Materials Today Sustainability最新文献_第7页

Comprehensive insights into agro-industrial waste-derived bacterial cellulose advancing green technologies across industries 对农业工业废物衍生细菌纤维素的全面见解推动了各行各业的绿色技术

IF 7.9 3区材料科学

Materials Today Sustainability Pub Date : 2026-03-01 Epub Date: 2025-12-09 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtsust.2025.101274

Kashif Rasool

{"title":"Comprehensive insights into agro-industrial waste-derived bacterial cellulose advancing green technologies across industries","authors":"Kashif Rasool","doi":"10.1016/j.mtsust.2025.101274","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mtsust.2025.101274","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a high-performance bio-derived material with growing relevance to circular manufacturing in environmental remediation, biodegradable, compostable packaging, biomedical scaffolds, and wearable/flexible electronics. Unlike petroleum plastics and even many plant-cellulose derivatives, BC is secreted as an ultra-pure (>99 %) nanoscale fibrillar network of 20–100 nm size with high crystallinity, tensile strength on the order of 200–400 MPa, tunable porosity, and intrinsic biocompatibility. This review consolidates advances in: (i) CRISPR/base-editing and programmable promoter engineering to boost yield and embed functionality in situ; (ii) intensified and hybrid reactor concepts that overcome oxygen-transfer and shear limitations; and (iii) AI-/ML-guided fermentation control, which is already demonstrating 20–25 % cost reduction through optimized media, pH control, and aeration. A central theme is the use of agro-industrial residues like fruit peels, whey, distillery/winery effluent, bagasse as carbon sources to displace refined sugars, reduce waste management burdens, and close material loops within a circular biorefinery model. We critically evaluate BC composite systems (e.g., MXene/BC electrodes, antimicrobial wound dressings, high-barrier bioplastic films) and identify barriers to scale, including inhibitor carryover from waste feedstocks, fouling, water-vapor transmission rate, phenolic coloration, and clinical regulatory constraints. Finally, we propose a translational roadmap built on data-rich bioreactors, modular waste-to-value integration, and application-specific surface functionalization to accelerate industrial deployment of BC as a next-generation sustainable material.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18322,"journal":{"name":"Materials Today Sustainability","volume":"33 ","pages":"Article 101274"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145735010","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Reclamation of fly ash and crumb rubber in clay bricks using sodium metasilicate at low curing temperature 偏硅酸钠低温养护法回收粘土砖中的粉煤灰和橡胶屑

IF 7.9 3区材料科学

Materials Today Sustainability Pub Date : 2026-03-01 Epub Date: 2025-12-23 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtsust.2025.101283

Aswin Kumar Krishnan , Yat Choy Wong , Youli Lin , Arul Arulrajah

{"title":"Reclamation of fly ash and crumb rubber in clay bricks using sodium metasilicate at low curing temperature","authors":"Aswin Kumar Krishnan , Yat Choy Wong , Youli Lin , Arul Arulrajah","doi":"10.1016/j.mtsust.2025.101283","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mtsust.2025.101283","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This research study was to investigate fly ash (FA) and crumb rubber (CR) in clay bricks using sodium metasilicate at low heating temperatures which is an emerging trend in the construction industry to eliminate landfill depletion problems. The fly ash weight ratios studied was at 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 %, while the crumb rubber weight ratios was fixed at 1 % for all the samples. During previous study, the initial temperature of 50 °C for 48 h was conducted. In this study, the curing temperature was increased to 60 °C for 72 h. Then, the temperature was raised further to 160 °C for 24 h to obtain the best optimum curing conditions. The sodium metasilicate powder was used as a solid activator for the alkaline activation of FA and CR. The varying weight ratios of Na<sub>2</sub>SiO<sub>3</sub>was at 2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10 %. Compressive strength, cold water absorption, linear shrinkage, initial rate of absorption and thermal conductivity were tested and compared with the properties of clay bricks. The surface morphology of FA and CR blends was examined using scanning electron microscopy. Furthermore, the different Na/Si ratios were identified using EDS analysis. The experimental results indicated that the highest compressive strength of 11.7 MPa was achieved with 25 % FA + 1 % CR using 10 % Na<sub>2</sub>SiO<sub>3</sub>. It was found that thermal conductivity satisfied the requirement for the standard bricks except for 10 % FA + 1 % CR at 10 % sodium metasilicate. The high porosity in bricks resulted in low thermal conductivity, which is an excellent thermal insulation property of the bricks. This study demonstrates the potential benefits of using fly ash and crumb rubber using sodium metasilicate powder in green buildings could reduce the extraction of natural resources and improve disposal efficiency.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18322,"journal":{"name":"Materials Today Sustainability","volume":"33 ","pages":"Article 101283"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145925695","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Self-supported IrMnFeCoNiOx high entropy spinel as acid resistant and active oxygen evolution catalyst 自支撑IrMnFeCoNiOx高熵尖晶石作为耐酸和活性氧析出催化剂

IF 7.9 3区材料科学

Materials Today Sustainability Pub Date : 2026-03-01 Epub Date: 2025-12-23 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtsust.2025.101293

Sara Reguera Riera , Ana Matilde Pérez-Mas , René Bes , María González de la Vega , María González-Ingelmo , Uriel Alejandro Sierra Gómez , Clara Blanco , Ricardo Santamaría , Victoria G. Rocha , Jonathan Ruiz Esquius

{"title":"Self-supported IrMnFeCoNiOx high entropy spinel as acid resistant and active oxygen evolution catalyst","authors":"Sara Reguera Riera , Ana Matilde Pérez-Mas , René Bes , María González de la Vega , María González-Ingelmo , Uriel Alejandro Sierra Gómez , Clara Blanco , Ricardo Santamaría , Victoria G. Rocha , Jonathan Ruiz Esquius","doi":"10.1016/j.mtsust.2025.101293","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mtsust.2025.101293","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>IrMnFeCoNiO<sub>x</sub> and IrO<sub>x</sub> oxides self-supported on carbon fibres were synthesised through a facile and rapid thermal decomposition in air (300–500 °C, 1 h). The effect of temperature on the material's properties and their performance towards the acidic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) were assessed.</div><div>For IrMnFeCoNiO<sub>x</sub> catalysts, the higher the annealing temperature, the better the catalytic activity and stability towards the acidic OER, which was assigned to the crystallisation to a spinel structure (cubic Fd3m). The IrMnFeCoNiO<sub>x</sub> annealed at 500 °C reached 10 mA cm<sup>−2</sup> at a low overpotential of 283 mV with no evident signs of deactivation for 70 h operating at 10 mA cm<sup>−2</sup>. On the contrary, for IrO<sub>x</sub> crystallisation towards rutile IrO<sub>2</sub> with increasing temperature resulted in an activity decay, with the overpotential to reach 10 mA cm<sup>−2</sup> progressively worsening from 304 mV to ca. 400 mV.</div><div>At comparable iridium loading (0.4 mg<sub>Ir</sub> cm<sup>−2</sup>), the best performing IrMnFeCoNiO<sub>x</sub> catalyst surpasses in terms of activity and stability the best performing IrO<sub>x</sub> catalysts. This methodology that required only metal chloride precursors, water and heating enables the synthesis of metal oxide spinel catalysts, including high entropy spinel, through a fast, simple and scalable route. In addition, this route can aid in the design of low Ir-loading catalysts for the production of green hydrogen.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18322,"journal":{"name":"Materials Today Sustainability","volume":"33 ","pages":"Article 101293"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145925699","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Metal-oxide nanolaminate barrier coatings to enable large-scale manufacturing of sustainable flex packaging 金属氧化物纳米层压屏障涂层，使大规模生产的可持续柔性包装

IF 7.9 3区材料科学

Materials Today Sustainability Pub Date : 2026-03-01 Epub Date: 2025-12-22 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtsust.2025.101289

Denys Vidish , Soumyadeep Saha , Louis-Vincent Delumeau , Tristan Grovu , Kevin P. Musselman

{"title":"Metal-oxide nanolaminate barrier coatings to enable large-scale manufacturing of sustainable flex packaging","authors":"Denys Vidish , Soumyadeep Saha , Louis-Vincent Delumeau , Tristan Grovu , Kevin P. Musselman","doi":"10.1016/j.mtsust.2025.101289","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mtsust.2025.101289","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The world is drowning in single-use-plastic waste. Compostable and recyclable alternatives to single-use flexible packaging exist but do not provide an adequate barrier to water-vapor and oxygen. We address this by using atmospheric-pressure spatial atomic layer deposition to apply Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>-ZnO nanolaminates on compostable polylactic acid (PLA) and recyclable polyethylene terephthalate (PET) films for flexible packaging. This industrially scalable coating is performed at 50 °C, preserving film integrity while enabling nanoscale control. The nanolaminate structure is found to enhance the bending resistance, improve the coating stability, and drastically reduce the water-vapor transmission rate (WVTR) and oxygen transmission rate (OTR). An optimized 8-stack Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>-ZnO nanolaminate that is ∼96 nm thick reduces the WVTR of PLA packaging film from ∼300 g m<sup>−2</sup>·24hr<sup>−1</sup> to <0.5 g m<sup>−2</sup>·24hr<sup>−1</sup> and its OTR from ∼1000 cm<sup>3</sup> m<sup>−2</sup>·24hr<sup>−1</sup> to <10 cm<sup>3</sup> m<sup>−2</sup>·24hr<sup>−1</sup> (both measured at 38<sup>o</sup>C and 90 % relative humidity), making it ideal for packaging air-sensitive goods. When the 8-stack nanolaminate is laminated between two PET films to form a simple packaging structure and is subjected to the harshest industry-standard Gelbo flex durability testing, it retains a WVTR <2 g m<sup>−2</sup>·24hr<sup>−1</sup>. These ultrathin coatings are well-positioned to meet recyclability and compostability standards, enabling a viable path to sustainable flex packaging.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18322,"journal":{"name":"Materials Today Sustainability","volume":"33 ","pages":"Article 101289"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145925812","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Sustainable and eco-friendly brake pads: Ensuring reliable copper-free performance with minimal steel fiber 可持续环保的刹车片：以最少的钢纤维确保可靠的无铜性能

IF 7.9 3区材料科学

Materials Today Sustainability Pub Date : 2026-03-01 Epub Date: 2026-01-13 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtsust.2026.101306

Fatemeh Mollaei , Ali Partovinia

{"title":"Sustainable and eco-friendly brake pads: Ensuring reliable copper-free performance with minimal steel fiber","authors":"Fatemeh Mollaei , Ali Partovinia","doi":"10.1016/j.mtsust.2026.101306","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mtsust.2026.101306","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Copper, despite its favorable frictional and thermal properties, poses significant environmental concerns, which necessitate the development of sustainable alternatives. In this study, the tribological performance of low-metallic copper-free brake pads reinforced with steel fibers was investigated using a Chase friction testing machine in accordance with the SAE J661 standard. Low-metallic brake pad friction composites reinforced with 10–30 wt% steel fibers were fabricated using hot molding as a manufacturing step. The composites were formed under heat and pressure and subsequently post-cured to obtain the final friction materials. The samples were evaluated for normal and hot friction coefficients and wear rate. To evaluate the mechanical integrity of the brake pad composites, shear strength testing was also performed. By eliminating copper and focusing on frictional stability at different temperatures in steel fiber-reinforced formulations, this method enables accurate and reproducible simulation of real-world braking conditions within a controlled laboratory environment. This approach offers a standardized framework for optimizing environmentally friendly friction materials for automotive applications. The results demonstrated that the formulation containing 15 wt% steel fiber exhibited the most balanced performance, showing a high hot friction coefficient (0.468) and normal friction coefficient of 0.439, indicating consistent friction behavior with low sensitivity to operating conditions, which is regarded as an acceptable coefficient of friction under normal braking conditions. Moreover, this formulation presented the lowest wear rate (4.236 %) and excellent thermal stability. These findings indicate that replacing copper with steel fiber reinforcement can maintain reliable frictional performance and durability, offering an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional copper-based brake pads.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18322,"journal":{"name":"Materials Today Sustainability","volume":"33 ","pages":"Article 101306"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146077818","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Sustainable nonlinear optical properties of green Cumin extract: Cuminaldehyde as a natural bio-chromophore for green photonic applications 绿色孜然提取物的可持续非线性光学性质：孜然醛作为绿色光子应用的天然生物发色团

IF 7.9 3区材料科学

Materials Today Sustainability Pub Date : 2026-03-01 Epub Date: 2025-12-23 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtsust.2025.101292

Ali Izadi-Darbandi , Ammar S. Alattar , Marzieh Nadafan , S.M. Mahdi Mortazavian , Morteza Khashehchi

{"title":"Sustainable nonlinear optical properties of green Cumin extract: Cuminaldehyde as a natural bio-chromophore for green photonic applications","authors":"Ali Izadi-Darbandi , Ammar S. Alattar , Marzieh Nadafan , S.M. Mahdi Mortazavian , Morteza Khashehchi","doi":"10.1016/j.mtsust.2025.101292","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mtsust.2025.101292","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study investigates the linear and nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of essential oils extracted from several ecotypes of green cumin (<em>Cuminum cyminum</em> L.) differing in cuminaldehyde content. The plants were cultivated under two irrigation regimes: normal irrigation and terminal drought stress. Essential oils were extracted from mature seeds via hydrodistillation, followed by quantification of cuminaldehyde levels. Ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) absorption spectra were recorded to evaluate the optical behavior and band gap energies of the samples. Changes in cuminaldehyde concentration as a new bioresource influenced the degree of electron delocalization and molecular perturbation, resulting in measurable shifts in absorption spectra. The NLO properties were characterized using the Z-scan technique (open and closed aperture) with continuous-wave laser excitation at 532 nm. Nonlinear refractive indices (NLR-n<sub>2</sub>) and nonlinear absorption (NLA) coefficients (β) were determined, revealing significant third-order nonlinearities in the essential oils. The NLA of samples was evaluated relating to the reverse saturation absorption (RSA) mechanism. All samples exhibited a positive NLR index referring to the self-focusing effect. The order of the NLR index value, depending on the different concentration of cuminaldehyde is about 10<sup>−8</sup> (cm<sup>2</sup>/W) and the NLA coefficients of specimens are in the order of 10<sup>−3</sup> (cm/W). Cuminaldehyde's enhanced NLO response arises from a synergy of structural features: aromatic π-conjugation, resonance stabilization, a strong donor–acceptor system, and the potential for intermolecular π–π interactions. These findings demonstrate the potential of green cumin essential oil as a natural, low-cost nonlinear optical material, with possible applications in photonic devices and sustainable optical technologies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18322,"journal":{"name":"Materials Today Sustainability","volume":"33 ","pages":"Article 101292"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146077819","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Sustainable dielectric materials for energy storage: Processing, properties, and performance evaluation 可持续电介质储能材料：加工、性能和性能评价

IF 7.9 3区材料科学

Materials Today Sustainability Pub Date : 2026-03-01 Epub Date: 2025-12-21 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtsust.2025.101281

Kiran Keshyagol , Shivashankarayya Hiremath , H.M. Vishwanatha , Pavan Hiremath

{"title":"Sustainable dielectric materials for energy storage: Processing, properties, and performance evaluation","authors":"Kiran Keshyagol , Shivashankarayya Hiremath , H.M. Vishwanatha , Pavan Hiremath","doi":"10.1016/j.mtsust.2025.101281","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mtsust.2025.101281","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The growing demand for sustainable electrical and electronic technologies has accelerated the search for environmentally benign dielectric materials with high-performance characteristics suited for applications such as electromagnetic shielding, energy storage, and electroactive devices. In this work, a Naturally Extracted Dielectric (NED) material derived from cuttlefish bone was processed via lyophilization and thermal calcination at various temperatures to enhance structural consistency. Structural evolution from aragonite-based calcium carbonate to calcium oxide (CaO) was confirmed through X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Dielectric behavior and ion transport mechanisms were assessed using Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS). Among all samples, the material calcined at 750 °C (NED-750) demonstrated the best performance, exhibiting strong Maxwell–Wagner interfacial polarization, high permittivity at low-frequency, and a peak DC conductivity of 5.4 × 10<sup>−3</sup> S/m. A reduction of 8.2 % in material density with increasing calcination temperature further indicated enhanced porosity and polarization sites. The correlation of structural data with dielectric response establishes a comprehensive framework for evaluating bio-derived ceramics. These results highlight NED as a promising candidate for next-generation, sustainable dielectric energy storage system and electronic device.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18322,"journal":{"name":"Materials Today Sustainability","volume":"33 ","pages":"Article 101281"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145925696","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Self-reinforced bio-based polyesters: recent progress and prospects 自增强生物基聚酯：最新进展与展望

IF 7.9 3区材料科学

Materials Today Sustainability Pub Date : 2026-03-01 Epub Date: 2025-12-21 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtsust.2025.101290

Pejman Heidarian , Shazed Aziz , Peter Halley , Tony McNally , Ton Peijs , Luigi-Jules Vandi , Russell J. Varley

{"title":"Self-reinforced bio-based polyesters: recent progress and prospects","authors":"Pejman Heidarian , Shazed Aziz , Peter Halley , Tony McNally , Ton Peijs , Luigi-Jules Vandi , Russell J. Varley","doi":"10.1016/j.mtsust.2025.101290","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mtsust.2025.101290","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The environmental impact of traditional petroleum-based plastics has driven the search for sustainable alternatives, with bio-based polyesters emerging as a promising solution. However, these polymers often suffer from insufficient mechanical properties, which limits their applications. To address this, self-reinforcement has been explored as an innovative approach to enhance the performance of bio-based polyesters. This review provides an overview of the recent advancements in self-reinforced bio-based polyesters, focusing on polymers such as poly(lactic acid) (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), and poly(butylene succinate) (PBS). Different self-reinforcement techniques, such as electrospinning, melt spinning, and hot compaction are explored for their effectiveness in enhancing tensile strength, modulus, and overall durability. The review also discusses the integration of these materials into applications ranging from packaging to biomedical devices, where biodegradability and mechanical performance are critical. Furthermore, the paper explores the prospects of self-reinforced bio-based polyesters, emphasizing the need for continued innovation in material design and processing techniques to overcome current limitations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18322,"journal":{"name":"Materials Today Sustainability","volume":"33 ","pages":"Article 101290"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145925811","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Monitoring pilot-scale lignin depolymerization via nanoparticle size in water: A sustainable qualitative method 监测中试规模木质素解聚通过纳米颗粒大小在水中：一个可持续的定性方法

IF 7.9 3区材料科学

Materials Today Sustainability Pub Date : 2025-12-01 Epub Date: 2025-10-25 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtsust.2025.101245

Marc Comí, Ekiñe Apellaniz, Paul Jusner, Balaji Sridharan, Kelly Servaes, Richard Vendamme

{"title":"Monitoring pilot-scale lignin depolymerization via nanoparticle size in water: A sustainable qualitative method","authors":"Marc Comí, Ekiñe Apellaniz, Paul Jusner, Balaji Sridharan, Kelly Servaes, Richard Vendamme","doi":"10.1016/j.mtsust.2025.101245","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mtsust.2025.101245","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Lignin is the most abundant aromatic bioresource, but the complexity of its biopolymer structure hinders its use in many applications. Large-scale continuous systems for lignin upgrading via solvolysis or catalytic depolymerization are currently being developed to produce more defined and application-specific lignin oligomers. A key factor in the scale-up of the conversion process is monitoring the molecular weight of lignin fractions throughout the operation. However, traditional analytical methods such as gel permeation chromatography (GPC) are slow, while a fast response is essential to prevent significant product losses. In this study, we developed a simple, rapid, and qualitative method to assess the molecular weight range of the lignin-derived products during continuous depolymerization runs. This approach is based on establishing strong correlations between lignin molecular structure and nanoparticle size in aqueous dispersion. By optimizing lignin nanoparticle (LNP) fabrication for specific lignin fractions within a defined molecular weight range, we tested a series of lignin samples. The results obtained from GPC and LNP size analysis were compared to validate the accuracy of our method. Finally, the LNP-based qualitative method was applied to a pilot-scale depolymerization run to track potential deviations in molecular weight in the final product. Our findings demonstrate that LNP size can serve as a simple, reliable, and rapid technique for evaluating the molecular weight of depolymerized lignin. This method offers valuable potential for future industrial processes involving this abundant renewable resource.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18322,"journal":{"name":"Materials Today Sustainability","volume":"32 ","pages":"Article 101245"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145417025","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Amorphous electrocatalysts for oxygen and hydrogen evolution reactions: Advances in hydrogen production 氧和氢析出反应的非晶电催化剂：制氢的进展

IF 7.9 3区材料科学

Materials Today Sustainability Pub Date : 2025-12-01 Epub Date: 2025-09-16 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtsust.2025.101223

Selvam Mathi , Hanan Akhdar , Ranjan S. Shetti , Tarfah Alinad , Abdullah N. Alodhayb , Kunal Mondal , Nagaraj P. Shetti

{"title":"Amorphous electrocatalysts for oxygen and hydrogen evolution reactions: Advances in hydrogen production","authors":"Selvam Mathi , Hanan Akhdar , Ranjan S. Shetti , Tarfah Alinad , Abdullah N. Alodhayb , Kunal Mondal , Nagaraj P. Shetti","doi":"10.1016/j.mtsust.2025.101223","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mtsust.2025.101223","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The electrochemical splitting of water into oxygen and hydrogen is fundamental for renewable energy storage and conversion. The development of cost-effective and highly efficient electrocatalysts remains essential for industrial-scale implementation of this technology. Recent advances have highlighted the superior activity, stability and structural adaptability of amorphous electrocatalysts compared to their crystalline counterparts. This review critically examines synthesis strategies, characterisation techniques, and the electrochemical performance of amorphous materials for both oxygen evolution (OER) and hydrogen evolution (HER) reactions. Key factors influencing catalytic efficiency, including electronic structure and surface chemistry, are discussed in detail and contextualised with established literature. The review also highlights the critical role of enthalpic contributions in governing reaction energetics and catalyst performance, which aids in understanding and optimising electrocatalytic efficiency. Notably, ongoing research continues to reveal that amorphous catalysts consistently deliver improved performance in water-splitting applications, highlighting their growing relevance in electrocatalysis. The rationale for employing amorphous catalysts in water splitting is articulated, emphasising their unique advantages. By integrating recent findings and outlining future research directions, this review underscores the pivotal role of amorphous materials in advancing sustainable hydrogen production and identifies promising avenues for catalyst innovation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18322,"journal":{"name":"Materials Today Sustainability","volume":"32 ","pages":"Article 101223"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145106894","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0