RSC sustainability最新文献

{"title":"Exploration of solvent, volume, and catalyst effects on fluoride-catalyzed end-of-life depolymerization of silicones to cyclic monomers†","authors":"Andrew C. Deller, Herenia Espitia Armenta, E. A. Kalani D. Edirisinghe, Mitchell E. Deller, Kristan L. Major, Buddhima Rupasinghe and Joseph C. Furgal","doi":"10.1039/D5SU00551E","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/D5SU00551E","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Recycling end-of-life silicones is of interest due to the high energy cost associated with producing new materials from virgin raw materials. This work explores the chemical recycling of various commercially available silicone rubbers and fluids using catalytic amounts of tetrabutylammonium fluoride (TBAF) in different solvents and solvent volumes. This method allows for the room-temperature depolymerization of each silicone tested to cyclic siloxane oligomers, with the major product being D<small>₄</small> siloxane. Suitable sustainable solvents such as ethyl acetate and cyclopentylmethyl ether were identified for the TBAF-catalyzed depolymerization, and the relationship between the solvent volume used in the reaction and the product distribution was determined and optimized, showing a 1 : 10 polymer mass to solvent volume ratio as ideal. The depolymerization was carried out on a large scale using a consumer product and silicone elastomer, and it was found that the cyclic siloxanes could be isolated <em>via</em> fractional distillation. The fluoride-induced rearrangement of D<small>₆</small> siloxane was used to study the reaction kinetics by <small>¹</small>H NMR array experiments. Alternative fluoride catalyst systems were explored which utilized a combination of a phase transfer catalyst, such as polyethylene glycol, and an alkali fluoride salt. These systems were found to convert silicone rubber to cyclic oligomers with product distributions similar to those observed for the TBAF catalyzed process.</p>","PeriodicalId":74745,"journal":{"name":"RSC sustainability","volume":" 10","pages":" 4776-4784"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-07-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2025/su/d5su00551e?page=search","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145196136","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":"Environmental degradation and durability of bulk 3D-printed parts from biodegradable polyester blends of PBS, PLA, and PHB in seawater†","authors":"Alisa Sabalina, Sergejs Gaidukovs, Oskars Platnieks, Olesja Starkova, Gerda Gaidukova, Liga Orlova and Maksims Jurinovs","doi":"10.1039/D5SU00275C","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/D5SU00275C","url":null,"abstract":"<p >The environmental degradation of biodegradable polyester parts prepared <em>via</em> fused filament fabrication (FFF) from poly(butylene succinate) (PBS)/poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and PBS/poly(hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) blends (5/5 and 7/3 w/w) was systematically studied in static artificial seawater over six months. In contrast to typical thin-film degradation studies, bulk specimens provide realistic insights into the degradation behavior of thicker polymer products encountered in practical marine applications. 3D-printed dumbbell specimens fabricated with concentric and rectilinear infill patterns were investigated to tackle this issue and respond to emerging additive manufacturing trends. Changes in mechanical performance were significant, with the PBS/PHB (5/5) blend showing a pronounced 3.3-fold reduction in ultimate strength and a 2.5-fold reduction in elastic modulus. A three-stage sorption model was applied, quantifying water diffusion, hydrolytic degradation, and leaching of polymer components. Morphological examinations using scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy revealed crystalline salt deposits forming preferentially at interlayer interfaces, contributing to accelerated structural deterioration. Differential scanning calorimetry further showed shifts in crystallization temperature and crystallinity, underscoring alterations in polymer structure due to degradation. These results demonstrate that bulk part dimensions and 3D printing parameters critically influence degradation pathways, emphasizing the necessity of bulk-scale studies to predict real-world degradation behavior in marine environments accurately.</p>","PeriodicalId":74745,"journal":{"name":"RSC sustainability","volume":" 9","pages":" 4049-4066"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-07-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2025/su/d5su00275c?page=search","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144909555","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":"Transforming biomass into sustainable biohydrogen: an in-depth analysis","authors":"Md. Merajul Islam and Amina Nafees","doi":"10.1039/D4SU00705K","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SU00705K","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Hydrogen is considered one of the most effective alternative fuels in the journey toward achieving zero greenhouse gases in the future. Currently, it remains predominantly sourced from non-renewable energy resources, such as fossil fuels. Unfortunately, a significant concern regarding our dependence on these exhausted resources is their profound adverse effects on our environment. We view the development of a proposed biomass-to-sustainable hydrogen strategy as an attractive opportunity to produce a sustainable strategic hydrogen source. To achieve large-scale commercial adoption of biohydrogen, it is essential to optimize a range of operating parameters. In this context, machine learning is essential for achieving such results alongside physicochemical, biological, and electrochemical methods. These advanced techniques enable researchers to optimize processes, predict outcomes, and enhance the efficiency of experiments. By integrating machine learning with traditional methods, scientists can uncover insights that were previously unattainable. This review explores the recent advancements in thermochemical, biological, and electrochemical methods for generating biohydrogen from biomass. Advanced methodologies and thermochemical processes, like thermal plasma, are crucial for gasifying materials, modelling processes, treating sewage sludge, and enhancing hydrogen production by capturing and using CO<small>₂</small>. These methods have shown significant promise in increasing the efficiency and sustainability of biohydrogen production. By leveraging innovative techniques, researchers aim to optimize the conversion processes and enhance the overall yield of hydrogen, contributing to cleaner energy solutions. It highlights the use of machine learning in operational analysis, emphasizing its ability to capture complex relationships between operational and performance factors. The authors have thoroughly examined the applications, obstacles, and sustainability of biohydrogen. The authors have outlined the forthcoming perspectives and challenges. These findings provide a comprehensive understanding of the current state of biohydrogen research and its future potential. By articulating these insights, the authors contribute valuable knowledge to the ongoing discourse in this field. Ultimately, the authors have articulated their findings.</p>","PeriodicalId":74745,"journal":{"name":"RSC sustainability","volume":" 10","pages":" 4250-4297"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-07-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2025/su/d4su00705k?page=search","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145196056","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":"Immobilization of aldehyde reductase for the production of bioplastic precursors from agricultural fatty acids†","authors":"Devesh Mohne, Yeddula Nikhileshwar Reddy, Kshitij Rawat, Mahesh D. Patil and Jayeeta Bhaumik","doi":"10.1039/D5SU00311C","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/D5SU00311C","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Herein, we report the biosynthesis of bioplastic precursors thourgh the immobilization of aldehyde reductase (AHR) onto a metal organic framework (UIO-66-NH<small>₂</small>). Kinetic analysis demonstrated that the immobilized AHR maintained significant catalytic activity and exhibited improved operational stability, as well as higher reusability, compared with the free AHR. Furthermore, the synthetic applicability of the immobilized AHR was evaluated in tandem with that of transaminase derived from <em>S. pomeroyi</em> (spTA), where 8, 10, and 12 carbon chain ω-amino fatty acids (ω-AFAs) were biosynthesized from the corresponding hydroxy fatty acids (ω-HFAs) with ∼90% conversions.</p>","PeriodicalId":74745,"journal":{"name":"RSC sustainability","volume":" 9","pages":" 3910-3914"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-07-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2025/su/d5su00311c?page=search","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144909533","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-sustainable magnetic polymer composites using recycled and rare-earth-free hard magnetic fillers†","authors":"Ayda Ghary Haghighat, Eider Matxinandiarena, Manuela Zubitur, Agurtzane Mugica, Fulvio Bellato, Anna M. Ferretti, Alessandro Ponti, Souad Ammar, Maryam Abdolrahimi, Gaspare Varvaro, Pierfrancesco Maltoni, Dario Cavallo, Alexander Omelyanchik, Alejandro J. Müller and Davide Peddis","doi":"10.1039/D5SU00222B","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/D5SU00222B","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Biodegradable polymer matrices, poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL), and poly(butylene succinate-<em>ran</em>-butylene adipate) (PBSA) were used to fabricate magnetic composites with recycled NdFeB and rare earth-free lab-synthesized ferrite fillers (SrFe<small>₁₂</small>O<small>₁₉</small> and SrFe<small>₁₂</small>O<small>₁₉</small>–CoFe<small>₂</small>O<small>₄</small>) across a wide filling range (1–90%). Results obtained by differential scanning calorimetry, polarized light optical microscopy, and phase contrast microscopy, indicated that the magnetic particles tend to aggregate, leading to bimodality in the crystallization process, which can be attributed to distinct regions of the composites with well-dispersed and aggregated particles. Notably, ferrite fillers exhibited lower magnetic anisotropy compared to NdFeB, enabling magnetic saturation at lower fields. These results demonstrate the potential of combining biodegradable polymers with sustainable magnetic fillers for eco-friendly circular economy applications.</p>","PeriodicalId":74745,"journal":{"name":"RSC sustainability","volume":" 9","pages":" 4029-4038"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-07-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2025/su/d5su00222b?page=search","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144909554","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":"Selective ring-opening of furfuryl alcohol to 1,5-pentanediol over Pt/aluminosilicates†","authors":"Lee J. Durndell, Vannia C. dos Santos-Durndell, Atal Shivhare, James A. Hunns, Karen Wilson and Adam F. Lee","doi":"10.1039/D5SU00302D","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/D5SU00302D","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Biomass-derived diols are key chemical building blocks for the sustainable chemical manufacturing of textiles and plastics, however their synthesis by a selective, scalable process from holocellulose is challenging. Furfuryl alcohol (FALC) is a potential precursor to 1,5-pentanediol (1,5-PeD) through acid-catalysed hydrogenolysis, and hence the impact of oxide support acidity on this reaction over Pt nanoparticles was investigated under batch and continuous flow in toluene. Platinum dispersed over weakly acidic fumed silica and mesoporous SBA-15 supports was almost inactive towards furfuryl alcohol at 150 °C and 10 bar H<small>₂</small> and promoted decarbonylation and hydrodeoxygenation of FALC to furan and methyltetrahydrofuran, respectively. The introduction of Al<small>³⁺</small> into silica supports, to form either an amorphous silica-aluminate (ASA) or mesoporous Al-SBA-15, selectively activated the cyclic ether bond at the C2–O position, increasing the specific activity for FALC conversion in continuous flow from 20 mmol g<small>_Pt</small><small>⁻¹</small> h<small>⁻¹</small> (Pt/SBA-15) to 295 mmol g<small>_Pt</small><small>⁻¹</small> h<small>⁻¹</small> (Pt/ASA), and 1,5-PeD selectivity from ∼25% (Pt/SBA-15) to 65% (Pt/ASA). This synergy between metal and acid sites resulted in a &gt;25-fold enhancement in 1,5-PeD productivity, reaching 186 mmol g<small>_Pt</small><small>⁻¹</small> h<small>⁻¹</small> for Pt/ASA, and was maintained for 7 h time-on-stream with negligible deactivation or metal leaching. A moderately acidic Pt/γ-Al<small>₂</small>O<small>₃</small> catalyst exhibited reactivity intermediate between that of the Pt/silica and Pt/aluminosilicate catalysts. The yield of 1,5-PeD was directly proportional to the support acid site loading, indicating a common reaction mechanism. These findings demonstrate the striking promotion of metal catalysed hydrogenation that can be achieved through judicious support selection, and its translation from batch to flow with similar reaction kinetics.</p>","PeriodicalId":74745,"journal":{"name":"RSC sustainability","volume":" 9","pages":" 4108-4115"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-07-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2025/su/d5su00302d?page=search","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144909560","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":"How do you (dis)solve a problem like methylene chloride?†","authors":"James Sherwood","doi":"10.1039/D5SU00443H","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/D5SU00443H","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Chemical regulation in the European Union (EU) and the United States of America (USA) has restricted the use of some historically important solvents, essentially banning certain uses. The most high profile regulatory action thus far has been a ‘Final Risk Management Rule’ prohibiting all consumer uses, and many commercial uses, of methylene chloride (dichloromethane, DCM) by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The unique properties of chlorinated solvents makes direct substitution difficult or impossible for most uses, and creative solutions are needed. The replacement of methylene chloride in synthesis, extraction, and chromatography with green solvents will be discussed as a way of using regulatory intervention as the catalyst for innovation and positive change.</p>","PeriodicalId":74745,"journal":{"name":"RSC sustainability","volume":" 9","pages":" 3891-3902"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-07-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2025/su/d5su00443h?page=search","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144909531","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 sustainable twist on the Ritter reaction: iron-based deep eutectic solvents as a green route to amide synthesis†","authors":"Luciana Cicco, Arfa Yousaf, Paola Vitale, Filippo Maria Perna and Vito Capriati","doi":"10.1039/D5SU00489F","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/D5SU00489F","url":null,"abstract":"<p >A sustainable and scalable Ritter reaction protocol has been developed for the efficient amidation of diverse secondary and tertiary alcohols with both aliphatic and aromatic nitriles, employing a reusable FeCl<small>₃</small>·6H<small>₂</small>O/glycerol Lewis acidic deep eutectic solvent. The method features mild, aerobic conditions and broad substrate scope, and delivers yields of up to 98% without chromatographic purification. CHEM21 green metrics underscore the significantly reduced environmental footprint of this approach, establishing it as a greener and more efficient alternative to conventional amide synthesis protocols. The practical utility of the method is further demonstrated by the gram-scale synthesis of drug Chlodantane, showcasing its potential for sustainable applications in pharmaceutical manufacturing.</p>","PeriodicalId":74745,"journal":{"name":"RSC sustainability","volume":" 9","pages":" 4079-4086"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-07-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2025/su/d5su00489f?page=search","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144909557","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":"Thermoelectrically powered CO2 conversion in a reactive carbon electrolyzer†","authors":"Abhishek Soni, Siwei Ma, Giuseppe V. Crescenzo and Curtis P. Berlinguette","doi":"10.1039/D4SU00826J","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SU00826J","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Here, we use thermoelectric generators to power reactive carbon electrolyzers that upgrade captured CO<small>₂</small> into fuels and valuable chemicals. Reactive carbon electrolyzers convert the liquid eluent from a direct air capture unit—referred to as the “reactive carbon solution”. Thermoelectric generators convert temperature differences into electrical energy, enabling the use of waste heat to power the reactive carbon electrolyzers. This configuration enables operation without reliance on solar and wind power. We report the experimental demonstration of a thermoelectric generator powering a reactive carbon electrolyzer.</p>","PeriodicalId":74745,"journal":{"name":"RSC sustainability","volume":" 9","pages":" 3964-3971"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-07-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2025/su/d4su00826j?page=search","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144909537","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":"Collagen from skipjack tuna skin waste enhances cellular proliferative activity, vascularization potential and anti-inflammatory properties of nanofibrous and hydrogel scaffolds†","authors":"Tejaswini Petkar, Marie Andrea Laetitia Huët, Devesh Bekah, Itisha Chummun Phul, Nowsheen Goonoo and Archana Bhaw-Luximon","doi":"10.1039/D5SU00352K","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/D5SU00352K","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Marine collagen is gaining prominence in tissue engineering as a sustainable biomaterial and a safe alternative to mammalian collagen. Collagen was extracted from skipjack tuna skin waste using the acetic acid extraction method with a yield of 10.02 ± 2.69%. SDS PAGE indicated the presence of α-tropocollagen chains (α1 and α2) with molecular weights of 120–140 kDa, a β dimer at ∼200 kDa, and a γ component trimer at ∼250 kDa. The hydroxyproline content of the extracted collagen (14.42 ± 0.11%) was higher than reported values, indicating better structural integrity and thermostability. The extracted collagen was added to three scaffolds namely a polydioxanone/poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-<em>co</em>-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PDX/PHBV 50/50, 10 wt%) nanofibrous mat, polysucrose methacrylate hydrogel (PSucMA 5 wt%) and cellulose-lignin (Cel-lig 2 wt%) hydrogel. <em>In vitro</em> experiments were performed using RAW 264.7 macrophages to assess inflammatory activity, human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) to assess proliferative activity and Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVECs) to assess the vascularization potential of the scaffolds with collagen. The macrophages showed a reduced inflammatory M1 phenotype in the presence of collagen, while HUVECs and HDFs showed enhanced proliferation. Overall, fish skin waste collagen has the potential to enhance the performance and allows the engineering of multitasking scaffolds.</p>","PeriodicalId":74745,"journal":{"name":"RSC sustainability","volume":" 8","pages":" 3567-3581"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-07-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2025/su/d5su00352k?page=search","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144740050","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}