1. A Sustainable Route From Quartz to Bifunctional Material with Adsorbed Lanthanides for Enhanced Fluorescent Activation in Doxycycline SensingO. Semeshko, Maksym Fizer, Valeriia V. Sliesarenko, Jaroslav Briančin, Oleksandr Bondarchuk, Aleksandra Lobnik, Inna V. Melnyk, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: A nanosized bifunctional adsorbent with diamino and phenyl groups on its surface is synthesized through the functionalization of silica derived from quartz. The composition, morphology, and particle size of the functionalized silica are characterized using various physicochemical methods. The material demonstrates high sorption properties for La(III) and Ce(III), both found in Ni-MH batteries, as well as Eu(III). The synthesized functionalized silica, with adsorbed lanthanides, is employed for sensor-based detection of doxycycline in aqueous solutions. Keywords: Lanthanides, adsorption, doxycycline sensing, ethylenediamine groups, phenyl groups, quartz, rare earth ions, silica particles, nanosized bifunctional adsorbent, functionalization of silica, sensor-based detection Published in DKUM: 27.08.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 2
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2. Magnetic separation of oil spills from water using cobalt ferrite nanoparticles with fluorocarbon functionalizationAljoša Košak, Ajra Hadela, Mojca Poberžnik, Aleksandra Lobnik, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: In the present study, we synthesized fluorocarbon-coated cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4) magnetic nanoparticles using alkoxysilanes such as trimethoxy(3,3,3-trifluoropropyl)silane (TFPTMS), trimethoxy(1H,1H,2H,2H-nonafluorohexyl)silane (NFHTMS), and triethoxy(1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorodecyl)silane (PFDTES). The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by various techniques, including X-ray diffractometry (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM/HRTEM/EDXS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), specific surface area measurements (BET), and magnetometry (VSM). To understand their surface characteristics, contact angle (CA) measurements were carried out, providing valuable insights into their hydrophobic properties. Among the samples of CoFe2O4 coated with fluoroalkoxysilanes, those with PFDTES surface coating had the highest water contact angle of 159.2°, indicating their superhydrophobic character. The potential of the prepared fluoroalkoxysilane-coated CoFe2O4 nanoparticles for the removal of waste low-SAPS synthetic engine oil from a model aqueous solution was evaluated based on three key parameters: adsorption efficiency (%), adsorption capacity (mg/g), and desorption efficiency (%). All synthesized CoFe2O4 samples coated with fluoroalkoxysilane showed high oil adsorption efficiency, ranging from 87% to 98%. The average oil adsorption capacity for the samples was as follows: F3-SiO2@CoFe2O4 (3.1 g of oil/g of adsorbent) > F9-SiO2@CoFe2O4 (2.7 g of oil/g of adsorbent) > F17-SiO2@CoFe2O4 (1.5 g of oil/g of adsorbent) as a result of increasing oleophobicity with increasing fluorocarbon chain length. The desorption results, which showed 77–97% oil recovery, highlighted the possibility of reusing the adsorbents in multiple adsorption/desorption cycles. Keywords: cobalt ferrite, spinel, fluorocarbons, oil spill, adsorption, hydrophobicity, oleophobicity, water remediation Published in DKUM: 06.08.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 10
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3. Chlorpyrifos detection based on 9-fluorenone oximeEdoardo Donà, Aleksandra Lobnik, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: Chlorpyrifos is one of the most toxic organophosphate pesticides, prompting its ban in Europe in 2020. Consequently, developing a detection method that is both selective and sensitive is essential for protecting human health and the environment. In this study, we report for the first time a fluorescent probe based on an oxime for the direct detection of chlorpyrifos. 9-fluorenone oxime, upon deprotonation with a phosphazene base, undergoes a nucleophilic attack on chlorpyrifos, resulting in a significant alteration of its fluorescence properties. Following careful optimization, the method demonstrated excellent linearity (R2 = 0.98) over a concentration range of 350 to 6980 μg/L, with a limit of detection of 15.5 μg/L. Furthermore, the probe was successfully applied to chlorpyrifos detection in water samples, yielding satisfactory results. This approach effectively overcomes the stability limitations of enzyme-based fluorescent sensors, offering a robust and innovative solution for the detection of organophosphate pesticides. Keywords: organophosphate pesticide, chlorpyrifos, fluorenone oxime, fluorescence, phosphazene Published in DKUM: 27.05.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 6
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4. Enhanced photothermal based-heat retention in regenerated cellulose fibers via ceramic particles and polyelectrolyte binders-based surface functionalizationÖzkan Yapar, Ajra Hadela, Alenka Ojstršek, Aleksandra Lobnik, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: : There has been growing interest and increasing attention in the field of functional clothing textiles, particularly in product and process development, as well as innovations in heat-generating, retaining, and releasing fibers to maintain a healthy body temperature without relying on unsustainable energy sources. This study, for the first time, reports the various physio-mechanical properties of surface-functionalized regenerated cellulose fibers (RCFs) coated with ceramic particles. The coating imparts photothermal conversion-based heat generation and retention properties with the aid of polyelectrolyte binders. In this design, ZrC enables the conversion of light energy into thermal energy, providing heat for the human body. A feasible coating process was employed, utilizing industrially feasible exhaustion methods to deposit the ZrC particles onto the RCF surface in conjunction with two distinctive polymeric binders, specifically polyethyleneimine (PEI) and polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride (polyDADMAC). The morphological characteristics and tensile properties of the coated RCFs were analyzed via scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and single-fiber tensile testing. Heat retention and release behaviors of a bundle of fiber samples were assessed using infrared (IR) imaging and an IR emission lamp setup. The SEM results confirmed the successful coating of the ZrC particles on the surface of the RCF samples, influencing negligible on their physical–mechanical properties. The heat retention of the coated RCFs with ZrC and both binders was higher than that of reference regenerated cellulose fibers (RCFs), demonstrating their effective heat generation, retention, and heat release properties. Based on the highlighted prominent results for the coated RCFs, these findings highlight the suitability of the developed functional clothing textiles for targeted applications in non-extreme thermal conditions, ensuring thermo-physiological comfort by maintaining body temperature within a tolerable thermal range (36.5–37.5 ◦C), in contrast to studies reporting significantly higher temperatures (50–78 ◦C) for extreme thermal conditions. Keywords: regenerated cellulose fibers, RCFs, ceramic particles, zirconium carbide, ZrC, surface functionalization, heat generation and retention Published in DKUM: 01.04.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 136
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5. Experimental and mathematical investigation of anaerobic granulate density via settling velocityAljaž Klasinc, Gregor Drago Zupančič, Matjaž Hriberšek, Aleš Hribernik, Aleksandra Lobnik, Matej Zadravec, 2022, original scientific article Abstract: The objective of this study was to determine the density of anaerobic granules on different
heights of a full-scale Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Bed reactor. The density was defined through the
settling velocities of anaerobic granules, measured in a full-scale Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Bed
reactor. In this study, granular density was calculated with the measured settling velocities and
developed mathematical model. The developed mathematical model is based on the Stokes model.
In the experiment, granules were taken from different heights of an Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Bed
reactor, from 0.6 to 7.6 m. The granules’ diameters varied between 1 and 5 mm. The granules were
taken from six different heights through the reactor. The settling velocity of the active granules
(with gas in the granule pore and on the surface of the granule) was measured first. After the active
granules’ settling velocity measurement, the granules were placed in a vortex to obtain degassed
granules (granules without any gas in the pores or on the surface), for which the settling velocities
were also measured later. It is shown that granules’ densities at different heights are independent of
the reactor height. Keywords: Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Bed reactor, microstructure, anaerobic granular sludge, settling velocity, density Published in DKUM: 26.03.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 10
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6. Development of fluorescence-based method for dopamine determination using o-phthaldialdehyde and 3-mercaptopropyltriethoxysilaneValeriia V. Sliesarenko, Marijana Krstić, Urban Bren, Aleksandra Lobnik, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: Nanomaterials and sensors play an important role in modern technologies, including medical diagnostics and biochemical research. This work presents the possibility of using o-Phthaldialdehyde (OPA) in combination with 3-mercaptopropyltriethoxysilane (MPTES) to develop a dopamine-responsive sensor. During the experiment, these materials were used at different pH and ratios to determine the optimal parameters for obtaining high fluorescence intensity of the reaction product. The data obtained demonstrate a linear relationship between the fluorescence response (λex/λem = 340/460 nm) of OPA/MPTES and dopamine concentration in the range of 0.1–3.0 µM at a pH of 8, and the detection limit was 8.7 nM. The obtained results confirm the potential of OPA/MPTES as a sensing component for the detection of dopamine Keywords: fluorometric method, dopamine, o-phthalaldehyde Published in DKUM: 13.03.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 5
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7. Dimethoate detection through a fluorescent coumarin dyeEdoardo Donà, Gerhard J. Mohr, Aleksandra Lobnik, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: In this study, we present a straightforward and innovative approach utilizing a coumarin fluorescent dye for the detection of dimethoate in green tea. Initially, the pesticide undergoes hydrolysis in a NaOH solution, yielding our target analyte, methylamine. Following neutralization to pH 9, methylamine reacts with the dye in CH3CN for 20 min. After a careful optimization, we achieved an outstanding linear correlation (R2 = 0.999) for dimethoate, spanning concentrations from 7.8 to 292 µg/L and LOD of 3.2 µg/L. Moreover, we successfully detected dimethoate in green tea, with a recovery of 95.4% (σ = 5.7%). Organophosphates pesticides (OPs), which dimethoate is one of the most used, pose a significant threat due to their toxicity upon both high direct exposure and prolonged low-level exposure, which has been linked to cancer. Therefore, the development of a detection method that is both selective and sensitive is imperative for safeguarding both the population and the environment. This method effectively addresses the stability challenges encountered by enzyme-based fluorescent sensors, thereby opening new avenues for the detection of organophosphate pesticides. Keywords: organophosphate pesticide, methylamine, coumarin, fluorescence detection, dimethoate, TICT, twisted intramolecular charge transfer Published in DKUM: 20.12.2024; Views: 0; Downloads: 5
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8. Microfibres and coliforms determination and removal from wastewater treatment effluentJolanda Rihter Pikl, Aleksandra Lobnik, Milenko Roš, Hakim El Khiar, Nataša Uranjek, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: The research aim was to remove as many microfibres, microplastics and harmful bacteria as possible from the
polluted water to produce suitable water for reuse. The test water was the effluent from the municipal wastewater treatment plant in Shalek Valley. A pilot plant with a ceramic SiC filter for membrane filtration and
ozonation of filtered water was set up to remove suspended solids, micro-fibres, microplastics, and harmful
microorganisms. The Microfibers Detection System was developed to identify microfibers on-site. The results
showed that the microfiltration system combined with ozone treatment effectively removed total suspended
solids, microfibres, microplastics and microorganisms. A detection system method for identifying microfibres and
microplastic particles was used to determine how many microfibres and microorganisms were identified by
membrane filtration and ozonation. The study showed that membrane filtration successfully removed all
microfibres, 88% of total coliforms and 93% of E. coli. After additional ozonation, we achieved a 100% removal
rate of total coliforms and a 100% removal rate of E. coli. The treated water (effluent from the municipal
wastewater treatment plant) can be used for specific purposes, such as agricultural irrigation or enhancing
bathing waters near the plant’s water effluent. Keywords: microfibres removal, microplastics, microfiltration, ozonation, water reuse Published in DKUM: 26.09.2024; Views: 0; Downloads: 304
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9. Sustainable All-Cellulose Biocomposites from Renewable Biomass Resources Fabricated in a Water-Based Processing System by the Vacuum-Filtration-Assisted Impregnation MethodÖzkan Yapar, Petteri Piltonen, Ajra Hadela, Aleksandra Lobnik, 2024, original scientific article Keywords: all-cellulose composites, NaOH/urea/water solvent system, full dissolution of cellulose, dissolving pulp, regenerated cellulose Published in DKUM: 16.07.2024; Views: 125; Downloads: 38
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10. Fluorescence based dopamine detectionValeriia V. Sliesarenko, Urban Bren, Aleksandra Lobnik, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: Dopamine is an important hormone and neurotransmitter, and its levels in human fluids can indicate stress, depression, and various mental disorders. Food products, as well as medications, affect its level in the human body greatly. Therefore, dopamine monitoring is crucial, and necessary for improving the quality of life. The priority is to search for simple and environmentally friendly sensor systems for the in vitro detection of dopamine, enabling mass utilization. In this study, we explored the use of o-phthalaldehyde (OPA) as an indicator for the detection of dopamine, with fluorescence in the visible range (λex/λem = 390/455 nm), while direct dopamine fluorescence measurement was in the UV range (λex/λem = 280/320 nm). The longer excitation/emission wavelengths of dopamine-OPA complex, as well as lower detection limits, are useful for developing a simple detection method using LEDs. Three types of poloxamers were tested as additives to improve the fluorescence signal from the reaction between dopamine and OPA. Pluronic F127 led to a 16-fold increase in the fluorescence. Utilizing 4% Pluronic F127 with OPA at pH 7 resulted in a linear response within concentration ranges of dopamine (0.5–3 µM), achieving a limit of detection of 0.015 µM. In contrast, a direct detection of dopamine within the same range exhibited a detection limit of 0.13 µM. Keywords: fluorometric method, dopamine, O-phthalaldehyde, Pluronic F127 Published in DKUM: 28.05.2024; Views: 317; Downloads: 38
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