RSC sustainability最新文献

{"title":"Bayesian optimisation of a bio-based biodegradable polyester thermoset.","authors":"Thomas Højlund-Dodd, James A Elliott","doi":"10.1039/d6su00235h","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d6su00235h","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Glass fibre-reinforced polymer composites are widely used in the wind turbine manufacturing industry, and are commonly manufactured using general-purpose unsaturated polyester resin thermosets. However, these resins are obtained from oil-derived aromatic monomers making them both unsustainably sourced and difficult to recycle. Bio-based and biodegradable alternatives exist but have not yet seen widespread commercial success due to their relatively high cost and poor mechanical properties. This paper seeks to address the question of whether bio-based branching thermoset polyesters can be optimised using Bayesian optimisation such that properties correlated with mechanical performance, including extent of polymerisation, might be improved upon. This is achieved by selecting a bio-based and biodegradable polymer (poly(glycerol citrate itaconate)), identifying a desirable objective variable (mass loss under esterification as proxy for extent of polymerisation) and some tunable predictor variables (monomeric stoichiometry), and then applying sequential Bayesian techniques to uncover well-performing samples in an experimentally efficient manner. A Bayesian technique employing the probability of improvement acquisition function discovered the experimental global optimum stoichiometry producing a mass loss of 20.8% in curing polyester samples, which represents 72% of the theoretical maximum, indicating a high extent of polymerisation. Bayesian techniques employing both expected improvement and probability of improvement acquisition functions were simulated 10 000 times across five different emulations of the practical experiment's parameter space. For one particular method (GP-Mat-05), the estimated probabilities of reaching the defined region of global optimality were 65.0% and 23.8%, respectively. We conclude that Bayesian optimisation techniques represent a practically deployable and sample-efficient means by which desirable properties of bio-based thermosets may be improved.</p>","PeriodicalId":74745,"journal":{"name":"RSC sustainability","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.6,"publicationDate":"2026-09-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13659735/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149186831","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Sustainable paper manufacture from <i>Cladophora via</i> hydrochloric acid process.","authors":"Karl Mihhels, A Topias Kilpinen, Neptun Yousefi, Roozbeh Abidnejad, Jouni Paltakari, Erlantz Lizundia, Jaanika Blomster, Eero Kontturi","doi":"10.1039/d6su00225k","DOIUrl":"10.1039/d6su00225k","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>As global demand for wood resources is projected to exceed five billion m³ by 2050, developing sustainable non-forest alternatives for paper production is an urgent industrial priority. We demonstrate a single-stage conversion of raw <i>Cladophora</i> biomass into papermaking fibres using aqueous hydrochloric acid at ambient conditions. The acid treatment yields cellulose-rich fibres that can be formed into sheets by standard papermaking methods, and it generates a spent liquor from which hydrochloric acid can be recovered by distillation. The recovered algal fibres form dense networks with mechanical properties comparable to commercial high-yield wood pulps. The environmental impacts of processing algal paper sheets at lab-scale were quantified using Life Cycle Assessment. Our study establishes a direct and operationally simple route for producing functional fibre networks from <i>Cladophora</i>, and it clarifies the sustainability limits and opportunities associated with papermaking from algae.</p>","PeriodicalId":74745,"journal":{"name":"RSC sustainability","volume":" ","pages":"3703-3713"},"PeriodicalIF":6.6,"publicationDate":"2026-09-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13563440/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148957545","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Expansion of a paints and coatings solvent guide. Combining solvent guides and Hansen solubility parameters for greener solvent and solvent mixture selection.","authors":"Erica Kemp, Harry Maslen, Helen F Sneddon","doi":"10.1039/d6su00271d","DOIUrl":"10.1039/d6su00271d","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>A substantive update to the 2024 paints and coatings solvents guide, scoring an additional 40 solvents, including those used as strippers, has been provided. The ranking of alternative solvents and solvent mixtures based on sustainability (or other) scores and Hansen Solvent Parameters (HSP) has been facilitated through modification of Albrecht and Strube's 2025 software. Two examples of scoring approaches are exemplified. Circle diagrams, showing a range of possible solvent mixtures as alternatives for a given solvent (or solvent mixture) have been developed and exemplified for two key solvents where there is particular interest in replacement, dichloromethane and <i>N</i>-methyl pyrrolidone. The nature of solvents and solvent mixtures required to map HSP space using both pharmaceutical and paints and coatings specific solvent lists has been plotted, highlighting under-served areas of solvent space for future research.</p>","PeriodicalId":74745,"journal":{"name":"RSC sustainability","volume":"4 10","pages":"3774-3796"},"PeriodicalIF":6.6,"publicationDate":"2026-08-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13644779/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149139894","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Optimising natural rubber recycling capability using combinations of copper(ii) ion and phosphine inhibitors.","authors":"Thomas Griggs, Anureet Kaur, Keizo Akutagawa, Biqiong Chen, James J C Busfield","doi":"10.1039/d6su00080k","DOIUrl":"10.1039/d6su00080k","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Previous work demonstrated that controlled inhibition of disulphide metathesis using copper(ii) methacrylate (CuMA) can enable high recycling efficiency in conventional (CV) and semi-efficient (SEV) cure systems. However, CuMA's high cost and limited commercial availability restrict its industrial application. This study investigates triphenylphosphine (TPP) as a more accessible inhibitor, used alone or in combination with CuMA, to achieve comparable recycling performance at reduced cost. Cure characteristics were evaluated using Moving Die Rheometer analysis, and mechanical properties were assessed through tensile testing to quantify recycling efficiency. Results show that TPP alone provides moderate recyclability, while TPP-CuMA blends deliver efficiencies similar to pure CuMA in CV systems and superior performance in SEV systems. These findings highlight a commercially viable approach to recycling sulphur-cured NR compounds, reducing reliance on virgin rubber and supporting sustainable manufacturing.</p>","PeriodicalId":74745,"journal":{"name":"RSC sustainability","volume":"4 10","pages":"3714-3724"},"PeriodicalIF":6.6,"publicationDate":"2026-08-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13644683/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149139854","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Rice bran wax-hexane superhydrophobic coating production: an environmental assessment.","authors":"Maite Mañana-Garce, Brenda Resendiz-Diaz, Marco Vaccari, Monica Puccini, Colin R Crick","doi":"10.1039/d6su00434b","DOIUrl":"10.1039/d6su00434b","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Food packaging waste, particularly from plastic-based materials, represents an environmental concern, accounting for nearly half of global plastic waste. While bio-based superhydrophobic coatings have recently emerged as promising alternatives, their environmental implications remain insufficiently understood. This study applies a laboratory-scale cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment (LCA) to establish the environmental profile of rice bran wax-<i>n</i>-hexane superhydrophobic coating fabrication and identify the environmental hotspots within its production stage. The analysis is based on primary laboratory-scale production data, with a functional unit representing the preparation of the coating dispersion required for coating 1 m² of glass surface. Solvent selection was identified as the dominant contributor across all impact categories, accounting for at least 50% of the total impact, followed by electricity under the laboratory-scale modelling assumptions. Sensitivity analysis showed that substituting <i>n</i>-hexane with petroleum ether led to substantial reductions across all categories, with reductions exceeding 50% for eutrophication potential (64%), photochemical ozone creation potential (61%), abiotic depletion potential (elements) (53%), and terrestrial ecotoxicity potential (51%). Replacing the baseline electricity mix with renewable electricity further reduced impacts, with the most significant decrease observed in global warming potential (36%). Although petroleum ether resulted in slightly lower coating performance, it consistently achieved lower environmental impacts, highlighting the importance of integrating environmental assessment alongside functional performance during material selection. Overall, this study establishes an environmental baseline for an emerging bio-based superhydrophobic coating and demonstrates how early-stage LCA can identify fabrication hotspots and support environmentally informed process design for the development of more sustainable barrier coating technologies. Laboratory-scale LCA reveals solvent selection and associated upstream processes as the main environmental hotspots in coating dispersion preparation. Switching solvent systems and electricity supply significantly reduces environmental impacts.</p>","PeriodicalId":74745,"journal":{"name":"RSC sustainability","volume":"4 10","pages":"3678-3691"},"PeriodicalIF":6.6,"publicationDate":"2026-08-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13644681/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149139882","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Electrified, decentralised upcycling of platinum-group metals from spent automotive catalysts into functional electrocatalysts","authors":"Luis F. Leon-Fernandez, Frantisek Kukurugya, Omar Martinez-Mora, Stefanos Mourdikoudis, Lunjie Zeng, Maria M. Parascanu, Aitana Saez, Jan Fransaer, Jeroen Spooren and Xochitl Dominguez-Benetton","doi":"10.1039/D6SU00190D","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/D6SU00190D","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Securing platinum-group metals (PGMs) for low-carbon technologies requires recycling routes that are both efficient and deployable near the source of waste. We report a fully electrified, modular flowsheet that couples microwave-assisted leaching (MWAL) with gas-diffusion electrocrystallization (GDEx) to recover and upcycle PGMs from spent automotive catalysts. Using 1.5 M HCl + 1.5 M NaCl at up to 200 °C and L/S ≤ 10, MWAL achieves ≥90% PGM leaching while suppressing matrix dissolution at lower L/S. The resulting multielement leachates are treated at room temperature by GDEx (10–200 mA cm<small>⁻²</small>), which selectively converts dissolved PGMs into ∼5 nm alloy nanoparticles of ∼83–91 wt% purity with &gt;95% metal conversion. The as-recovered nanoparticles act directly as electrocatalysts for the methanol oxidation reaction, delivering MA = 241.7 mA mg<small>_Pt</small><small>⁻¹</small>, SA = 0.42 mA cm<small>⁻²</small>, and ∼85% activity retention after 1000 cycles. Closed-loop leachate reuse between GDEx and MWAL preserves PGM extraction while progressively reducing matrix co-leaching. Life-cycle assessment identifies MWAL electricity as the primary hotspot (∼half of the average impacts), followed by GDEx effluent neutralisation. A 30% heat recovery in MWAL and low-carbon electricity reduces burdens (up to 60% in climate change). A techno-economic assessment at 50 L h<small>⁻¹</small> treatment capacity indicates robust viability (operating margin 13.9%, NPV = 9.08 M€, IRR = 45.1%, 4 year payback), with further gains from scale-up and valorising the nanoparticle product. The MWAL-GDEx route thus offers a scalable, decentralisation-ready, electrified pathway that recovers PGMs with high efficiency and directly upgrades them into functional catalysts.</p>","PeriodicalId":74745,"journal":{"name":"RSC sustainability","volume":" 6","pages":" 2729-2747"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2026-05-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2026/su/d6su00190d?page=search","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148214928","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Correction: Enhanced plant growth and harvestable yield through fluorescent copper-based composites","authors":"Konstantinos T. Kotoulas, Thomas Hinton, Ethan Macallister, Jai Ram, John D. Wallis, Yunhong Jiang, Andrew D. Burrows, Gareth W. V. Cave and Ming Xie","doi":"10.1039/D6SU90025A","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/D6SU90025A","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Correction for ‘Enhanced plant growth and harvestable yield through fluorescent copper-based composites’ by Konstantinos T. Kotoulas <em>et al.</em>, <em>RSC Sustainability</em>, 2026, https://doi.org/10.1039/d5su00947b.</p>","PeriodicalId":74745,"journal":{"name":"RSC sustainability","volume":" 6","pages":" 2758-2758"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2026-05-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2026/su/d6su90025a?page=search","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148214930","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Recovery of bioactive plant compounds from biomass waste using sustainable methods: a review","authors":"Edgar I. Juárez-Robles, Rodrigo Barrón-Velázquez, Mariana Macías-Alonso, Rosa Hernández-Soto, Iván Córdova-Guerrero and Joaquin G. Marrero","doi":"10.1039/D5SU00695C","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/D5SU00695C","url":null,"abstract":"<p >The circular bioeconomy promotes the sustainable use of renewable biomass to enhance resource efficiency and reduce environmental impacts. In this context, residual plant biomass is an underutilised feedstock rich in high-value bioactive phytochemicals, including terpenes, phenolic compounds, and nitrogen-containing metabolites, with applications in the food, cosmetic, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical sectors. However, their selective recovery remains challenging due to the complexity of plant matrices and the technical, economic, and environmental constraints of conventional extraction processes. This review critically examines recent advances in green extraction and purification technologies for the recovery of bioactive secondary metabolites from agricultural and medicinal plant residues. Environmentally benign and intensified methodologies—such as supercritical fluid extraction, deep eutectic solvents, microwave- and ultrasound-assisted extraction, and enzyme-assisted processes—are discussed with emphasis on matrix-dependent behaviour, scalability limitations, and integration potential within biorefinery frameworks. Techno-economic aspects, including capital and operational costs, industrial feasibility, and broader environmental, circularity, and societal considerations, are also addressed. Overall, this review provides a balanced perspective on the opportunities and limitations of sustainable bioactive recovery pathways.</p>","PeriodicalId":74745,"journal":{"name":"RSC sustainability","volume":" 6","pages":" 2463-2490"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2026-05-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2026/su/d5su00695c?page=search","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148214945","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A model for evaluating programs to promote pro-environmental attitudes and behavior","authors":"Ayshi Sindiani-Bsoul, Sherman Rosenfeld, Shelley Rap and Ron Blonder","doi":"10.1039/D5SU00880H","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/D5SU00880H","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Many educational programs seek to promote students' pro-environmental attitudes and behaviors, yet few are explicitly designed or examined in light of evidence-based design features known to support such change. This study presents and examines the validity of an evaluation model, the Environmental Attitudes and Behavior Model, through its application to an independently developed intervention program targeting ninth-grade students' attitudes and behaviors related to SDG 13 (Climate Action). The model is grounded in eight design features identified in the literature as effective in fostering pro-environmental attitudes and behaviors. Using a mixed-methods approach, we examined pre-post changes in the attitudes and behaviors of 23 teachers and 127 students through questionnaires, alongside interviews with six teachers and eight student groups. The findings indicate improvements in students' environmental attitudes and behaviors, as well as in their perceived importance of learning about these issues. Analysis of interview data further examined the presence of the model's design features in the intervention, leading to the suggestion of an additional design feature and the refinement of the model into a nine-feature framework. We recommend that evaluations of environmental education programs adopt a dual approach that combines assessment of learning outcomes with analysis of the presence of evidence-based design features that promote pro-environmental attitudes and behavior.</p>","PeriodicalId":74745,"journal":{"name":"RSC sustainability","volume":" 6","pages":" 2636-2652"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2026-05-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2026/su/d5su00880h?page=search","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148214957","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Biodiesel production under a microwave-assisted approach using a glycerol-derived Zn bifunctional catalyst","authors":"Michelle Pains Duarte, Luis Páramo, Tashiah Roper-Mungal and Rafik Naccache","doi":"10.1039/D6SU00192K","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/D6SU00192K","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Biodiesel production still relies heavily on homogeneous catalysts and edible oils, which leads to costly production and purification steps. Heterogeneous bifunctional catalysts have emerged as promising alternatives as they can be easily recovered and reused, in addition to tolerating low-grade feedstocks. Moreover, biodiesel production generates a substantial amount of crude glycerol as a byproduct, which creates a crucial need for valorisation strategies. Herein, to overcome these challenges, a zinc oxide-glycerol-based material was synthesized and employed as a bifunctional catalyst for the conversion of acidified corn oil into biodiesel <em>via</em> a microwave-assisted approach. Physicochemical characterization revealed a flower-like mesoporous structure and the presence of ZnO as the main active phase. Reaction parameters, including oil-to-methanol molar ratio, catalyst loading, temperature, and reaction time, were optimized to determine conditions that maximize conversion efficiency, achieving the highest conversion of 94.5% at 150 °C for 1.5 hours using a 5 wt% catalyst loading and a 1 : 24 oil-to-methanol molar ratio. Furthermore, reusability studies showed that the material remains stable for up to five reaction cycles. Our findings highlight the potential of using glycerol as a precursor for the synthesis of heterogeneous catalysts and offer a circular and economically viable alternative for biodiesel production, rendering it more sustainable.</p>","PeriodicalId":74745,"journal":{"name":"RSC sustainability","volume":" 6","pages":" 2653-2664"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2026-05-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2026/su/d6su00192k?page=search","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148214958","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}