RSC sustainability最新文献

{"title":"Integrating traditional ecological knowledge into a circular economy framework using the example of consumer durable goods for northern rural communities","authors":"Yasamin Atabaki Fard Tehrani, Atanu Sarkar and Shegufta Shetranjiwalla","doi":"10.1039/D4SU00623B","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SU00623B","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Consumer Durable Goods (CDG)s have a large energy and water footprint during their lifecycle and are one of the largest contributors to municipal waste upon disposal. While CDG waste becomes invisible to consumers in urban communities, due to relatively well-established waste management infrastructure, it is inequitable in rural communities where deteriorating/decomposing goods remain on native lands/landfills and pose a risk to people and ecosystems. Therefore, a sustainable approach that emphasizes resource efficiency, waste reduction and an inclusive framework for the design, use and circularity of CDGs is imperative. This study examines the circular economy (CE) as a promising approach for CDGs in the Canadian context, where there are unique geographical challenges, particularly in remote, rural, and indigenous communities with limited recycling and repair infrastructure. It carefully considers the integration of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) in developing sustainable strategies for the circular materials management of CDGs to mitigate these challenges. This critical analysis explores global and national consumption trends and translates them into local knowledge gaps to reveal the barriers to the effective adoption of CE practices and identifies the opportunities and challenges in integrating TEK into CE for CDGs in remote and rural communities. It also provides recommendations and insights into how CE principles infused with TEK and indigenous wisdom can address UN SDGs 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 3 globally and help build capacity to support local solutions for waste reduction, resource efficiency, improved community economy and environmental health of remote and rural communities.</p>","PeriodicalId":74745,"journal":{"name":"RSC sustainability","volume":" 5","pages":" 2048-2063"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2025/su/d4su00623b?page=search","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143918906","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 new synthetic approach for high surface area mesoporous silica and its use towards sustainable antifouling materials †","authors":"Paola Marzullo, Alessandro Presentato, Francesca D'Anna, Vincenzo Campisciano, Rosa Alduina, Enrico Tornatore, Francesco Giacalone, Leonarda Francesca Liotta and Michelangelo Gruttadauria","doi":"10.1039/D5SU00047E","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/D5SU00047E","url":null,"abstract":"<p >For the first time, a silica gel was obtained by hydrolysis of tetraethyl orthosilicate in the presence of resorcinol. This simple method gave a nano-silica with high specific surface area (1000 m<small>²</small> g<small>⁻¹</small>) and narrow pore size distribution. Resorcinol cannot form a self-assembled structure such as a micelle. Therefore, the formation mechanism of this new silica differs from that of mesostructured silica. A possible explanation for the role played by resorcinol was given. Then, as an application of this new silica gel, a set of quaternary ammonium salt (QAS)-based silanes were synthesized and tested for their antibacterial activity against the <em>Pseudomonas delhiensis</em> PS27 strain earlier described for its resilience towards adverse and stressful environmental conditions. Therefore, the novel nano-silica alongside the most active QAS-based silane was successfully prepared and further incorporated into a polydimethylpolysiloxane (PDMS) polymer matrix. The resulting film exhibited significant antibiofilm activity, inhibiting bacterial cell attachment onto the QAS-silica/PDMS composite surface without killing planktonic cells. In contrast, the composite material prepared using commercially available silica gel did not show antibiofilm activity. This finding suggests a different role in activity when the QAS-based silane is covalently attached to very high surface area silica.</p>","PeriodicalId":74745,"journal":{"name":"RSC sustainability","volume":" 5","pages":" 2352-2365"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2025/su/d5su00047e?page=search","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143918851","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":"MXene-based nanocomposites: a new horizon for electrochemical monitoring of environmental pollutants","authors":"Ali Hyder, Meher-Un-Nisa Khilji, Jamil A. Buledi, Ayaz Ali Memon, Azharuddin Ghanghro, Misbah ur Rehman and Khalid Hussain Thebo","doi":"10.1039/D4SU00828F","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SU00828F","url":null,"abstract":"<p >MXenes, two-dimensional (2D) transition metal carbides and nitrides, have garnered attention due to their outstanding electrical conductivity, expansive surface area, and customizable surface chemistry and have been widely investigated for use in environmental sensors in recent years. This review presents a variety of methodologies for synthesizing MXene-based nanocomposites and their utilization as electrochemical sensors for the detection of environmental pollutants, including organic pesticides, antibiotic drugs, heavy metals, and synthetic phenolic compounds in real matrices. The review includes various synthesis approaches, which include a spectrum of techniques, such as chemical etching, intercalation, and surface modification, all directed at tailoring the properties of MXenes to optimize sensor functionality. Subsequently, the role of these MXene-based nanocomposites in electrochemical sensing will be discussed in detail. These sensors demonstrate exceptional sensitivity, selectivity, and swift responsiveness, positioning them as promising contenders for on-the-spot monitoring of pollutants. The specific emphasis on heavy metals tackles the pervasive concern of water contamination, while the identification of organic pesticides and antibiotic drugs addresses issues in agricultural and pharmaceutical wastewater. The electrochemical sensing capacities of MXene-based nanocomposites offer promising prospects for effective and portable devices for environmental monitoring. We believe this review will provide new ideas and research directions for readers working with sensor-based technologies.</p>","PeriodicalId":74745,"journal":{"name":"RSC sustainability","volume":" 5","pages":" 2160-2184"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2025/su/d4su00828f?page=search","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143918912","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":"Strategic innovation in CuBTC/PANI nanocomposites for dye remediation: a holistic approach for enhancing adsorption, isotherms, and kinetic studies †","authors":"Bhavika Garg, Palkaran Sethi and Soumen Basu","doi":"10.1039/D5SU00056D","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/D5SU00056D","url":null,"abstract":"<p >The environmental persistence of reactive blue 19 dye poses a significant challenge, driving the urgent need for efficient removal technologies to protect water quality. This study introduces a highly effective solution in the form of a copper benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylate (CuBTC) composite integrated with polyaniline (PANI), designed for the adsorption of Reactive Blue-19 (RB19) dye. The CuBTC/PANI composite was synthesized at varying weight ratios (5%, 10%, and 15%) and meticulously analyzed using a suite of advanced techniques, including FESEM, EDS, FTIR, XPS, XRD, and BET surface area analysis. These characterization studies confirmed the composite's exceptional structural integrity, thermal stability, and high porosity. The adsorption efficiency of the composite was evaluated under various conditions, such as adsorbent dosage, dye concentration, pH, temperature, and contact time. Impressively, the composite achieved a 99% removal efficiency for 60 ppm RB19 at pH 2 within just 50 minutes. Reusability tests highlighted the material's remarkable durability, exhibiting consistent performance over six cycles. Five equilibrium isotherm models were employed to unravel the adsorption process. The Langmuir model (<em>R</em><small>²</small> = 0.998) provided the best fit, suggesting that the adsorption process follows a monolayer pattern driven primarily by chemisorption. Post-adsorption FTIR analysis unveiled additional interactions, such as hydrogen bonding, π–π stacking, electrostatic forces, and pore filling, further elucidating the complex adsorption mechanism. Kinetic studies, based on four models revealed that the pseudo-second-order model (<em>R</em><small>²</small> = 0.990) best describes the process, with a rate constant of 0.172 mg g<small>⁻¹</small> min<small>⁻¹</small>, indicating that adsorption is governed by a chemical reaction. Thermodynamic analysis indicated that the process is endothermic (Δ<em>H</em> = 795.15 J mol<small>⁻¹</small>) and spontaneous (Δ<em>G</em> = −1.790 kJ mol<small>⁻¹</small>), and results in a decrease in randomness at the solid–liquid interface (Δ<em>S</em> = 3.082 J mol<small>⁻¹</small> K<small>⁻¹</small>). This study provides a comprehensive chemical engineering analysis of the adsorption process, encompassing isotherm, kinetic, and thermodynamic models. The CuBTC/PANI composite emerges as a highly efficient and sustainable material for the removal of RB19, offering not only exceptional adsorption capacity and rapid kinetics but also impressive reusability. This work paves the way for a promising solution in the fight against dye-contaminated wastewater, outshining traditional methods and heralding a new era of water treatment technology.</p>","PeriodicalId":74745,"journal":{"name":"RSC sustainability","volume":" 5","pages":" 2311-2324"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2025/su/d5su00056d?page=search","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143918847","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":"Fabricating lignocellulosic films as potential biobased plastics†","authors":"Antonella Rozaria Nefeli Pontillo, Sirui Chen, Diego Freire Ordóñez, Niall Mac Dowell, Koon-Yang Lee and Tom Welton","doi":"10.1039/D5SU00197H","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/D5SU00197H","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Replacing petroleum based plastic packaging with an environmentally sustainable and economically viable process is an important step towards the goal of displacing oil as a petrochemical feedstock. Here we report the preparation of thin films consisting only of cellulose and lignin, using a recyclable ionic liquid. A co-solvent, DMSO, was used to decrease the viscosity of the dope solutions and facilitate the dissolution of the lignin. The films exhibit high mechanical properties with the tensile strength ranging between 65.44 and 93.15 MPa, comparable to those of commercial counterparts, while the presence of lignin increases the viscosity of the dope solutions, adds UV blockage to the films and decreases the wettability of the films with the water contact angle increasing up to 48.6%. The films are stable in various solvents and when immersed in aqueous solutions can swell and double in mass. The research also confirms that the ionic liquid can be retrieved and reused for at least five cycles without hindering its chemical composition and thermal stability.</p>","PeriodicalId":74745,"journal":{"name":"RSC sustainability","volume":" 5","pages":" 2301-2310"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2025/su/d5su00197h?page=search","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143918880","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 biomass-derived nickel-based nanomaterial as a sustainable and reusable catalyst for hydrogenation of arenes and heteroarenes†","authors":"Vishakha Goyal, Tarun Bhatt, Anshid Kuttasseri, Arup Mahata, Radek Zbořil, Kishore Natte and Rajenahally V. Jagadeesh","doi":"10.1039/D5SU00026B","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/D5SU00026B","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Selective hydrogenation of functionalized aromatic- and hetero-aromatic hydrocarbons is an essential research area in synthetic chemistry, which gives straightforward access to an array of saturated carbo- and heterocyclic compounds. To accomplish this hydrogenation process in a more resourceful and cost-effective manner, the development and applicability of potential catalytic materials, particularly based on earth-abundant metals, are crucial. From the viewpoint of sustainability and circular economy, such catalytic systems should be derived from waste biomass. Here, we report the preparation and application of plant-based waste biomass such as pine needle-derived Ni-nanoparticles as an efficient catalyst for the hydrogenation of (hetero)arenes. The immobilization of Ni-nitrate on pine needles and subsequent pyrolysis generates zero-valent Ni-nanoparticles (5–8 nm), which are embedded in a highly mesoporous N-doped graphitic matrix. The resulting nickel nanoparticles exhibited high activity and selectivity as well as stability and reusability for the hydrogenation of functionalized arenes as well as nitrogen and oxygen-containing heteroarenes to obtain various cyclo-aliphatic compounds including tetrahydroquinolines, tetrahydroquinoxalines and dihydrobenzofurans as well as key starting materials of pharmaceutical agents. DFT calculations have been made for this Ni-catalytic (hetero)arene hydrogenation process, which revealed favorable reaction thermodynamic and kinetic as well as mechanistic feasibility for selective ring reduction.</p>","PeriodicalId":74745,"journal":{"name":"RSC sustainability","volume":" 5","pages":" 2235-2245"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2025/su/d5su00026b?page=search","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143918876","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":"Multienzyme cascade synthesis of ω-amino fatty acids from vegetable-derived precursors for use as nylon monomers","authors":"Yueyue Zhou, Ran Lu, Xiaoxia Gao, Lu Lin, Yongjun Wei and Xiao-Jun Ji","doi":"10.1039/D4SU00764F","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SU00764F","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Omega-amino fatty acids (ω-AmFAs) are non-natural organic molecules with amino and carboxyl groups located at the ends of unbranched carbon chains. They are widely used in the synthesis of polymers such as polyesters and polyamides, as well as in the production of chemical products such as biofuels and pharmaceutical intermediates. In recent years, the production of such materials and other chemicals <em>via</em> the fermentation of renewable resources using engineered microorganisms has become a hot spot of research, as examples of emerging green and low-carbon technologies. Traditional petrochemical synthesis methods of nylon monomers often face problems such as environmental pollution, increased energy consumption and high cost. By contrast, the catalytic production of ω-AmFAs from fatty acids such as oleic acid, ricinoleic acid and lauric acid found in vegetable oils using a multienzyme cascade has the unique advantages of being environmentally friendly and having high process economics. This paper reviews multienzyme synthesis strategies of ω-AmFAs used as nylon monomers.</p>","PeriodicalId":74745,"journal":{"name":"RSC sustainability","volume":" 5","pages":" 2149-2159"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2025/su/d4su00764f?page=search","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143918911","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":"Eco-designed ZSM-5 zeolites: biomass-assisted modifications and catalytic evaluation through model reactions","authors":"Camille Longue, Anne Bolmont, Valérie Ruaux, Aurélie Vicente, Nourrdine Chaouati, Marie Desmurs, Benoît Louis and Ludovic Pinard","doi":"10.1039/D5SU00072F","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/D5SU00072F","url":null,"abstract":"<p >This study evaluates the impact of biomass addition on the physicochemical properties of ZSM-5 zeolites. Three families of zeolites were synthesized hydrothermally: a reference zeolite without biomass, one with lignin, and another combining lignin and sugarcane bagasse. Biomass has been shown to modify the zeolite structure by reducing the crystal size, favouring aluminium incorporation within the framework and reducing the number of defects as internal silanols. These modifications are attributed to the chemical interactions between biomass and inorganic precursors present in solution. The catalytic performance of these zeolites was analysed in <em>n</em>-hexane cracking and in the methanol to olefin (MTO) reactions. Zeolites synthesized with biomass demonstrated improved catalytic stability and selectivity towards light olefins, thanks to an enhanced diffusion path. Lignin, in particular, helped minimize structural defects, thus improving the catalyst lifetime. The addition of biomass offers significant advantages for tailoring zeolite properties while using renewable and abundant resources. This innovative approach opens up interesting prospects for the sustainable design of catalytic materials. It also enables agricultural and industrial wastes to be recycled into high value-added applications, strengthening the links between green chemistry and industrial performance.</p>","PeriodicalId":74745,"journal":{"name":"RSC sustainability","volume":" 5","pages":" 2221-2234"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2025/su/d5su00072f?page=search","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143918904","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":"Producing dissolving pulp from agricultural waste","authors":"Joanna Wojtasz, Niclas Sjöstedt, Benjamin Storm, Manuel Mammen Parayil, Amanda Ulefors, Linnea Nilsson, Maria Alejandra Hernández Leal, Anne Michud, Åsa Östlund, Tomas Rydberg and Diana Bernin","doi":"10.1039/D4SU00534A","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SU00534A","url":null,"abstract":"<p >A growing population imposes an increased demand on textile fibres based on cellulose. Forecasts predict a cellulose gap due to the lack of cotton and the need to assess other sustainable cellulose resources for dissolving pulp production. Circular cellulose resources might be agricultural wastes. Here we evaluated oat husks, wheat straw, potato pulp and pressed sugar beet pulp which are available in sufficient amounts in Sweden to produce dissolving pulp using the soda pulping process. Initial pulps from oat and wheat were further refined to achieve the purity of the dissolving pulp while potato and sugar beets were discarded due to processing difficulties. High purity dissolving pulps were obtained including both acid prehydrolysis pretreatment, soda cooking and a bleaching sequence. To evaluate the environmental impact of the production of dissolving pulp from oat husks and wheat straw, the process was scaled-up from lab scale to industrial scale and simulated, using Aspen PLUS. The results of the process simulations were evaluated through life-cycle assessment. Processing wheat straw required a higher chemical and energy demand compared to oat, but wheat pulp had a lower environmental impact. Both wheat and oat pulp had a higher impact than wood due to differences in cultivation. Nevertheless, dissolving pulp from wheat and oat might be a sustainable substitute for cotton or dissolving pulp from wood.</p>","PeriodicalId":74745,"journal":{"name":"RSC sustainability","volume":" 5","pages":" 2210-2220"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2025/su/d4su00534a?page=search","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143918903","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":"Spray-coating polystyrene on perovskite solar cells increases thermal stability and moisture tolerance†","authors":"Azar Sadollahkhani, Valentina Leandri, Mahboubeh Jamshidi and James M. Gardner","doi":"10.1039/D4SU00641K","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SU00641K","url":null,"abstract":"<p >The primary challenge for the commercialization of hybrid perovskite solar cells (PSCs) is their chemical and thermal instability as compared to Si devices. Herein, we demonstrate that PSCs spray-coated with polystyrene retain 80% of their efficiency after 40 hours immersed in water or at 95 °C.</p>","PeriodicalId":74745,"journal":{"name":"RSC sustainability","volume":" 5","pages":" 2192-2197"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2025/su/d4su00641k?page=search","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143918899","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}