RETRACTED: High performance polymeric flocculants based on modified polysaccharides-Microwave assisted synthesis

Area of Science:

• Polymer Science
• Materials Science
• Scientific Publishing Ethics

Background:

• Figures within the article, specifically panels PAM, SAG, and CMS-g-PAM (M) of Figure 1, were found to be non-original.
• Panel PAM from Figure 1 showed similarities to figures in previously published works in the International Journal of Biological Macromolecules and Carbohydrate Polymers.
• Panels SAG and SAG-g-PAM (M) from Figure 1 were similar to figures in a publication in the Journal of Applied Polymer Science.

Purpose of the Study:

• To address concerns regarding the originality of figures presented in the publication.
• To uphold the integrity of scientific publishing and ensure proper citation of previously published data.

Main Methods:

• Comparative analysis of figures from the current article with those from previously published research.
• Investigation of potential duplicate or reused imagery in scientific figures.

Main Results:

• The article has been officially retracted by the Editor-in-Chief.
• Significant overlap and similarity were identified between figures in this article and figures from multiple prior publications by the same authors.
• The identified issues indicate a violation of the policy requiring original and uncited material.

Conclusions:

• The article represents a misuse of the scientific publishing system due to the reuse of figures without appropriate citation.
• The journal apologizes to its readers for the failure to detect these issues during the submission process.
• Retraction serves to maintain scientific integrity and prevent the dissemination of misleading or unoriginal research.