Rund Abu-Zurayk

The extensive buildup of plastic waste has become a significant environmental issue, especially due to the conversion of microplastics (MPs) into nanoplastics (NPs). In this review, we address the critical processes that lead to the fragmentation of MPs into NPs, including physical, chemical, and biological degradation mechanisms such as UV radiation, mechanical wear, and microbial activities in wastewater treatment systems, soils, and aquatic habitats. We place a strong focus on the analytical and methodological challenges encountered in detecting and characterizing NPs, highlighting the limitations of existing instrumentation, the absence of standardized protocols, and discrepancies in reporting metrics. Additionally, we explore the environmental behavior of NPs within the plastisphere and their interactions with co-contaminants, including heavy metals, persistent organic pollutants (POPs), and pathogenic microorganisms. Current understanding of the ecological and human health risks related to inhalation and ingestion exposure pathways is also summarized, with a focus on the uncertainties and gaps in toxicological data. Lastly, we emphasize key research gaps and future directions to facilitate the development of standardized assessment strategies and enhance the comprehension of nanoplastic risks.

The global push for sustainability has sped up the shift from petroleum-based polymers to green polymer nanocomposites (GPNCs). These materials combine bio-based or biodegradable polymers with nanoscale reinforcements to boost performance and lessen environmental impact. This review discusses synthesis methods, structure–property relationships, and industrial uses of GPNCs. Natural polymers like starch, cellulose, chitosan, and alginate, along with bioplastics such as PLA, PHA, PBS, and PCL, offer biodegradability but have limited mechanical strength. This issue can be significantly addressed by adding nanofillers, like nanoclays, CNCs, nanofibers, biochar, and carbon materials. For example, the addition of nanofillers increased the modulus by (60-70)%, while surface-functionalized nanofillers enhanced interfacial bonding, and hybrid fillers blend stiffness with flexibility, resulting in a 200% increase in elongation at break. Some metal nanoparticles offer antimicrobial properties in which cell viability went down to less than 10% upon addition of nanofillers, or photocatalytic benefits, achieving 100% photocatalytic efficiency, with safety carefully evaluated. Advances in fabrication methods, including solution casting, melt compounding, in situ polymerization, electrospinning, and 3D printing, improve scalability and nanofiller distribution. Including nanofillers boosts mechanical and thermal properties for high-performance packaging. GPNCs are increasingly important in sectors: in packaging, for improved film strength; in automotive and aerospace, for lightweight designs; in construction, for coatings and structural parts; in water treatment, via enhanced membranes; and in biomedical devices, due to biocompatibility. GPNCs promote sustainability by utilizing waste, reducing energy use, and enabling recyclability or biodegradability, supporting circular economy goals. They meet regulatory defmands like the European Green Deal and EPR. Challenges include higher costs of bio-polymers and nanofillers, processing complexity, need for standardized testing, and toxicity concerns for certain nanomaterials. Despite these, green nanocomposites blend innovation and environmental responsibility, crucial for a sustainable future, with ongoing research promising broader industrial adoption.

The growing demand for efficient, sustainable water treatment technologies has driven the development of thin-film nanocomposite (TFN) membranes, which offer improved selectivity and permeability. In this research, high-performance TFN membranes were produced by embedding amine-functionalized zirconium-based metal–organic framework (UiO-66-NH ₂ ) nanoparticles into a polyamide active layer created via interfacial polymerization of trimesoyl chloride (TMC) and trans -1,4-diaminocyclohexane (CHDA). A polyethersulfone (PES) ultrafiltration membrane provided a durable and compatible support. Comprehensive characterization with SEM, AFM, XRD, and FTIR confirmed successful nanoparticle integration and uniform membrane structure. At an optimal UiO-66-NH ₂ content of 0.05 wt%, the membrane showed enhanced performance, with notably reduced surface roughness and increased permeability. Water flux increased from 8.65 to 305.4 LMH, while dye flux rose from 8.6 to 225 LMH, all maintaining a dye rejection rate of 97.5% at 10 bar pressure. At a higher nanoparticle load (0.1 wt%), agglomeration led to decreased permeability, though selectivity remained high. These findings highlight the importance of balancing nanoparticle dispersion and loading for optimal membrane performance. Incorporating UiO-66-NH ₂ into the polyamide enhances hydrophilicity and flux without compromising the structural stability needed for long-term use. This study demonstrates the potential of MOF-based TFN membranes for advanced dye wastewater treatment, textile effluent management, and other separation processes in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. The scalable fabrication method and compatibility with standard membrane systems make this approach highly practical for industry, especially in regions facing water shortages and strict effluent regulations.

Growing concerns about the environmental and health risks of traditional chemical nanoparticle synthesis have increased interest in greener alternatives. Natural materials like honey offer a sustainable, non-toxic method by leveraging their reducing and stabilizing properties. This study develops an eco-friendly synthesis of magnetite (Fe ₃ O ₄ ) nanoparticles using Jordanian honey and tests their ability to remove arsenic (As(III)) and lead (Pb ²⁺ ) from contaminated water. Magnetite was produced via co-precipitation of ferric and ferrous chlorides in a 2:1 molar ratio. Honey was added as a natural reducing and stabilizing agent under nitrogen. The nanoparticles were magnetically separated, purified, and characterized x-ray diffraction (XRD), x-ray fluorescence (XRF), and Fourier- transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) examined their shape and size, while Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis measured the specific surface area. Zeta potential measurements evaluated particle size and charge. Batch adsorption tests showed the nanoparticles’ effectiveness, with kinetic data fitting common models. Characterization confirmed pure magnetite formation, spherical particles of 54 nm, and a specific surface area of 64 m ² g ⁻¹ . Zeta potential was +23.17 mV, indicating stability and enhanced adsorption. The nanoparticles achieved complete arsenic removal and 98% lead removal. Kinetic modeling identified chemisorption as the main mechanism. This study demonstrates Jordanian honey as an eco-friendly reagent for producing high-purity, magnetically recoverable Fe ₃ O ₄ nanoparticles with high adsorption capacity and stability, making them ideal for sustainable wastewater treatment.

Origanum petraeum Danin, an endemic medicinal shrub from Jordan, belongs to the Lamiaceae family and possesses significant pharmaceutical potential, yet its secondary metabolite profile remains largely unexplored. This study evaluated the effects of two types of nanoparticles, silver (Ag) and copper (Cu), on in vitro propagation and secondary metabolite composition in O. petraeum microshoots. Sterilized buds were used to initiate in vitro cultures on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with gibberellic acid (GA₃) at 0.5 mg/L. Microshoots were treated with nanoparticles at concentrations of 0, 25, 50, 100, and 150 mg/L. AgNPs at 100 mg/L promoted growth, increasing the number of microshoots to 11.6 and shoot height to 9.22 cm. Transmission electron microscopy confirmed nanoparticle uptake and translocation, with AgNPs observed in root cells as small particles (≤24.63 nm), while CuNPs formed aggregates in leaves (47.71 nm). GC-MS analysis revealed that nanoparticles altered the volatile composition; 50 mg/L CuNPs enhanced monoterpenes, including α-terpinyl acetate (29.23%) and geranyl acetate (12.76%), whereas 50 mg/L AgNPs increased sesquiterpenes, such as caryophyllene oxide (28.45%). Control in vitro cultures without nanoparticles showed simpler profiles dominated by caryophyllene oxide, while wild plants contained both monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes, with eudesm-7(11)-en-4-ol (25.10%) as the major compound. Nutrient analysis indicated that nanoparticles influenced nutrient composition in microshoots. This study is the first to report nanoparticle-assisted growth and essential oil composition in O. petraeum, demonstrating their potential to enhance growth and secondary metabolite production for pharmacological and biotechnological applications.

The treatment of oily wastewater poses a significant environmental challenge, creating a demand for advanced separation technologies. Membrane technologies, especially ultrafiltration (UF), offer a promising solution. A novel composite polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and polypyrrole (PPy) membrane was created via an in situ polymerization method, which enhances the membrane’s functionality by combining the chemical stability of PVDF with the outstanding properties of PPy, through a simple two-step process that decreases manufacturing costs. The PPy content in the PVDF matrix varies from 0 to 1.5 wt%. The membranes were analyzed for their structure, morphology, hydrophilicity, porosity, mechanical strength, flux, oil rejection, and antifouling performance. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the successful integration of PPy, which increased hydrophilicity; the contact angle dropped from 68° for pure PVDF to 55.6° at a 1.5% PPy concentration. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images showed an evident increase in surface porosity and macrovoid formation; calculated porosity increased from 59.5% to 79.9%, and the hydraulic pore size increased from 2.8 nm to 28.5 nm with 1.5% PPy. Although porosity improved, mechanical strength decreased due to the formation of voids. The enhancement in hydrophilicity and porosity resulted in improved flux recovery (FR), with the PP-1 membrane achieving 93% FR and 93% fouling resistance (Rt), indicating an optimal balance for practical use. These modified membranes successfully reduce fouling, making them easier to clean in oil–water separation applications. PP-1 showed only a reduction in flux but maintained an oil rejection rate over 99%, demonstrating high stability. This combination of PVDF’s durability and PPy’s functionality makes a cost-effective, high-performance membrane that transforms oil/water separation processes for sustainable water security.

Polyethersulfone (PES) membranes are essential in separation processes; however, their inherent hydrophobicity can limit their effectiveness in water-intensive applications. This study aims to enhance PES membranes by modifying them with a NiFe₂O₄–nanoclay composite nanoparticle to improve both their hydrophilicity and photocatalytic potential as a photocatalytic membrane. The nanoparticles were synthesized using the sol–gel auto-combustion method and incorporated into PES membranes through mixed-matrix embedding (1 wt% and 3 wt%) and surface coating. X-ray diffraction confirmed the cubic spinel structure of the composite nanoparticles, which followed the second order kinetic reaction during the photodegradation–adsorption of crystal violet. The mixed-matrix membranes displayed a remarkable 170% increase in water flux and a 25% improvement in mechanical strength, accompanied by a slight decrease in contact angle at 1 wt% of nanoparticle loading. In contrast, the surface-coated membranes demonstrated a significant reduction in contact angle to 18°, indicating a highly hydrophilic surface and increased roughness. All membranes achieved high dye removal rates of 98–99%, but only the coated membrane system exhibited approximately 50% photocatalytic degradation, following mixed kinetics. These results highlight the critical importance of surface modification in advancing PES membranes, as it significantly reduces fouling and enhances water–material interaction qualities essential for future filtration and photocatalytic applications. Exploring hybrid strategies that combine both embedding and coating approaches may yield even greater synergies in membrane functionality.