Sustainable Materials and Technologies最新文献

{"title":"A novel strategy to synthesize LiFePO4 by recovering heterosite FePO4 from spent lithium batteries and reloading lithium","authors":"Haiyang He ,&nbsp;Jun Ke ,&nbsp;Yafan Bi","doi":"10.1016/j.susmat.2026.e01912","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.susmat.2026.e01912","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Owing to scarcity of Li resources and environmental burden, efficient resource recycling ways of spent lithium iron phosphate batteries (LFPs) have attracted extensive attention. However, the existing recycling strategy still has obstacles due to low efficiency of Li recovery and high consumption of acid and base. In this study, a novel strategy was reported to regenerate lithium iron phosphate through a combination of recovering high-purity heterosite FePO₄ and reinjecting Li⁺ ions via a facile hydrothermal route. The findings show that crystal phase of recovered FePO₄ was heterosite structure, which indicates that the original olivine crystal phase of spent LFPs is maintained through the proposed recovery strategy. As a result, the purity of obtained FePO₄ reach 95.97%, and the embedding rate of lithium into the recovered FePO₄ achieves to 99.98% with a low iron dissolution rate of 1.264%. Furthermore, the reassembled LiFePO₄ displayed an initial discharge capacity of 154.32 mAh·g⁻¹ at 0.1C, approaching to the theoretical specific capacity of lithium iron phosphate (170 mAh·g⁻¹) and maintained a capacity retention of 95.39% after 200 cycles at 1C, demonstrating excellent electrochemical performance. This work extremely cut down the recovery and regeneration process of spent LFPs batteries, indicating significant decrease of energy consumption, which provides a new process for large-scale recovery of spent LFP batteries.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":22097,"journal":{"name":"Sustainable Materials and Technologies","volume":"47 ","pages":"Article e01912"},"PeriodicalIF":9.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146188242","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Scaling up ceramic recovery from end-of-life solid oxide cells: Process optimization and evaluation of recovered materials","authors":"S. Saffirio ,&nbsp;S. Anelli ,&nbsp;J.F. Basbus ,&nbsp;A. Barbucci ,&nbsp;A.G. Sabato ,&nbsp;F. Smeacetto ,&nbsp;S.L. Fiorilli","doi":"10.1016/j.susmat.2026.e01878","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.susmat.2026.e01878","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study introduces a scalable and sustainable method for recovering yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) and nickel (as NiO) from end-of-life (EoL) solid oxide cells (SOCs). The process combines hydrothermal disaggregation at 200 °C with acid leaching into a single-step treatment, enabling whole-cell recycling and eliminating the need for complex layer separation. Optimised conditions – 50 g of SOC powder treated with 1 M HNO₃ for 1 h – achieved ≈92 wt% YSZ recovery while minimizing reagent use and processing time. The recovered YSZ showed a particle size distribution (445 ± 140 nm) comparable to virgin 3YSZ (470 ± 90 nm), with minimal Ni contamination (0.1 wt%) and preserved yttria content. When sintered at 1300 °C for 3 h, the material reached 95.5% relative density and an ionic conductivity of 7.9 × 10⁻³ S cm⁻¹ at 800 °C, closely matching virgin 3YSZ (97.8%, 9.4 × 10⁻³ S cm⁻¹). A residual monoclinic phase (17.4 wt%), which may slightly reduce transformation toughening, did not significantly affect ionic transport. Reuse pathways for recovered YSZ include closed-loop reintegration into SOC electrolytes or supports, and open-loop valorisation such as thermal barrier coatings or catalytic substrates. Concurrently, ≈99 wt% of Ni has been recovered in the form of NiO, with Co and La contamination below 1 wt%, further supporting circular economy strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":22097,"journal":{"name":"Sustainable Materials and Technologies","volume":"47 ","pages":"Article e01878"},"PeriodicalIF":9.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146037570","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Sustainable lithium recovery from hot springs: A multidisciplinary approach","authors":"Giuseppe Di Sotto ,&nbsp;Francesco Bianco ,&nbsp;Matteo Fiorucci ,&nbsp;Marco Race ,&nbsp;Michele Saroli","doi":"10.1016/j.susmat.2026.e01871","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.susmat.2026.e01871","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>As technology and development advance, global demand for lithium is expected to grow exponentially yearly, hence the need to explore new natural resources to supply the rapid demand. As a leading water resource, lithium is extracted from brines, including salt lakes, geothermal, and oilfield brines. Addressing the lack of studies on new exploitable water resources for lithium extraction, this review presents hot springs as a novel secondary resource for lithium by exploring geological and engineering aspects. The geological section provides information on the genesis of hot springs, mineral structures containing lithium, and the main mechanisms of lithium enrichment in water resources related to water-rock interactions. On the other hand, traditional (i.e., evaporation and chemical precipitation) and advanced lithium extraction engineering techniques, such as direct lithium extraction techniques (e.g., ion exchange, adsorption, solvent extraction, and membrane-based techniques), are here proposed and investigated for hot springs. The review outlines the mechanisms, parameters, and efficiencies associated with the various extraction techniques, highlighting their negative environmental impact and sustainability aspects. Finally, critical aspects and future perspectives are discussed here.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":22097,"journal":{"name":"Sustainable Materials and Technologies","volume":"47 ","pages":"Article e01871"},"PeriodicalIF":9.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146037573","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"High-performance, bio-based, degradable semi aromatic poly aryl ether ketone derived from nonlinear acetal structure","authors":"Yujia Xie,&nbsp;Qi Li,&nbsp;Yuanqi Wu,&nbsp;Bowei Li,&nbsp;Xiaochao Sun,&nbsp;Zhaolong Su,&nbsp;Yu Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.susmat.2026.e01886","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.susmat.2026.e01886","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Poly (aryl ether ketone) (PAEK) is a widely utilized high-performance engineering thermoplastic, yet addressing its dependence on non-renewable petroleum sources and inherent lack of recyclability remains a critical issue. While strategies for bio-derived or degradable polymers exist, the corresponding exploration on high-performance PAEK resins persists largely unexplored. The efficient degradation of conventional PAEK necessitates demanding, hazardous, and cost-intensive conditions, primarily due to the exceptional bond energy, chemical inertness, and thermal stability imparted by their wholly aromatic backbone structures. Herein, we report a one-pot synthesis of a bio-based, degradable thermoplastic PAEK, which was achieved employing a novel bis-acetal-containing bisphenol monomer (VD) derived from bio-based precursors erythritol and vanillin. Incorporating a unique bicyclic acetal into the polymer backbone not only preserves its thermal stability but also enhances toughness and solubility, while endowing the material with degradability. The developed PVEK exhibits a homogeneous morphology, robust mechanical strength, excellent thermal stability, and outstanding solvent resistance. This polymer decomposes into harmless products under mildly heated, strongly acidic aqueous conditions, providing a promising plastic pollution mitigation strategy. To further verify its applicability, carbon fibre (CF)/PVEK composites were prepared followed by degradation of the resins to recover the CF. This protocol demonstrates a viable pathway towards controllable degradation of PAEK.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":22097,"journal":{"name":"Sustainable Materials and Technologies","volume":"47 ","pages":"Article e01886"},"PeriodicalIF":9.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146037568","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Bionic cork barrier based on instantaneous fire-triggered graphite expansion: Towards integrated active-passive fire protection for high-rise buildings","authors":"Shaokang Song ,&nbsp;Ya Liu ,&nbsp;Yingjie Zhao ,&nbsp;Zhenxiu Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.susmat.2026.e01854","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.susmat.2026.e01854","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The escalating fire safety challenges in high-rise buildings under rapid urbanization, particularly the severe life threats posed by high occupant density, difficult evacuation, and rapid fire spread, drive an urgent need for novel fireproof materials that integrate efficient passive protection with intelligent active warning. To overcome the limitations of existing systems, this work draws inspiration from the programmed sacrificial defense mechanism of the quercus suber cork layer, proposing an innovative strategy for integrated active–passive fire protection. By leveraging the expansion of expandable graphite (EG) under heat to form a bio-inspired ablative carbon layer and the accompanying significant physical changes, an innovative approach using supercritical N₂ foaming technology was employed to successfully fabricate a lightweight, flexible, highly thermally insulating, and ultra-fireproof intelligent heat-responsive flame-retardant elastomer foam (IHFEF). Compared to the control sample, the IHFEF exhibits dramatic reductions of 72.0 % in peak heat release rate (PHRR) and 77.4 % in peak smoke production rate (PSPR), alongside a remarkable 93.6 % increase in limiting oxygen index (LOI). When subjected to direct impingement by a 1200 °C butane flame for 180 s, the foam maintained structural integrity while effectively limiting the backside temperature to below 187 °C, demonstrating its exceptional passive thermal barrier performance. Furthermore, by capitalizing on the electrical conductivity changes induced by EG expansion, the material simultaneously functions as an intelligent fire alarm sensor, providing continuous alarm duration exceeding 2400 s. This unique intelligent “perception-warning-protection” integrated response mechanism transcends the conventional boundaries separating active and passive fire protection, offering a highly promising material solution for significantly enhancing fire safety in high-rise buildings and extending the available safe evacuation time.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":22097,"journal":{"name":"Sustainable Materials and Technologies","volume":"47 ","pages":"Article e01854"},"PeriodicalIF":9.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145976896","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Efficient urea oxidation from strontium ferrite nanostructures synthesized using iron recovered from waste iron ore slime","authors":"Sapna Devi ,&nbsp;Sunaina ,&nbsp;Sushma Kumari ,&nbsp;Kritika Sood ,&nbsp;Santanu Sarkar ,&nbsp;Pratik Swarup Dash ,&nbsp;Menaka Jha","doi":"10.1016/j.susmat.2026.e01889","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.susmat.2026.e01889","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>SrFeO₃ is a perovskite-type mixed oxide with the general formula ABO₃, well known for its distinctive structural features, including oxygen vacancies and the unusual oxidation states of iron. These characteristics impart high ionic mobility, tunable electronic conductivity, and excellent redox flexibility, making SrFeO₃ highly suitable for diverse catalytic and energy-related applications. In this study, a sustainable approach is demonstrated for the recovery of iron values from iron ore slimes, which are then utilized to synthesize SrFeO₃ nanoplates through an eco-friendly method. The resulting SrFeO₃ exhibits remarkable electrocatalytic activity towards urea electrolysis, requiring a low overpotential of 1.57 V and showing a small Tafel slope of 29 mV dec⁻¹, indicative of fast reaction kinetics. In addition, the catalyst displays excellent durability for up to 18 h, confirming its robustness under prolonged electrochemical operation. Such performance parameters highlight the material's potential to significantly reduce the energy demand of urea oxidation, thereby enhancing the overall efficiency of urea-assisted electrolysis systems. The development of this waste-derived catalytic material aligns with global efforts to promote sustainable and environmentally responsible technologies. By converting low-value waste into high-value functional oxides, the work supports waste-to-wealth strategies while contributing to cleaner chemical synthesis and greener energy production. Overall, the study not only establishes a practical route for utilizing industrial waste but also demonstrates the potential of SrFeO₃ nanostructures as efficient electrocatalysts, advancing the broader goals of pollution reduction, resource circularity, and sustainable energy development.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":22097,"journal":{"name":"Sustainable Materials and Technologies","volume":"47 ","pages":"Article e01889"},"PeriodicalIF":9.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146077621","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Implantable nanoelectronics: Material considerations and biointerface interactions","authors":"Piyas Bose,&nbsp;Debjani Ray,&nbsp;Sunil Kumar Sah,&nbsp;Santanu Kaity","doi":"10.1016/j.susmat.2025.e01837","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.susmat.2025.e01837","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Implantable nanoelectronics represent a rapidly advancing frontier at the intersection of nanotechnology, biomedical engineering, and neuroscience. Their miniature, flexible structures allow closer integration with soft tissues than conventional implants, enabling high-resolution interaction with cells, neural circuits and organ-level systems. The performance of these devices depends strongly on the biointerface, where material chemistry, mechanical matching and the surrounding physiological fluids collectively determine communication, stability and long-term compatibility. Although technological progress in microsystems, semiconductors and wireless communication has accelerated development, most earlier reviews address implantable electronics mainly from a device-engineering viewpoint and give limited attention to how biological environments, materials of construction or interface dynamics shape chronic implant behaviour. This review brings these aspects together by examining material selection, fabrication strategies and the biological microenvironment as an integrated framework. Particular focus is given to biocompatible polymers such as chitin, chitosan, gelatin, silk, cellulose and starch, along with emerging approaches for stable powering and wireless data transfer. Key challenges, including biochemical degradation, immune-driven encapsulation, power sustainability and in vivo signal reliability, are discussed to provide a clearer understanding of the factors that constrain clinical translation and guide the design of next-generation nano-scale implants.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":22097,"journal":{"name":"Sustainable Materials and Technologies","volume":"47 ","pages":"Article e01837"},"PeriodicalIF":9.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145839851","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A terrain-adaptive soft robot with closed-loop sensing and control","authors":"Zihan Wan ,&nbsp;Sicheng Chen ,&nbsp;Haibin Gao ,&nbsp;Zhilin Yu ,&nbsp;Li Xiang ,&nbsp;Lei Yang ,&nbsp;Wenling Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.susmat.2025.e01828","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.susmat.2025.e01828","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In recent years, soft robotics have emerged as a prominent area of research, offering novel solutions to real-world challenges. However, enabling soft robots to achieve spontaneous terrain adaptation while maintaining stable motion remains a serious challenge. To address this problem, we propose a highly integrated soft robot that can recognize terrain features and autonomously adjust gait parameters through closed-loop sensing and control. The robot's mechanical design combines Kresling origami construction with flexible materials and a foot design with an asymmetrical structure for smooth transitions in the 0–0.103 BL/s speed range. The body-embedded flexible resistive sensor senses the body's motion state in real time and feeds the data as input to the machine learning model, achieving an accuracy of 98.69 % in terrain classification (flat, grass, and rock). The machine learning model results are used to adjust the motion frequency of the motion module to achieve adaptive motion. The fusion of advanced machinery and closed-loop control provides a robust framework for soft robots operating in complex, dynamic environments.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":22097,"journal":{"name":"Sustainable Materials and Technologies","volume":"47 ","pages":"Article e01828"},"PeriodicalIF":9.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145840308","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Sustainable capture and photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants by high-swelling cyclodextrin polymer loaded with TiO2 nanoparticles","authors":"Kai Zhang ,&nbsp;Zhaoxin Zhang ,&nbsp;Ningning Cao ,&nbsp;Linji Li ,&nbsp;Ningyan Peng ,&nbsp;Yongli Shi ,&nbsp;Guofei Dai ,&nbsp;Xiaojin Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.susmat.2025.e01831","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.susmat.2025.e01831","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Abstract</div><div>Photocatalytic degradation provides a promising sustainable solution for water purification, but its effectiveness is often limited by the low utilization efficiency of photogenerated reactive oxygen species (ROS). Although organic coatings such as fluorinated porous cyclodextrin polymers can adsorb target pollutants near the photocatalyst surfaces to enhance ROS efficiency and resist ROS attack, their hydrophobicity may limit the adsorption and degradation of hydrophilic organic pollutants. Here, we report a novel core-shell photocatalyst (His-CDP-TiO₂) prepared by a simple synthesis process that encapsulates TiO₂ nanoparticles in a high-swelling cyclodextrin polymer (His-CDP). This design utilizes the exceptional broad-spectrum pollutant enrichment ability of His-CDP hydrophilic-hydrophobic dual-functional network to rapidly concentrate pollutants near catalytic TiO₂ core sites. This localized enhancement significantly improves the interfacial ROS utilization efficiency and promotes efficient “capture-and-degradation” process. Therefore, His-CDP-TiO₂ exhibits significantly accelerated photodegradation kinetics towards hydrophilic/hydrophobic organic pollutants. For example, it degraded over 99 % of bisphenol A (BPA) within 180 min, with a degradation rate constant (0.025 min⁻¹) 4.4 times higher than unmodified TiO₂. The photodegradation pathway of BPA was elucidated by identifying and quantifying the oxidation intermediates generated by His-CDP-TiO₂.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":22097,"journal":{"name":"Sustainable Materials and Technologies","volume":"47 ","pages":"Article e01831"},"PeriodicalIF":9.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145840399","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Circular economy and profitability: A techno-economic analysis of precious metal recovery from waste printed circuit boards","authors":"Idiano D'Adamo ,&nbsp;Francesco Ferella ,&nbsp;Massimo Gastaldi ,&nbsp;Nicolò M. Ippolito ,&nbsp;Domiziana Lunadei","doi":"10.1016/j.susmat.2025.e01812","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.susmat.2025.e01812","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Electronic waste, and particularly that involving waste printed circuit boards (WPCBs), represents one of the fastest growing waste streams globally, posing both environmental challenges and opportunities for valuable metal recovery. This study aims to assess the technical and economic feasibility of a modified patented process for recycling WPCBs, with a focus on evaluating both recovery performance and the investment's economic sustainability. The methodology combines a technical assessment – based on the process description and the material and energy balance for a plant capacity of 500 t/year – with an economic evaluation derived from a detailed cash flow analysis. The results demonstrate excellent recovery rates for base metals, while precious metals show lower yet still significant yields, with gold recovery approaching 80 %. In the baseline scenario, net present value (NPV) is estimated at 46.7 million €. The sensitivity analysis reveals that, depending on the price of gold, NPV ranges from 20.2 to 50.9 million €, with a break-even point at a gold price of 4148 €/kg. Sensitivity and stress testing confirm that gold price is the most critical factor, followed by metal purity and WPCB purchase costs. Nevertheless, even under adverse conditions, NPV remains positive, reinforcing the overall economic robustness of the project. The managerial implications highlight the strategic potential of WPCB recycling as a sustainable technology enhancing resource security, advancing circular economy objectives and delivering long-term competitive advantages for both industry and policymakers.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":22097,"journal":{"name":"Sustainable Materials and Technologies","volume":"47 ","pages":"Article e01812"},"PeriodicalIF":9.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145797663","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}