solvothermal method, the Smsub.2EuSbOsub.7/ZnBiSbOsub.5 heterojunction photocatalyst (SZHP) was fabricated, marking its debut in this study. XRD analysis confirmed that both Smsub.2EuSbOsub.7 and ZnBiSbOsub.5 exhibited pyrochlore-type crystal structures with a cubic lattice, belonging to the Fd3m space group. The crystal cell parameter was determined to be 10.5682 Å or 10.2943 Å for Smsub.2EuSbOsub.7 or ZnBiSbOsub.5, respectively. The band gap width measured for Smsub.2EuSbOsub.7 or ZnBiSbOsub.5 was 2.73 eV or 2.61 eV, respectively. Under visible light irradiation for 150 min (VLTI-150 min), SZHP exhibited remarkable photocatalytic activity, achieving 100% removal of parathion methyl (PM) concentration and 99.45% removal of total organic carbon (TOC) concentration. The kinetic constant (k) for PM degradation and visible light illumination treatment was determined to be 0.0206 minsup.−1, with a similar constant k of 0.0202 minsup.−1 observed for TOC degradation. Remarkably, SZHP exhibited superior PM removal rates compared with Smsub.2EuSbOsub.7, ZnBiSbOsub.5, or N-doped TiOsub.2 photocatalyst, accompanied by removal rates 1.09 times, 1.20 times, or 2.38 times higher, respectively. Furthermore, the study investigated the oxidizing capability of free radicals through the use of trapping agents. The results showed that hydroxyl radicals had the strongest oxidative capability, followed by superoxide anions and holes. These findings provide a solid scientific foundation for future research and development of efficient heterojunction compound catalysts.
The prevalent utilization of organophosphorus pesticides presents a profound risk to the global environment, necessitating the immediate development of a secure and reliable methodology to mitigate ...this hazard. Photocatalytic technology, through the generation of robust oxidizing free radicals by suitable catalysts, offers a viable solution by effectively oxidizing organophosphorus pesticides, thus preserving environmental well-being. In this study, we successfully synthesized TiOsub.2/WOsub.3 (TO/WO) nanocomposites characterized by oxygen defects and S-scheme heterojunctions, demonstrating superior photocatalytic activity in the degradation of triazophos. Notably, the 60-TO/WO nanocomposite, wherein the proportion of WO comprises 60% of the total, exhibited optimal photocatalytic degradation activity, achieving a degradation rate of 78% within 120 min, and demonstrating exceptional stability, maintaining impressive degradation activity across four cycles. This performance was notably superior to that of standalone TO and WO. The presence of oxygen defects in WO was corroborated by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. The mechanism at the heterojunction of the 60-TO/WO nanocomposite, identified as an S-scheme, was also confirmed by EPR and theoretical computations. Oxygen defects expedite charge transfer and effectively enhance the photocatalytic reaction, while the S-scheme effectively segregates photogenerated electrons and holes, thereby optimizing the photocatalytic oxidation of triazophos. This study introduces a novel nanocomposite material, characterized by oxygen defects and the S-scheme heterojunction, capable of effectively degrading triazophos and promoting environmental health.
Pesticide residues (PR) present in food are potentially toxic components to humans and can be the cause of severe health problems, depending on the means and amounts of individual exposure. Among the ...different routes of pesticide exposure, the most likely exposure is through the direct consumption of fresh foods.
To remove PR from fresh agricultural products and improve food safety for consumers, various pesticide removal methods have been studied in recent decades. Several cleaning techniques such as usage of surfactants, ozone (O3), ionic solvent, and chlorine treatment have been applied to reduce the presence of pesticides. However, none of these methods have been reported as being successful in removing PR without any physical or chemical side effects to the food itself. Therefore, there is a crucial need for investigation of more effective, sustainable, and environment-friendly pest and pesticide removal practices.
Ultrasound-assisted cleaning (UAC) is considered to be an environment-friendly and effective pesticide eliminating process which is unique in its ability to remove the contaminants compared to conventional methods. It is also a time and energy-saving method of cleaning. This review gathers and focuses on the most relevant works on the UAC techniques of organic or inorganic pesticides applied during the growth of fresh vegetables, which are mostly eaten raw or after minimal processing. The findings of the reviewed works suggest that ultrasonication itself would be beneficial as a vegetable-cleaning technology, or could be readily combined with another suitable method.
•Commonly used pesticides in fresh vegetables and their residual effects are studied.•Ultrasound-assisted cleaning and conventional pesticide removing methods are reviewed.•The efficacy of ultrasound sanitizing in the removal of pesticide residue is summarized.•Conceivable ways of achieving synergism effects are recommended.•Scopes and limitations of ultrasonication in removing pesticides are outlined.
This article provides an overview of the basic principles of trunk injection for delivery of crop protection materials as an alternative to spraying. It also describes important tree physiological ...principles to provide an understanding of the delivery process and the tree response to wounding. Photographs and data are provided to support these concepts.
In this article the authors provide an economic assessment of the technology of using unmanned aircraft systems in digital agriculture and justify the optimal requirements for its main technological ...parameters. As a measure of comparative evaluation of various options for implementing the system, an estimate of the cost of performing the technological process of using pesticides, fertilizers and other agrochemicals in conditional price units is proposed. A multi-factor experiment was carried out and variants of a mathematical model describing the relationship between agrotechnological factors and the final resultant, expressed in the conditional cost of processing 1 Ha of agricultural land, were obtained. The optimal values of the parameters are obtained for various variants of fixing factors at the specified levels. The influence of the most significant agrotechnological factors on the cost of the technological process of using pesticides, fertilizers and other agrochemicals is shown. The values of factors that should be used in the development of new types of unmanned aerial vehicles to ensure their maximum demand in agriculture and economic efficiency are proposed.
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