Pub Date : 2026-01-08DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2025.115321
Helton Rogger Regatieri, Hugo Ferreira dos Santos, Ruan Vinícius Rocha Damaceno, Henrique Cesar Linhares Almeida, José Ricardo Cezar Salgado
The neutralization of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) prior to recycling is a crucial safety step to avoid short circuits, thermal runaway, or toxic emissions. Conventional protocols commonly rely on chloride-based aqueous solutions, such as NaCl or KCl, which accelerate discharge due to their high ionic conductivity. However, these electrolytes present risks associated with corrosion and environmental contamination. In this study, coconut water as a natural and biodegradable alternative for discharging LIBs has been investigated. Aqueous solutions of NaCl and KCl (1.0–3.0 mol L−1), as well as commercial coconut water, both within and beyond expiration dates, were evaluated under controlled laboratory conditions. Coconut water demonstrated slower yet stable discharge behavior, achieving complete battery neutralization within 28 h, with no evidence of casing corrosion. Its ionic content, primarily K+, was sufficient to support low-risk, long-duration discharge processes. Additionally, expired coconut water performed similarly to non-expired samples, indicating suitability for repurposing food-grade waste. This work highlights coconut water as a cost-effective and sustainable alternative to synthetic electrolytes in decentralized recycling workflows, aligning with circular economy principles and reducing the environmental burden of battery end-of-life management.
{"title":"Sustainable discharge of lithium-ion batteries using coconut water: a natural alternative to chloride-based electrolytes","authors":"Helton Rogger Regatieri, Hugo Ferreira dos Santos, Ruan Vinícius Rocha Damaceno, Henrique Cesar Linhares Almeida, José Ricardo Cezar Salgado","doi":"10.1016/j.wasman.2025.115321","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.wasman.2025.115321","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The neutralization of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) prior to recycling is a crucial safety step to avoid short circuits, thermal runaway, or toxic emissions. Conventional protocols commonly rely on chloride-based aqueous solutions, such as NaCl or KCl, which accelerate discharge due to their high ionic conductivity. However, these electrolytes present risks associated with corrosion and environmental contamination. In this study, coconut water as a natural and biodegradable alternative for discharging LIBs has been investigated. Aqueous solutions of NaCl and KCl (1.0–3.0 mol L<sup>−1</sup>), as well as commercial coconut water, both within and beyond expiration dates, were evaluated under controlled laboratory conditions. Coconut water demonstrated slower yet stable discharge behavior, achieving complete battery neutralization within 28 h, with no evidence of casing corrosion. Its ionic content, primarily K<sup>+</sup>, was sufficient to support low-risk, long-duration discharge processes. Additionally, expired coconut water performed similarly to non-expired samples, indicating suitability for repurposing food-grade waste. This work highlights coconut water as a cost-effective and sustainable alternative to synthetic electrolytes in decentralized recycling workflows, aligning with circular economy principles and reducing the environmental burden of battery end-of-life management.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23969,"journal":{"name":"Waste management","volume":"212 ","pages":"Article 115321"},"PeriodicalIF":7.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145928000","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-07DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2026.115346
Mario Ávila , Sofie Verbrugge , Inge Bellemans , Kim Verbeken
This study evaluates the potential of partially replacing coking coal—a critical raw material—with solid recovered fuel (SRF) pellets made from non-recyclable waste plastics. Total CO2 emissions and gross profit (GP) from metallurgical coke production in 2019, 2022, and 2023 were assessed across nine plant configurations under two scenarios: the Benchmark Scenario (BS) using only coking coal, and the AlterCoal Scenario (AS) replacing 2 wt% of the coking coal by SRF pellets. Results show indirect and total emissions in the AS decreased by 5.7 % and 6.4 %, respectively. Higher pellet density increased GP, though with a minor rise in emissions. Additionally, a linear correlation was found between GP and oven pushes: plants with fewer daily pushes—due to larger ovens—achieved greater profitability and GP per ton of direct CO2 emitted. These results provide guidelines for steel plants considering this process, thereby contributing to the broader goal of emission reduction.
{"title":"Carbon footprint of coke-making in Europe and the cost-effectiveness of plant design: Optimization by using alternative reductants","authors":"Mario Ávila , Sofie Verbrugge , Inge Bellemans , Kim Verbeken","doi":"10.1016/j.wasman.2026.115346","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.wasman.2026.115346","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study evaluates the potential of partially replacing coking coal—a critical raw material—with solid recovered fuel (SRF) pellets made from non-recyclable waste plastics. Total CO<sub>2</sub> emissions and gross profit (GP) from metallurgical coke production in 2019, 2022, and 2023 were assessed across nine plant configurations under two scenarios: the Benchmark Scenario (BS) using only coking coal, and the AlterCoal Scenario (AS) replacing 2 wt% of the coking coal by SRF pellets. Results show indirect and total emissions in the AS decreased by 5.7 % and 6.4 %, respectively. Higher pellet density increased GP, though with a minor rise in emissions. Additionally, a linear correlation was found between GP and oven pushes: plants with fewer daily pushes—due to larger ovens—achieved greater profitability and GP per ton of direct CO<sub>2</sub> emitted. These results provide guidelines for steel plants considering this process, thereby contributing to the broader goal of emission reduction.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23969,"journal":{"name":"Waste management","volume":"212 ","pages":"Article 115346"},"PeriodicalIF":7.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145928084","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
To address the long-standing challenges in recycling spent LiFePO4 batteries, this study proposes an integrated process. Alkaline pressure leaching enables selective Li extraction, while simultaneously removing Al to achieve deep Fe-Al separation; P and Fe are enriched in the residues. Subsequent H2SO4 leaching attains 99.2 % P and 94.8 % Fe extraction efficiency, with Ca transformed into construction-grade CaSO4·2H2O. TBP and Lix984 facilitate > 99 % removal of F and Cu via multi-stage extraction, resulting in raffinate with F/Cu concentrations < 2 mg/L. Finally, H2O2 at 3times the theoretical dosage oxidizes Fe2+, and crystallization yields battery-grade FePO4. The full-process recovery efficiencies of Li, Fe, and P were 97.88 %, 92.91 %, and 95.49 %. This process enables full-element recovery and exhibits good suitability for industrial-scale application.
{"title":"Spent LiFePO4 batteries valorization: integrated process for battery-grade FePO4 production","authors":"Jiawei Du, Jialin Qing, Guiqing Zhang, Zuoying Cao, Qinggang Li, Mingyu Wang, Wenjuan Guan, Shengxi Wu, Xinsheng Wu","doi":"10.1016/j.wasman.2026.115335","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.wasman.2026.115335","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>To address the long-standing challenges in recycling spent LiFePO<sub>4</sub> batteries, this study proposes an integrated process. Alkaline pressure leaching enables selective Li extraction, while simultaneously removing Al to achieve deep Fe-Al separation; P and Fe are enriched in the residues. Subsequent H<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub> leaching attains 99.2 % P and 94.8 % Fe extraction efficiency, with Ca transformed into construction-grade CaSO<sub>4</sub>·2H<sub>2</sub>O. TBP and Lix984 facilitate > 99 % removal of F and Cu via multi-stage extraction, resulting in raffinate with F/Cu concentrations < 2 mg/L. Finally, H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> at 3times the theoretical dosage oxidizes Fe<sup>2+</sup>, and crystallization yields battery-grade FePO<sub>4</sub>. The full-process recovery efficiencies of Li, Fe, and P were 97.88 %, 92.91 %, and 95.49 %. This process enables full-element recovery and exhibits good suitability for industrial-scale application.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23969,"journal":{"name":"Waste management","volume":"212 ","pages":"Article 115335"},"PeriodicalIF":7.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145928002","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-07DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2026.115331
Can Zhao , Yudong Nie , Junjie Ai , Ju Ran , Qian Shen
The involvement of specific amino acids will inevitably alter the pathways for the transformation of kitchen waste (KW) components during the hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) process. In this study, the evolution of hydrochar structure and nitrogen transformation mechanisms was systematically elucidated for the first time at the amino acid level during the HTC of KW. The results showed that glutamic acid promoted the formation of non-condensable gases, resulting in hydrochar with the loosest pore structure. The hydrolysis products of histidine (particularly the imidazole ring) polymerized with aromatic heterocycles to form stable secondary char, achieving maximum yield (55.40 %) and nitrogen retention rate (65.43 %). Phenylalanine hydrolysates (phenethylamine, styrene) facilitated the dissolution of weakly polar organics from KW and further generated amorphous solids through hydrophobic interactions with long-chain amides and indoles. This led to the hydrochar with the lowest yield (8.77 %) and surface area (0.00 m2 g−1). Furthermore, hydrochar washed with dichloromethane exhibited an improved pore structure but showed reduced practical utilization potential due to its diminished yield (0.28 %), compromised nitrogen retention rate (0.14 %) and decreased defect concentration (indicated by an ID/IG ratio as low as 1.83). This research provided novel insights into the tailored synthesis of nitrogen-doped carbon materials from complex biowaste.
{"title":"Role of typical amino acids on structural evolution of hydrochar and nitrogen transformation mechanisms during hydrothermal carbonization of kitchen waste","authors":"Can Zhao , Yudong Nie , Junjie Ai , Ju Ran , Qian Shen","doi":"10.1016/j.wasman.2026.115331","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.wasman.2026.115331","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The involvement of specific amino acids will inevitably alter the pathways for the transformation of kitchen waste (KW) components during the hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) process. In this study, the evolution of hydrochar structure and nitrogen transformation mechanisms was systematically elucidated for the first time at the amino acid level during the HTC of KW. The results showed that glutamic acid promoted the formation of non-condensable gases, resulting in hydrochar with the loosest pore structure. The hydrolysis products of histidine (particularly the imidazole ring) polymerized with aromatic heterocycles to form stable secondary char, achieving maximum yield (55.40 %) and nitrogen retention rate (65.43 %). Phenylalanine hydrolysates (phenethylamine, styrene) facilitated the dissolution of weakly polar organics from KW and further generated amorphous solids through hydrophobic interactions with long-chain amides and indoles. This led to the hydrochar with the lowest yield (8.77 %) and surface area (0.00 m<sup>2</sup> g<sup>−1</sup>). Furthermore, hydrochar washed with dichloromethane exhibited an improved pore structure but showed reduced practical utilization potential due to its diminished yield (0.28 %), compromised nitrogen retention rate (0.14 %) and decreased defect concentration (indicated by an I<sub>D</sub>/I<sub>G</sub> ratio as low as 1.83). This research provided novel insights into the tailored synthesis of nitrogen-doped carbon materials from complex biowaste.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23969,"journal":{"name":"Waste management","volume":"212 ","pages":"Article 115331"},"PeriodicalIF":7.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145928080","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-07DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2026.115345
Salvador Reynoso-Cruces , Carlos Edo , Roberto Rosal , Luis Ladino , Harry Alvarez-Ospina
Air-sea exchange represents a key yet insufficiently quantified pathway for microplastic (MP) transport, particularly in island environments where oceanic exposure and atmospheric forcing interact. In this work, we aimed to quantify the distribution and polymer composition of MP in both the atmosphere and seawater around a Caribbean island while simultaneously evaluating their transport pathways through Lagrangian drift modeling. MP distribution, polymer composition, and transport dynamics were examined through coordinated atmospheric and surface-water sampling, micro-FTIR analysis, chemometric discrimination, and Lagrangian drift modeling (OpenDrift). Polyethylene (PE) dominated airborne MP (34 %), while polyester (PES) prevailed in seawater (54 %), indicating selective partitioning driven by density, morphology, and surface chemistry. Morning airborne concentrations were 37 % higher than afternoon values, consistent with sea-breeze circulation patterns. Seawater MP concentrations increased from 5 MP L−1 to 35 MP L−1 toward the continental shelf, a spatial gradient reproduced by drift simulations showing > 40 % nearshore retention within 24 h and rapid northward export via the Yucatán Current. By integrating polymer-specific characterization with physical transport modeling, the present study provides mechanistic insight into how intrinsic material properties and local hydrodynamics jointly determine MP fate in tropical island systems, offering a framework for targeted monitoring and mitigation in coastal environments.
{"title":"Air-sea exchange and coastal transport dynamics of microplastics around a Caribbean Island","authors":"Salvador Reynoso-Cruces , Carlos Edo , Roberto Rosal , Luis Ladino , Harry Alvarez-Ospina","doi":"10.1016/j.wasman.2026.115345","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.wasman.2026.115345","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Air-sea exchange represents a key yet insufficiently quantified pathway for microplastic (MP) transport, particularly in island environments where oceanic exposure and atmospheric forcing interact. In this work, we aimed to quantify the distribution and polymer composition of MP in both the atmosphere and seawater around a Caribbean island while simultaneously evaluating their transport pathways through Lagrangian drift modeling. MP distribution, polymer composition, and transport dynamics were examined through coordinated atmospheric and surface-water sampling, micro-FTIR analysis, chemometric discrimination, and Lagrangian drift modeling (OpenDrift). Polyethylene (PE) dominated airborne MP (34 %), while polyester (PES) prevailed in seawater (54 %), indicating selective partitioning driven by density, morphology, and surface chemistry. Morning airborne concentrations were 37 % higher than afternoon values, consistent with sea-breeze circulation patterns. Seawater MP concentrations increased from 5 MP L<sup>−1</sup> to 35 MP L<sup>−1</sup> toward the continental shelf, a spatial gradient reproduced by drift simulations showing > 40 % nearshore retention within 24 h and rapid northward export via the Yucatán Current. By integrating polymer-specific characterization with physical transport modeling, the present study provides mechanistic insight into how intrinsic material properties and local hydrodynamics jointly determine MP fate in tropical island systems, offering a framework for targeted monitoring and mitigation in coastal environments.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23969,"journal":{"name":"Waste management","volume":"212 ","pages":"Article 115345"},"PeriodicalIF":7.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145928083","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
This study used quantitative biogas measurements from four full-scale biogas plants to determine which trace components can be expected in biogas from biogenic agricultural or municipal residues. The objective was to identify trace compounds that could damage the catalyst when biogas is used as a feedstock for a catalytic conversion. Knowing the exact composition of the biogas, including for example all sulfur-containing molecules, is therefore essential for the process’s operational expenditures (OPEX). The results of this investigation add to a database of fully measured biogases and can be used to select suitable biogas purification steps. Trace compounds found in all measured biogas samples were ethanol, acetone, toluene, alpha-pinene and 3–methylfuran. However, biogases from different substrates contain distinctive trace components. The biogas from organic waste shows the highest amount of S-containing molecules (up to 14.7 ppm in total), while the biogas from wastewater sludge shows higher amounts of siloxanes (50 mg m–3STP) and the biogases from agricultural waste contain oxygenates like acetone and 2-butanone. Measurements taken at various points along the process chain indicate that activated carbon is sufficient for removing most of the trace components from biogas. However, it was observed in one plant that the activated carbon must be replaced before it reaches its adsorption limit to avoid the desorption of volatile organic compounds. Biogas or the biogenic CO2 are well-suited to be used in downstream processes, but analytical monitoring of the biogas composition and a suitable connection between plant and downstream process are required.
{"title":"Extensive study on biogas trace compounds from agricultural and municipal biomass residues for downstream catalytic conversion","authors":"Selina Nieß , Mathias Stur , Ute Mikow , Marcel Pohl , Marco Klemm","doi":"10.1016/j.wasman.2025.115330","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.wasman.2025.115330","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study used quantitative biogas measurements from four full-scale biogas plants to determine which trace components can be expected in biogas from biogenic agricultural or municipal residues. The objective was to identify trace compounds that could damage the catalyst when biogas is used as a feedstock for a catalytic conversion. Knowing the exact composition of the biogas, including for example all sulfur-containing molecules, is therefore essential for the process’s operational expenditures (OPEX). The results of this investigation add to a database of fully measured biogases and can be used to select suitable biogas purification steps. Trace compounds found in all measured biogas samples were ethanol, acetone, toluene, alpha-pinene and 3–methylfuran. However, biogases from different substrates contain distinctive trace components. The biogas from organic waste shows the highest amount of S-containing molecules (up to 14.7<!--> <!-->ppm in total), while the biogas from wastewater sludge shows higher amounts of siloxanes (50 mg m<sup>–3</sup>STP) and the biogases from agricultural waste contain oxygenates like acetone and 2-butanone. Measurements taken at various points along the process chain indicate that activated carbon is sufficient for removing most of the trace components from biogas. However, it was observed in one plant that the activated carbon must be replaced before it reaches its adsorption limit to avoid the desorption of volatile organic compounds. Biogas or the biogenic CO<sub>2</sub> are well-suited to be used in downstream processes, but analytical monitoring of the biogas composition and a suitable connection between plant and downstream process are required.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23969,"journal":{"name":"Waste management","volume":"212 ","pages":"Article 115330"},"PeriodicalIF":7.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145918599","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-06DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2026.115339
Amir Hossein Mohammad Zadeh , Spencer Cunnigham , Devon Gray , Sevan Bedrossian , Baian Almusned , Jeffrey Daniel Henderson , Gisele Azimi
The rapid expansion of lithium-ion battery usage has intensified the need for efficient and economically viable recycling processes capable of selectively recovering lithium from spent cathode materials. Here, we develop and mechanistically evaluate a simplified, reductant-free pyrolysis–leaching route for lithium pre-extraction from NMC-type black mass. Carbothermal reduction (pyrolysis) was conducted at 550–630 °C for 60 min under nitrogen using only the inherent carbon content of the black mass as the reducing agent. Comprehensive characterization, including XRD, Raman spectroscopy, SEM-EDX, ToF-SIMS, and TC/TOC, revealed that carbothermal reduction induces a sequence of phase transformations: (i) decomposition of PVDF and organics to form reactive pyrolytic carbon; (ii) collapse of the NMC layered structure; (iii) carbothermal reduction of Ni and Co oxides; and (iv) formation of water-leachable Li2CO3/Li2O. These modifications increase lithium accessibility while stabilizing transition metals as Ni⁰, Co⁰/CoO, and MnO, enabling selective lithium dissolution at near-neutral pH. Leaching experiments showed that untreated black mass achieves only 21 % Li recovery at pH around 7, whereas pyrolyzed material yields ∼ 63 % Li recovery at the same pH, with < 1–6 % dissolution of Ni, Co, and Mn. This high selectivity eliminates the need for strong acids, reduces impurity load, and preserves transition-metal phases for downstream hydrometallurgical or regeneration processes. A technoeconomic comparison with two representative literature routes demonstrates that the proposed process offers the lowest energy consumption, reagent use, and purification burden, owing to its low-temperature operation, reductant-free design, and minimal chemical inputs.
{"title":"Selective lithium Pre-Leaching from spent NMC black mass via pyrolysis (Carbothermal thermal Treatment) and controlled leaching","authors":"Amir Hossein Mohammad Zadeh , Spencer Cunnigham , Devon Gray , Sevan Bedrossian , Baian Almusned , Jeffrey Daniel Henderson , Gisele Azimi","doi":"10.1016/j.wasman.2026.115339","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.wasman.2026.115339","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The rapid expansion of lithium-ion battery usage has intensified the need for efficient and economically viable recycling processes capable of selectively recovering lithium from spent cathode materials. Here, we develop and mechanistically evaluate a simplified, reductant-free pyrolysis–leaching route for lithium pre-extraction from NMC-type black mass. Carbothermal reduction (pyrolysis) was conducted at 550–630 °C for 60 min under nitrogen using only the inherent carbon content of the black mass as the reducing agent. Comprehensive characterization, including XRD, Raman spectroscopy, SEM-EDX, ToF-SIMS, and TC/TOC, revealed that carbothermal reduction induces a sequence of phase transformations: (i) decomposition of PVDF and organics to form reactive pyrolytic carbon; (ii) collapse of the NMC layered structure; (iii) carbothermal reduction of Ni and Co oxides; and (iv) formation of water-leachable Li<sub>2</sub>CO<sub>3</sub>/Li<sub>2</sub>O. These modifications increase lithium accessibility while stabilizing transition metals as Ni⁰, Co⁰/CoO, and MnO, enabling selective lithium dissolution at near-neutral pH. Leaching experiments showed that untreated black mass achieves only 21 % Li recovery at pH around 7, whereas pyrolyzed material yields ∼ 63 % Li recovery at the same pH, with < 1–6 % dissolution of Ni, Co, and Mn. This high selectivity eliminates the need for strong acids, reduces impurity load, and preserves transition-metal phases for downstream hydrometallurgical or regeneration processes. A technoeconomic comparison with two representative literature routes demonstrates that the proposed process offers the lowest energy consumption, reagent use, and purification burden, owing to its low-temperature operation, reductant-free design, and minimal chemical inputs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23969,"journal":{"name":"Waste management","volume":"212 ","pages":"Article 115339"},"PeriodicalIF":7.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145918596","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-06DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2026.115341
Kun Wang , Changlin Cao , Xiaochuan Chen , Qingrong Qian , Weiming Zhou , Songwei Yang , Qinghua Chen
Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) is a high-performance engineering thermoplastic characterized by outstanding mechanical strength, chemical stability, resistance to crack propagation, exceptional wear resistance, and extremely high melt viscosity. These attributes, while advantageous for performance, render UHMWPE highly challenging to recycle using conventional approaches. Consequently, there is an urgent demand for innovative recycling strategies that preserve, or potentially enhance, its intrinsic properties. This study introduces a mechanical recycling approach that integrates high- and low-temperature shear fields through the use of double-roll open mills and solid-state shear milling equipment. High-temperature shear stresses induce melt fracture in UHMWPE, generating structural defects, while the three-dimensional shear forces in solid-state shear milling accelerate defect initiation and propagation. This coupled shear-field process mitigates the limitations imposed by UHMWPE’s high melt viscosity and highly entangled chain architecture, thus overcoming conventional recycling barriers. Application of this method to waste UHMWPE sheets enabled effective closed-loop recycling. The recycled samples retained up to 93% of the tensile strength of the original sheets. Furthermore, the processed material exhibited irregular morphologies with micrometer-scale particle sizes and reduced thickness. Notably, molded samples derived from this process demonstrated enhanced tensile fracture strain compared with the original sheet waste. Overall, the coupled high–low temperature shear-field strategy presents a facile and promising pathway for the closed-loop recycling of UHMWPE and potentially other difficult-to-process engineering thermoplastics.
{"title":"Closed-loop recycling of waste ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene via inducing melt fracture coupled with solid-state shear milling","authors":"Kun Wang , Changlin Cao , Xiaochuan Chen , Qingrong Qian , Weiming Zhou , Songwei Yang , Qinghua Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.wasman.2026.115341","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.wasman.2026.115341","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) is a high-performance engineering thermoplastic characterized by outstanding mechanical strength, chemical stability, resistance to crack propagation, exceptional wear resistance, and extremely high melt viscosity. These attributes, while advantageous for performance, render UHMWPE highly challenging to recycle using conventional approaches. Consequently, there is an urgent demand for innovative recycling strategies that preserve, or potentially enhance, its intrinsic properties. This study introduces a mechanical recycling approach that integrates high- and low-temperature shear fields through the use of double-roll open mills and solid-state shear milling equipment. High-temperature shear stresses induce melt fracture in UHMWPE, generating structural defects, while the three-dimensional shear forces in solid-state shear milling accelerate defect initiation and propagation. This coupled shear-field process mitigates the limitations imposed by UHMWPE’s high melt viscosity and highly entangled chain architecture, thus overcoming conventional recycling barriers. Application of this method to waste UHMWPE sheets enabled effective closed-loop recycling. The recycled samples retained up to 93% of the tensile strength of the original sheets. Furthermore, the processed material exhibited irregular morphologies with micrometer-scale particle sizes and reduced thickness. Notably, molded samples derived from this process demonstrated enhanced tensile fracture strain compared with the original sheet waste. Overall, the coupled high–low temperature shear-field strategy presents a facile and promising pathway for the closed-loop recycling of UHMWPE and potentially other difficult-to-process engineering thermoplastics.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23969,"journal":{"name":"Waste management","volume":"212 ","pages":"Article 115341"},"PeriodicalIF":7.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145918537","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-06DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2026.115334
Runchang Su , Yadi Wang , Shujie Tang , Zhipeng Wang , Mei Zhang , Min Guo
The rapid development of the electronics industry caused an exponential increase in waste liquid crystal displays (LCDs). Waste LCDs release indium tin oxide (ITO, In2O3·SnO2), which is cytotoxic and poses a significant burden on the environment. Deep eutectic solvents, characterized by their high saturated vapor pressure and tunable composition, were regarded as sustainable green solvents and could serve as efficient and environmentally friendly leaching agents for ITO. This study systematically investigated the leaching mechanism of indium tin oxide in a specific DES (oxalic acid dihydrate: choline chloride = 1:2.6). Characterization results revealed a multi-step pathway with multiple rate-controlling stages. The proposed double exponential model demonstrated exceptional performance (R2 > 0.995) and stability across all conditions, effectively describing this multi-controlled process. Using this model, the effects of temperature, stirring rate, and indium tin oxide particle size were quantified. Dynamic analysis confirmed the dual control mechanism. Significantly, reducing particle size drastically lowered apparent activation energy (265 μm: 53.24 kJ·mol−1 → 45 μm: 18.02 kJ·mol−1), highlighting its key role in efficiency, while stirring rate had minimal impact. The model’s broad applicability was validated across diverse deep eutectic solvent leaching systems (R2 > 0.98). This work pioneers the application of the double exponential kinetic model to deep eutectic solvent leaching, establishing it as a powerful tool for understanding mechanisms and optimizing processes.
{"title":"Unraveling synergistic control in green Leaching: A double exponential kinetic model for efficient and sustainable indium recovery from E-waste using deep eutectic solvents","authors":"Runchang Su , Yadi Wang , Shujie Tang , Zhipeng Wang , Mei Zhang , Min Guo","doi":"10.1016/j.wasman.2026.115334","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.wasman.2026.115334","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The rapid development of the electronics industry caused an exponential increase in waste liquid crystal displays (LCDs). Waste LCDs release indium tin oxide (ITO, In<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>·SnO<sub>2</sub>), which is cytotoxic and poses a significant burden on the environment. Deep eutectic solvents, characterized by their high saturated vapor pressure and tunable composition, were regarded as sustainable green solvents and could serve as efficient and environmentally friendly leaching agents for ITO. This study systematically investigated the leaching mechanism of indium tin oxide in a specific DES (oxalic acid dihydrate: choline chloride = 1:2.6). Characterization results revealed a multi-step pathway with multiple rate-controlling stages. The proposed double exponential model demonstrated exceptional performance (<em>R</em><sup>2</sup> > 0.995) and stability across all conditions, effectively describing this multi-controlled process. Using this model, the effects of temperature, stirring rate, and indium tin oxide particle size were quantified. Dynamic analysis confirmed the dual control mechanism. Significantly, reducing particle size drastically lowered apparent activation energy (265 μm: 53.24 kJ·mol<sup>−1</sup> → 45 μm: 18.02 kJ·mol<sup>−1</sup>), highlighting its key role in efficiency, while stirring rate had minimal impact. The model’s broad applicability was validated across diverse deep eutectic solvent leaching systems (<em>R</em><sup>2</sup> > 0.98). This work pioneers the application of the double exponential kinetic model to deep eutectic solvent leaching, establishing it as a powerful tool for understanding mechanisms and optimizing processes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23969,"journal":{"name":"Waste management","volume":"212 ","pages":"Article 115334"},"PeriodicalIF":7.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145918621","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-06DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2026.115342
Jingchao Wei , Bangda Wang , Tongxiao Zhou , Fei Gong , Han Zhang , Quanwei Lv , Ziheng Jin , Shouliang Yi , Xia Jiang
The present study developed a dual-catalyst system combining typical industrial solid waste (i.e. red mud, coal fly ash, blast furnace slag, red gypsum and anode slag) and zeolite in synergistically promoting the catalytic fast pyrolysis (CFP) of waste bamboo biomass for aromatics production. The results demonstrated that industrial solid wastes significantly enhanced deoxygenation and decreased the oxygenated compound content by 2.60 % to 26.26 % compared to non-catalytic pyrolysis. Notably, red gypsum exhibited the most pronounced effect, increasing the content of aromatic precursors, such as hydrocarbons, by 21.82 %. In the dual-catalyst system, the red gypsum/HBeta (H-form Beta zeolite) combination (1:1 ratio) attained a total aromatics relative content of 43.58 % at 550°C, representing a 30.79 % improvement over single HBeta. Moreover, the contents of monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (MAHs) and benzene-toluene-xylenes (BTX) increased by 37.27 % and 49.29 %, respectively. The improved aromatics content was primarily attributed to the abundant reactive oxides and hierarchical pore structure within the dual-catalyst CFP (DC-CFP). In the DC-CFP, the mesopores of the industrial solid waste promote the diffusion of macromolecules produced by pyrolysis, while lattice oxygen transfer from Fe2O3 (28.29 %) in red gypsum facilitates the cleavage of the C–O, C=O and C–C bond to yield small-molecule precursors. These intermediates then undergo aromatization driven by the acidic sites of the microporous HBeta zeolite, synergistically enhancing aromatics content and offering a novel approach for utilizing industrial solid waste resources and biomass energy.
{"title":"Dual catalytic system using industrial solid waste and zeolite for enhanced aromatic hydrocarbon conversion from waste bamboo biomass","authors":"Jingchao Wei , Bangda Wang , Tongxiao Zhou , Fei Gong , Han Zhang , Quanwei Lv , Ziheng Jin , Shouliang Yi , Xia Jiang","doi":"10.1016/j.wasman.2026.115342","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.wasman.2026.115342","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The present study developed a dual-catalyst system combining typical industrial solid waste (i.e. red mud, coal fly ash, blast furnace slag, red gypsum and anode slag) and zeolite in synergistically promoting the catalytic fast pyrolysis (CFP) of waste bamboo biomass for aromatics production. The results demonstrated that industrial solid wastes significantly enhanced deoxygenation and decreased the oxygenated compound content by 2.60 % to 26.26 % compared to non-catalytic pyrolysis. Notably, red gypsum exhibited the most pronounced effect, increasing the content of aromatic precursors, such as hydrocarbons, by 21.82 %. In the dual-catalyst system, the red gypsum/HBeta (H-form Beta zeolite) combination (1:1 ratio) attained a total aromatics relative content of 43.58 % at 550°C, representing a 30.79 % improvement over single HBeta. Moreover, the contents of monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (MAHs) and benzene-toluene-xylenes (BTX) increased by 37.27 % and 49.29 %, respectively. The improved aromatics content was primarily attributed to the abundant reactive oxides and hierarchical pore structure within the dual-catalyst CFP (DC-CFP). In the DC-CFP, the mesopores of the industrial solid waste promote the diffusion of macromolecules produced by pyrolysis, while lattice oxygen transfer from Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> (28.29 %) in red gypsum facilitates the cleavage of the C–O, C=O and C–C bond to yield small-molecule precursors. These intermediates then undergo aromatization driven by the acidic sites of the microporous HBeta zeolite, synergistically enhancing aromatics content and offering a novel approach for utilizing industrial solid waste resources and biomass energy.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23969,"journal":{"name":"Waste management","volume":"212 ","pages":"Article 115342"},"PeriodicalIF":7.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145918523","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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