ChemSusChemPub Date : 2025-09-02DOI: 10.1002/cssc.202500383
Pauline Servajon, Célia Doublet, Arno Villalbi, Laure Lavernot, Lauréline Lecarme, Nicolas Sergent, Claire Villevieille, Fannie Alloin
{"title":"Lithium 2-trifluoromethyl-4,5-dicyanoimidazole (LiTDI) as an Alternative Salt for Aqueous Li-Ion Batteries.","authors":"Pauline Servajon, Célia Doublet, Arno Villalbi, Laure Lavernot, Lauréline Lecarme, Nicolas Sergent, Claire Villevieille, Fannie Alloin","doi":"10.1002/cssc.202500383","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/cssc.202500383","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Water-in-salt batteries have emerged as promising candidates for electrochemical storage systems, due to their enhanced safety and low cost compared to conventional Li-ion batteries. However, to date, they relied on very high salt concentrations (mostly LiTFSI salt), meaning that they remain an expensive solution for storage application. LiTDI has previously been reported to act as a water scavenger agent in organic-based electrolyte. Herein, a comprehensive investigation of LiTDI as a potential alternative salt for aqueous batteries is conducted. Although LiTDI exhibits lower electrochemical performance compared to LiTFSI, it enables high ionic conductivity at lower concentrations showing good ability for aqueous battery. Furthermore, it sustains an electrochemical stability window of ≈2.5 V, indicating its potential as a more cost-effective option for aqueous-based high-voltage electrolyte formulations.</p>","PeriodicalId":149,"journal":{"name":"ChemSusChem","volume":" ","pages":"e202500383"},"PeriodicalIF":6.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144937184","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
ChemSusChemPub Date : 2025-09-02DOI: 10.1002/cssc.70083
Jan J. Wiesfeld, Keisuke Iriba, Satoshi Suganuma, Emiel J. M. Hensen, Ryota Osuga, Kiyotaka Nakajima
{"title":"Cover Feature: Bio-Based Phenol from Cashew Nutshells by Catalytic Hydrocardanol Trans-Alkylation Using H-ZSM-5 Zeolite (ChemSusChem 17/2025)","authors":"Jan J. Wiesfeld, Keisuke Iriba, Satoshi Suganuma, Emiel J. M. Hensen, Ryota Osuga, Kiyotaka Nakajima","doi":"10.1002/cssc.70083","DOIUrl":"10.1002/cssc.70083","url":null,"abstract":"<p><b>The Cover Feature</b> illustrates the production of bio-based phenol through the trans-alkylation of hydrocardanol—extracted from cashew nutshell liquid—with toluene. Phenol can be efficiently and continuously produced by using the unique microporosity and acidity of zeolite catalysts. This study demonstrates the potential to significantly contribute to carbon neutrality by synthesizing bio-based phenol from agricultural waste. More information can be found in the Research Article by R. Osuga, K. Nakajima and co-workers (DOI: 10.1002/cssc.202500401).\u0000 <figure>\u0000 <div><picture>\u0000 <source></source></picture><p></p>\u0000 </div>\u0000 </figure></p>","PeriodicalId":149,"journal":{"name":"ChemSusChem","volume":"18 17","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://chemistry-europe.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/cssc.70083","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144927594","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
ChemSusChemPub Date : 2025-09-02DOI: 10.1002/cssc.202501366
Jianping Bai, Xinhai Cai, Xin Liu, Nirala Singh, Libo Yao
{"title":"Recent Advances in Microenvironment Engineering for Selective Electrochemical C-N Coupling.","authors":"Jianping Bai, Xinhai Cai, Xin Liu, Nirala Singh, Libo Yao","doi":"10.1002/cssc.202501366","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/cssc.202501366","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Electrochemical C-N coupling via the coreduction of CO<sub>2</sub> and nitrogenous species (N<sub>2</sub>/NO<sub>x</sub>) presents a sustainable route to synthesize value-added C-N compounds under mild conditions. However, competing pathways and mismatched intermediate kinetics hinder the selective formation of products like urea, amines, and amides. Recent advances reveal that rational modulation of the electrochemical microenvironment can effectively steer reaction pathways and stabilize coupling-relevant intermediates. This review systematically summarizes how microenvironment engineering, originally developed for CO<sub>2</sub> and NO<sub>x</sub> reduction reactions, can be leveraged to enhance C-N coupling efficiency and selectivity. The key strategies are categorized into 1) catalyst-centered design (e.g., ligand coordination, defect engineering, and morphology control), 2) ionic and electrolyte modifications (e.g., cation/pH effects), and 3) dynamic approaches such as pulsed electrolysis. These methods shape local fields, surface coverage, and mass transport properties, ultimately directing reactants toward cross-coupling over competing routes. By drawing parallels with well-established CO<sub>2</sub>RR/NO<sub>x</sub>RR systems and showcasing emerging examples in C-N coupling, the central role of microenvironment control is highlighted. Finally, a perspectives on strategies to further improve activity, selectivity, and atom economy in future C-N coupling systems are offered.</p>","PeriodicalId":149,"journal":{"name":"ChemSusChem","volume":" ","pages":"e2501366"},"PeriodicalIF":6.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144937242","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
ChemSusChemPub Date : 2025-09-02DOI: 10.1002/cssc.202501350
Xuejiao Wu, Yunhui Liu, Qianxiang Zhou, Bert Sels
{"title":"Toward the Rational Selection of Safe and Sustainable Solvents in Semiconductor Photocatalysis.","authors":"Xuejiao Wu, Yunhui Liu, Qianxiang Zhou, Bert Sels","doi":"10.1002/cssc.202501350","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/cssc.202501350","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Semiconductor photocatalysis has gained recognition for its sustainability and has seen considerable advancements in recent decades. Despite this progress, the critical role of solvents in influencing photocatalytic performance remains underexplored, particularly in the context of safe and sustainable solvent systems. This perspective advocates for a systematic shift toward the use of safe and sustainable solvents and proposes a rational workflow for their selection, moving beyond conventional trial-and-error methods. Key challenges in adopting this approach are discussed, along with future directions that call for coordinated efforts across academia and industry. Central to this vision are the development of a comprehensive solvent database, predictive models for solvent effects, and a standardized safety and sustainability ranking system that integrates both green chemistry metrics and life cycle assessments.</p>","PeriodicalId":149,"journal":{"name":"ChemSusChem","volume":" ","pages":"e2501350"},"PeriodicalIF":6.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144937317","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
ChemSusChemPub Date : 2025-09-02DOI: 10.1002/cssc.202501024
Yuta Takaoka, Euiyoung Choi, Hyo-Young Kim, Jun Tae Song, Han Seul Kim, Motonori Watanabe, Miki Inada, Tatsumi Ishihara
{"title":"Bi-Zr-Modulated CO<sub>2</sub> Microenvironment Enables High-Rate CO<sub>2</sub> Electroreduction.","authors":"Yuta Takaoka, Euiyoung Choi, Hyo-Young Kim, Jun Tae Song, Han Seul Kim, Motonori Watanabe, Miki Inada, Tatsumi Ishihara","doi":"10.1002/cssc.202501024","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/cssc.202501024","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Engineering the local chemical environment is an emerging strategy to enhance the performance of electrochemical CO<sub>2</sub> reduction reactions (CO<sub>2</sub>RR). Bismuth-zirconium composite catalysts (Bi-Zr-KB, where KB = Ketjen Black) are developed to leverage Zr incorporation to modulate the local CO<sub>2</sub> microenvironment in an alkaline flow-cell system. Among the catalysts synthesized with various Bi/Zr ratios, the Bi-Zr-KB sample with a Bi/Zr ratio of 2 demonstrated the highest performance, achieving a current density of -176 mA cm<sup>-2</sup> and a formate Faradaic efficiency of 88% at -0.6 V vs reversible hydrogen electrode; representing a 1.4-fold enhancement over the Bi-only catalyst. Material characterizations (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray absorption near edge structure) confirmed the reduction of Bi species to metallic Bi during electrolysis, while Zr remained chemically stable. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and in situ Raman spectroscopy revealed that Zr incorporation suppresses local pH rise (≈0.3 units lower), facilitating improved CO<sub>2</sub> availability near active sites. Density functional theory calculations using Bi, Bi<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>, and ZrBi models showed interfacial Bi-Zr phases enable uniform CO<sub>2</sub> adsorption and enhanced charge transfer across surface orientation. These findings highlight Zr role in modulating catalyst microenvironment to overcome CO<sub>2</sub> mass transport limitations and achieve high-rate CO<sub>2</sub> conversion to formate.</p>","PeriodicalId":149,"journal":{"name":"ChemSusChem","volume":" ","pages":"e2501024"},"PeriodicalIF":6.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144937183","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
ChemSusChemPub Date : 2025-09-02DOI: 10.1002/cssc.202501347
Frederik Philippi, Margarida Costa Gomes
{"title":"Can Gas Absorption be Tuned in a Multifunctional Ionic Liquid?","authors":"Frederik Philippi, Margarida Costa Gomes","doi":"10.1002/cssc.202501347","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/cssc.202501347","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The challenge of CO<sub>2</sub> separation and management in biogas upgrading processes is addressed, which remains a critical bottleneck when considering biomethane as a competitive and sustainable alternative to natural gas. Ionic liquids offer a promising alternative to existing sorbents due to their negligible volatility and their tunable properties. Herein, a multifunctional phosphonium triazolate ionic liquid capable of reacting reversibly with CO<sub>2</sub> without loss of fluidity through both cation and anion is presented. Using a combination of experiments and reaction models the interplay of different absorption mechanisms is demonstrated at varying temperatures and pressures, which lead to high capacity for CO<sub>2</sub> absorption and excellent selectivity for CO<sub>2</sub> over CH<sub>4</sub>. The multifunctional phosphonium triazolate can be used to prepare a porous ionic liquid with enhanced physical gas absorption by dispersing up to 10% w/w of ZIF-8. The stability and porosity are maintained after CH<sub>4</sub> absorption but are lost upon prolonged exposure to CO<sub>2</sub> due to dissolution of the porous solid. These findings provide crucial insights for the development and modeling of ionic liquid-based absorbents, paving the way for biogas upgrading technologies with reduced carbon footprint.</p>","PeriodicalId":149,"journal":{"name":"ChemSusChem","volume":" ","pages":"e202501347"},"PeriodicalIF":6.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144937236","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
ChemSusChemPub Date : 2025-09-02DOI: 10.1002/cssc.70084
Abhiruchi Sharma, Puneet Gupta
{"title":"Cover Feature: In Silico Studies Show that –OBO Units Bound to Stable Boron Cages in (Y = C/Si) Anions Provide a Desirable Borate-Rich Solid Electrolyte Interface in Ca-Ion Batteries (ChemSusChem 17/2025)","authors":"Abhiruchi Sharma, Puneet Gupta","doi":"10.1002/cssc.70084","DOIUrl":"10.1002/cssc.70084","url":null,"abstract":"<p><b>The Cover Feature</b> shows a calcium-ion battery standing at the center of a cosmos-inspired backdrop, symbolizing promise and power. <span></span><math></math> glides in from the left and accepts electrons from the calcium anode surface. This interaction triggers the transformation of –OBO groups into Ca<sup>2+</sup>-permeable borate species as part of the solid electrolyte interface on the right. Overall, this artwork captures the essence of molecular alchemy for predicting promising electrolytes for calcium ion battery. More information can be found in the Research Article by A. Sharma and P. Gupta (DOI: 10.1002/cssc.202500154).\u0000 <figure>\u0000 <div><picture>\u0000 <source></source></picture><p></p>\u0000 </div>\u0000 </figure></p>","PeriodicalId":149,"journal":{"name":"ChemSusChem","volume":"18 17","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://chemistry-europe.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/cssc.70084","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144927460","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
ChemSusChemPub Date : 2025-09-02DOI: 10.1002/cssc.70085
Dominik Dylong, Johannes Panten, Bernhard Rußbüldt, Peter J. C. Hausoul, Regina Palkovits, Matthias Eisenacher
{"title":"Cover Feature: From Turpentine to (−)-Menthol: A New Approach (ChemSusChem 17/2025)","authors":"Dominik Dylong, Johannes Panten, Bernhard Rußbüldt, Peter J. C. Hausoul, Regina Palkovits, Matthias Eisenacher","doi":"10.1002/cssc.70085","DOIUrl":"10.1002/cssc.70085","url":null,"abstract":"<p><b>The Cover Feature</b> illustrates the shift from traditional (–)-menthol extraction from mint to synthetic menthol production, driven by the rising demand across the pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and food industries. In their Research Article (DOI: 10.1002/cssc.202500515), M. Eisenacher and co-workers introduce an innovative, sustainable synthesis method for (–)-menthol, using renewable turpentine as an alternative to predominantly fossil-based raw materials, offering a greener solution for this key aroma compound.\u0000 <figure>\u0000 <div><picture>\u0000 <source></source></picture><p></p>\u0000 </div>\u0000 </figure></p>","PeriodicalId":149,"journal":{"name":"ChemSusChem","volume":"18 17","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://chemistry-europe.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/cssc.70085","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144927663","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Flexible, Self-supporting PVA/Sodium Lignosulfonate/Polypyrrole Composite Electrospun Film as Electrode Material for Supercapacitors.","authors":"Mengzhen Yan, Siyi Jia, Weifeng Liu, Dongjie Yang, Xueqing Qiu, Jiahui Mo, Yukang Fan, Jingpeng Zhou, Fengshan Zhang","doi":"10.1002/cssc.202501236","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/cssc.202501236","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Flexible, highly conductive, and finely structured conductive materials hold significant promise for applications in flexible supercapacitors. However, the loading effect of conductive active substances and structural design remain critical factors that limit the performance of flexible conductive materials. In this study, polyvinyl alcohol/sodium lignosulfonate (PVA/LS) electrospun films are fabricated and polypyrrole (PPy) particles are loaded onto the surface of the electrospun fibers through in-situ polymerization. By leveraging the abundant sulfonic acid groups in LS, the adsorption force between electrospun fibers and PPy is significantly enhanced. This enhancement ensures the formation of uniform and continuous PPy shell that endows the electrospun film with high conductivity and exceptional electrochemical performance. Furthermore, a stacking method is employed to transform the PVA/LS/PPy film into a three-dimensional thick structure, which significantly increases the areal capacitance. With four layers of stacking, the areal capacitance of the symmetric solid-state supercapacitor assembled by 4(PPy6) reaches 2629.65 mF cm<sup>-2</sup>, which is an impressive increase by a factor of 4.64 compared to the single-layer PPy6. This work presents a simple yet effective approach for preparing self-supporting flexible conductive materials with fine microstructures. Consequently, it provides valuable insights for performance improvement of flexible energy storage devices.</p>","PeriodicalId":149,"journal":{"name":"ChemSusChem","volume":" ","pages":"e202501236"},"PeriodicalIF":6.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144937225","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
ChemSusChemPub Date : 2025-09-01DOI: 10.1002/cssc.202501550
Morgan P Le Dû, David P Kosbahn, Thomas Baier, Julija Reitenbach, Qi Zhong, Apostolos Vagias, Robert Cubitt, Narendra Chaulagain, Karthik Shankar, Hagen Übele, Katharina Krischer, Peter Müller-Buschbaum
{"title":"Platinum-Doped Carbon Nitride-Loaded Poly(N-Isopropylacrylamide) Hydrogel Thin Films for Green Hydrogen Production Systems: Morphological Study for Higher Efficiency.","authors":"Morgan P Le Dû, David P Kosbahn, Thomas Baier, Julija Reitenbach, Qi Zhong, Apostolos Vagias, Robert Cubitt, Narendra Chaulagain, Karthik Shankar, Hagen Übele, Katharina Krischer, Peter Müller-Buschbaum","doi":"10.1002/cssc.202501550","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/cssc.202501550","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Photocatalytic water splitting enables the generation of green hydrogen (H<sub>2</sub>). In this framework, water and sunlight are the sustainable sources. Photocatalyst-loaded hydrogel materials have already shown their potential as a water storage and catalyst host matrix for H<sub>2</sub> production. This study explores the thin film geometry of such systems to demonstrate the scalability of photocatalysis. Graphitic carbon nitride is used as a catalyst and combined with platinum as a co-catalyst. The resulting catalytic centers are introduced in poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) hydrogel thin films. First, the swelling behavior of the resulting hybrid hydrogels is studied under high relative humidity, and the influence of different catalyst loadings is discussed. Then, time-of-flight neutron reflectometry is used to access the vertical material composition inside the hybrid thin film in the dry state, which shows an enrichment layer of catalyst at the substrate-bulk interface. Operando grazing incidence small-angle neutron scattering displays the microscopic changes happening under heavy water (D<sub>2</sub>O) vapor and light irradiation. Next, gas chromatography demonstrates the potential of the studied hydrogel films by determining their H<sub>2</sub> production rates. The recorded H<sub>2</sub> production is correlated to the microstructure analysis and reveals the importance of the observed catalyst enrichment layer.</p>","PeriodicalId":149,"journal":{"name":"ChemSusChem","volume":" ","pages":"e2501550"},"PeriodicalIF":6.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144937194","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}