ACS Sustainable Resource Management最新文献

Utilization of deep eutectic solvents (DESs) to extract lignin is a highly attractive strategy for biomass upgrading. Although acidic DESs have been extensively investigated, alkaline DESs (ADESs) have rarely been applied in lignin extraction. Herein, several promising ADESs were prepared for lignin dissolution and biomass pretreatment. Lignin solubility showed a good positive correlation with the Kamlet–Taft parameters and the basicities of the prepared ADESs. Notably, the highest solubility of alkali lignin (AL), enzymatically hydrolyzed lignin (EHL), kraft lignin (KL), and dealkaline lignin (DAL) could reach 49.85, 49.46, 53.14, and 53.17 wt % in ADESs at 60 °C, respectively. Importantly, the prepared ADESs could efficiently remove lignin (80.9–97.8%) from corn stover at 120 °C, significantly improving the enzymatic efficiencies of the residues (71.5–85.4%). Besides, lignin with relatively intact structures or lignin fragments with low molecular weight and good dispersion could be successfully generated. These results confirmed the great potential of ADESs for biomass upgrading.

To counter energy scarcity and geopolitical tensions, sustainable fuels are the need of the hour. The current study has explored a noble combination of hydrogen production in a single-chambered microbial electrolysis cell and then its reactor effluent was used for algal biomass production to promote maximum resource recovery. A heat-pretreated sugarcane bagasse fed MEC resulted in 2.1 ± 0.02 m³ of hydrogen/m³/day at an applied voltage of 0.8 V, with a coulombic efficiency of 57.6 ± 0.5 % and an electrical energy efficiency of 70.16 ± 2%. A high current density of 48 A/m² due to effective biofilm and a corresponding COD removal efficiency of 69.1 ± 2% were reported, and hydrogen production rates (HPR) for the MEC were reported as 1.85 ± 0.02 m³/m²/d on the basis of cathode surface area. Further, the MEC reactor digestate was separated in solid and liquid digestate fractions, supplied to the algal growth batch reactor, and resulted in significant biomass growth. The solid feed digestate residue produced a biomass productivity of 0.95 g/L, and liquid feed digestate filtrate produced a biomass productivity of 0.65 g/L of dry algal biomass. The study proposes maximum energy extraction and reactor digestate valorization for a circular economy and a sustainable environment.

The synthesis and production of advanced photocatalytic materials for wastewater treatment and their adequate mineralization have consistently been exciting prospects to counter worldwide pollution challenges. Recently, g-C₃N₄ (graphitic carbon nitride), a metal-free, polymeric semiconducting material with a small band gap (∼2.7 eV), has arisen as a prominent material with multitudinous applications, viz., organic synthesis, energy production and storage, environmental pollution mitigation, etc. By incorporating functional groups from biomass-derived precursors, researchers aim to tailor the surface properties of g-C₃N₄ to better suit specific pollutant types and improve its overall performance as a remediation material. Biomass is a renewable source of carbonaceous material with a wide availability of sources, low cost, and biodegradability. This review article gives a bird’s eye view of the role of biochar-based metal (un)doped g-C₃N₄ nanocomposites in photocatalysis and mineralization of hazardous pollutants such as pharmaceuticals, dyes, chromium, polyaromatics, pesticides, etc., from 2015 to now. Also, this review article paves the way for researchers to avail new ideas for further application of biochar-derived g-C₃N₄.

Rare-earth elements (REEs) are critical to the production of modern integrated electronic devices that are ubiquitous in our lives. They are also of strategic importance to our economy and security. Unfortunately, although electronic waste contains such elements, its overall low concentration makes its recovery economically impractical, posing a significant challenge to recycling efforts. Hence, this paper proposes changes to the extraction process that focus on the potential for economically viable recovery. In addition, it also reduces the environmental impact of downstream hydrometallurgical processes. More precisely, this study presents novel extraction molecules that exhibit exceptional solubility and extraction efficiencies in supercritical carbon dioxide. This development therefore provides an alternative process to traditional hydrometallurgical processes that is more environmentally friendly and addresses the urgent need for sustainable methods of REE recovery and separation.

The development of biofuel from cellulose-rich corncobs holds great potential for reducing carbon dioxide emissions and producing energy that is sustainable. This study investigated the recycling potential of corncob residues from xylose production to renewable energy cellulosic ethanol. Enzymatic digestion studies were conducted at three different scales (100 g, 4 kg, and 2 t), with 25% dry solids yielding consistent glucose release (>130 g/L), indicating industrial potential. The glucose was then subjected to yeast fermentation, which produced a maximum ethanol concentration of 58.68 g/L after 48 h. Studies on high-solids enzymatic hydrolysis systems, ranging from small-scale shake flasks to large-scale fermentors, demonstrated significant ethanol production potential, supported by Aspen Plus simulations closely aligned with experimental results in both the 4 kg and 2 t systems. These findings validated the reliability of scaling up ethanol production from corncob waste. This comprehensive approach highlights a promising method for producing sustainable energy from agricultural residues, with a focus on improving the process of ethanol manufacturing.

In this study, attempts were made for the first time to explore the unexploited wheat straw particulates (WSP) as a reinforcement filler with concentrations up to 100% in a thermoplastic polypropylene (PP) matrix to produce a new type of wood plastic composites. The WSP-PP composites were developed by melt blending using the injection molding technique and were investigated for their mechanical, structural, and thermal properties. The present study showed low-density composites with densities varying from 0.84–1.04 gm/cc. Compared to virgin polypropylene, WSP-PP composites showed enhanced impact strength, improved flexural strength and moduli, and lower water absorption. With increasing WSP concentration, the mechanical strength increases, and at 20–30% filler concentration, the composite showed a maximum tensile strength of 27.21 ± 0.67 MPa and flexural strength of 44.48 ± 0.48 MPa. The maximum impact strength of WSP-PP composites (2.04 ± 0.11 kJ/m²) was recorded at 40% filler concentration along with lower water absorption (1.67%). The addition of WSP was found to decrease the thermal conductivity of the WSP-PP composites. The findings of this study confirmed the scope of wheat straw as a potential cellulosic reinforcing filler for manufacturing a new class of green composites of high-performance characteristics which could be explored and beneficial for electrical applications, civil infrastructure, automotive parts, etc. Further, the utilization of this inexpensive raw material for the development of composites leads to a reduction in the practice of open straw burning in fields, thereby causing a decrease in CGH emissions. Thus, the realization of this innovative work will contribute to achieving the United Nations’ sustainable development goals with a sustainable approach toward building a circular economy.

Synopsis: This study explores using wheat straw particulates in a polypropylene matrix for composites for lighter and stronger materials, aligning with sustainability goals in engineering.

The steadily growing lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) market brings the critical question of the future treatment of tremendous waste from end-of-life (EoL) LIBs. Therefore, recycling of EoL LIBs has become an urgent need to overcome the foreseen environmental and economic challenges. Herein, we propose a direct recycling process to regenerate NCA cathode active material (CAM) from spent LIBs. A gentle heat pretreatment at a low temperature is applied to facilitate the recovery of the CAMs. The cathode strips from EoL LIBs were subjected to two temperatures (150 or 250 °C) during a short time (2 h) to deactivate the strong bonding between the polyvinylidene difluoride binder and the Al current collector surface. Thus, the CAM is easily and fully reclaimed from the Al foil. Moreover, the developed procedure preserves the integrity of the NCA structure without any morphological changes. The full restoration of NCA-based CAM powder is successfully achieved through Li-replenishing using Li₂CO₃ under O₂ atmosphere at different sintering temperatures (750 or 900 °C). The healed NCA CAMs demonstrate decent electrochemical performance including good cyclability and rate performance in NCA//Li half-cell and NCA//LTO full-cell configurations.

There is an urgent need to change the way we produce, distribute, and consume foods due to several adverse effects the modern food supply is having on the environment, including greenhouse gas emissions, pollution, freshwater use, land use, and biodiversity loss. Concerted efforts are therefore required by food scientists around the world to generate the scientific knowledge and technological advances needed to develop a more sustainable global food supply chain. The purpose of this article is to highlight some of the most critical areas where research is needed to improve the sustainability and reduce the adverse environmental impact of food production. These areas include enhanced agricultural crops and livestock animals, improved fertilizers, pesticides, and antibiotics, reduced food and agricultural waste, conversion of waste streams into energy and valuable materials, alternative protein sources, and advanced food packaging materials, as well as many others. A range of advanced technologies is leading to important advances in many areas of food science and technology, including gene editing, nanotechnology, precision fermentation, biotechnology, and food architecture. An important objective of this article is to stimulate research and development in this important area so as to create a more sustainable and environmentally friendly global food supply system.