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Sustain. Chem., Volume 6, Issue 4 (December 2025) – 2 articles

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14 pages, 1252 KB  
Article
Reduction in Chemical Oxygen Demand of Effluents from the Confectionery Sector of Agroindustry Using the Fenton Process
by Maiara A. P. Frigulio, Angélica G. Morales, Felipe A. Santos and Juliane C. Forti
Sustain. Chem. 2025, 6(4), 32; https://doi.org/10.3390/suschem6040032 - 25 Sep 2025
Abstract
The confectionery industry produces effluents with diverse and complex compositions and high organic loads, which are typically not treated by conventional treatment plants. In this context, the Fenton process presents itself as an advanced chemical treatment alternative due to its ease of application, [...] Read more.
The confectionery industry produces effluents with diverse and complex compositions and high organic loads, which are typically not treated by conventional treatment plants. In this context, the Fenton process presents itself as an advanced chemical treatment alternative due to its ease of application, cost-effectiveness, and ability to improve the degradability of challenging effluents. This study addressed the question: How can Fenton’s reagent be applied as a pretreatment to reduce the organic load in real effluents from the food industry? The research evaluated this chemical pretreatment for effluents from a starch-based gummy candy production process, aiming to reduce the organic load and aid subsequent conventional treatments. Parameters such as COD, total dissolved solids (TDS), temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen, and degrees Brix (°Bx) were monitored before and after 2 and 4 h of pretreatment. The results showed that Fenton pretreatment reduced COD by more than 31%, with efficiency influenced by effluent composition and concentration. This removal can reduce discharge rates and operating costs, providing an economic advantage. The process proved to be a promising pretreatment option, contributing to the initial removal of pollutants and improving the performance of wastewater treatment systems, thus supporting sustainable industrial practices. Full article
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18 pages, 1975 KB  
Article
Designing a Photocatalyst: Relationship Between Surface Species and Specific Production of Desired ROS
by Fabrizio E. Viale, Verónica R. Elías, Tamara B. Benzaquén, Gerardo F. Goya, Griselda A. Eimer and Gabriel O. Ferrero
Sustain. Chem. 2025, 6(4), 31; https://doi.org/10.3390/suschem6040031 - 23 Sep 2025
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Abstract
Bimetallic mesoporous photocatalysts were synthesized via a wet impregnation method using SBA-15 as a support, and characterized by UV–visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, low-angle X-ray diffraction and N2 physisorption. Among the tested materials, the Ti/Mn combination exhibited the highest photocatalytic activity in azo [...] Read more.
Bimetallic mesoporous photocatalysts were synthesized via a wet impregnation method using SBA-15 as a support, and characterized by UV–visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, low-angle X-ray diffraction and N2 physisorption. Among the tested materials, the Ti/Mn combination exhibited the highest photocatalytic activity in azo dye degradation. To understand this enhanced performance, catalysts with varying Mn loads and calcination ramps were evaluated. Additionally, experiments with radical scavengers (isopropanol, chloroform) and under N2 insufflation were conducted to identify the active radical species. Catalysts prepared with low Mn content and higher calcination ramps showed the greatest activity, which significantly decreased with isopropanol, indicating hydroxyl radicals as the main reactive species. In contrast, samples with higher Mn content and quicker heating displayed reduced activity in the presence of chloroform, suggesting superoxide radical involvement. Spectroscopic analyses (XPS, UV–Vis DRS) revealed that increasing Mn load promotes the formation of Mn2+ over Mn4+ species and lowers the band gap energy. These findings highlight the direct correlation between synthesis parameters, surface composition and optical properties, providing a strategy for fine-tuning the performance of a photocatalyst. Full article
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