Pub Date : 2025-09-01Epub Date: 2025-08-06DOI: 10.1016/j.coche.2025.101167
Laura Clarizia , Abdulaziz Al-Anazi , Changseok Han
This review investigates hydrogen production via photocatalysis using ammonia, a carbon-free source potentially present in wastewater. Photocatalysis offers low energy requirements and high conversion efficiency compared to electrocatalysis, thermocatalysis, and plasma catalysis. However, challenges such as complex material synthesis, low stability, spectral inefficiency, high costs, and integration barriers hinder industrial scalability. The review addresses thermodynamic requirements, reaction mechanisms, and the role of pH in optimizing photocatalysis. By leveraging ammonia’s potential and advancing photocatalyst development, this study provides a framework for scalable, sustainable hydrogen production and simultaneous ammonia decomposition, paving the way for innovative energy solutions and wastewater management.
{"title":"Photocatalytic generation of hydrogen from a non-carbon source, ammonia in aqueous solutions","authors":"Laura Clarizia , Abdulaziz Al-Anazi , Changseok Han","doi":"10.1016/j.coche.2025.101167","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.coche.2025.101167","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This review investigates hydrogen production via photocatalysis using ammonia, a carbon-free source potentially present in wastewater. Photocatalysis offers low energy requirements and high conversion efficiency compared to electrocatalysis, thermocatalysis, and plasma catalysis. However, challenges such as complex material synthesis, low stability, spectral inefficiency, high costs, and integration barriers hinder industrial scalability. The review addresses thermodynamic requirements, reaction mechanisms, and the role of pH in optimizing photocatalysis. By leveraging ammonia’s potential and advancing photocatalyst development, this study provides a framework for scalable, sustainable hydrogen production and simultaneous ammonia decomposition, paving the way for innovative energy solutions and wastewater management.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":292,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Chemical Engineering","volume":"49 ","pages":"Article 101167"},"PeriodicalIF":6.8,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144780587","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-09-01Epub Date: 2025-07-16DOI: 10.1016/j.coche.2025.101166
Sachini Supunsala Senadheera , Xiangzhou Yuan , Baojun Yi , Seong Kyun Im , Yong Sik Ok
Biochar has recently emerged as a sustainable material with broad applicability in energy storage, contaminant removal, and carbon capture. However, its performance in these domains is often limited by intrinsic surface properties, including porosity and the abundance of functional groups. Plasma treatment has emerged as a promising postsynthesis strategy to tailor biochar’s surface chemistry and morphology. This short review highlights recent advances in the use of plasma-modified biochar for electrochemical energy storage, pollutant adsorption, and CO₂ capture. In energy storage, plasma modification enhances capacitance particularly in activated biochar by increasing surface area and functional group density. For CO₂ capture, nitrogen doping via plasma processes significantly improves adsorption capacity by enhancing surface basicity and affinity toward CO₂ molecules. In contaminant remediation, plasma treatment introduces oxygen- and nitrogen-containing functional groups, increases hydrophilicity, and promotes the formation of surface defects and active sites, collectively improving adsorption of metals and organic pollutants. Despite these promising advancements, research on plasma-treated biochar remains in its early stages, particularly in the context of direct CO₂ capture, warranting further investigation. Overall, plasma modification offers a versatile, scalable route to enhance the physicochemical properties of biochar, positioning it as a multifunctional platform for environmental and energy-related applications.
{"title":"Plasma-modified biochar for energy and environmental sustainability","authors":"Sachini Supunsala Senadheera , Xiangzhou Yuan , Baojun Yi , Seong Kyun Im , Yong Sik Ok","doi":"10.1016/j.coche.2025.101166","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.coche.2025.101166","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Biochar has recently emerged as a sustainable material with broad applicability in energy storage, contaminant removal, and carbon capture. However, its performance in these domains is often limited by intrinsic surface properties, including porosity and the abundance of functional groups. Plasma treatment has emerged as a promising postsynthesis strategy to tailor biochar’s surface chemistry and morphology. This short review highlights recent advances in the use of plasma-modified biochar for electrochemical energy storage, pollutant adsorption, and CO₂ capture. In energy storage, plasma modification enhances capacitance particularly in activated biochar by increasing surface area and functional group density. For CO₂ capture, nitrogen doping via plasma processes significantly improves adsorption capacity by enhancing surface basicity and affinity toward CO₂ molecules. In contaminant remediation, plasma treatment introduces oxygen- and nitrogen-containing functional groups, increases hydrophilicity, and promotes the formation of surface defects and active sites, collectively improving adsorption of metals and organic pollutants. Despite these promising advancements, research on plasma-treated biochar remains in its early stages, particularly in the context of direct CO₂ capture, warranting further investigation. Overall, plasma modification offers a versatile, scalable route to enhance the physicochemical properties of biochar, positioning it as a multifunctional platform for environmental and energy-related applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":292,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Chemical Engineering","volume":"49 ","pages":"Article 101166"},"PeriodicalIF":8.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144634124","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-09-01Epub Date: 2025-06-11DOI: 10.1016/j.coche.2025.101151
Mert Can Hacıfazlıoğlu , Salman Ahmadipouya , Deniz Ipekci , Ying Li , Manish Kumar , Jamie Warner , Yuepeng Zhang , Jeffrey R. McCutcheon
Reverse osmosis (RO) has constituted most of the installed desalination capacity in recent decades. Commercial membranes offer excellent selectivity and reasonable productivity. These membranes, however, suffer from several weaknesses that stem from the use of interfacial polymerization as a means of manufacturing. The inability to control thickness, adjust easily to new chemistries, and avoid surface roughness that enhances foulilng propensity are a few of the weaknesses to conventional membrane fabrication. Numerous materials have been proposed as alternatives to polyamide for RO in recent decades. However, in spite of numerous publications on these new materials, it is remarkable to see how none has even come close to succeeding in replacing conventional RO membrane materials in a commercial setting. This is largely because many of these new materials are incompatible with existing membrane manufacturing approaches such as interfacial polymerization. We must be able to process new materials into thin, defect-free films on conventional supports. This is a significant hurdle for new material adoption in membranes today. New manufacturing methods are needed to address the inherent weaknesses of interfacial polymerization for polyamide and the general processing of newly discovered materials into thin film composite membranes for RO and nanofiltration platforms.
{"title":"Customized membranes: needs and opportunities for moving beyond conventional interfacial polymerization for desalination membranes","authors":"Mert Can Hacıfazlıoğlu , Salman Ahmadipouya , Deniz Ipekci , Ying Li , Manish Kumar , Jamie Warner , Yuepeng Zhang , Jeffrey R. McCutcheon","doi":"10.1016/j.coche.2025.101151","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.coche.2025.101151","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Reverse osmosis (RO) has constituted most of the installed desalination capacity in recent decades. Commercial membranes offer excellent selectivity and reasonable productivity. These membranes, however, suffer from several weaknesses that stem from the use of interfacial polymerization as a means of manufacturing. The inability to control thickness, adjust easily to new chemistries, and avoid surface roughness that enhances foulilng propensity are a few of the weaknesses to conventional membrane fabrication. Numerous materials have been proposed as alternatives to polyamide for RO in recent decades. However, in spite of numerous publications on these new materials, it is remarkable to see how <em>none</em> has even come close to succeeding in replacing conventional RO membrane materials in a commercial setting. This is largely because many of these new materials are incompatible with existing membrane manufacturing approaches such as interfacial polymerization. We must be able to process new materials into thin, defect-free films on conventional supports. This is a significant hurdle for new material adoption in membranes today. New manufacturing methods are needed to address the inherent weaknesses of interfacial polymerization for polyamide and the general processing of newly discovered materials into thin film composite membranes for RO and nanofiltration platforms.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":292,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Chemical Engineering","volume":"49 ","pages":"Article 101151"},"PeriodicalIF":8.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144262063","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-09-01Epub Date: 2025-08-06DOI: 10.1016/j.coche.2025.101170
Maryam Mallek , Damia Barcelo
Microplastics and the even more elusive nanoplastics are now recognized as ubiquitous, persistent, and potentially toxic contaminants in surface waters and wastewaters. Despite growing attention, real-world mitigation remains limited. This critical review interrogates the performance, scalability, and lifecycle implications of the principal removal technologies reported between 2016 and 2025. Although the size-exclusion membranes remain the benchmark for absolute removal efficiency (>95% for MPs <0.5 µm), they incur the highest unit-energy demand and chronic fouling. High-affinity sorbents, including Zr-based metal–organic frameworks, graphene-oxide hybrids, and engineered biochars, achieve 90–97% removal at far lower energy input, yet their lifecycle viability hinges on closed-loop regeneration and avoidance of polymer desorption. Magnetic composites (e.g. Fe₃O₄-ZIF-8) deliver near-quantitative capture (∼98%) within minutes, but field-scale demonstrations and robust magnet-recovery protocols are still lacking. Coagulation and electrocoagulation offer the most cost-effective high-throughput solutions (77–98%) but shift the plastic burden into metal-rich sludges. Advanced oxidation processes uniquely mineralize plastics (≤98.4%) albeit at high reagent and energy cost, while nature-based strategies (microbial consortia, hyperthermophilic composting, constructed wetlands) deliver 40–90% removal over longer residence times and remain highly sensitive to environmental variability. Across all classes, nanoplastic (<100 nm) retention is the weakest link, underscoring the need for standardized detection, nanoscale-selective materials, and pilot-scale validation. To support effective implementation, we identify key research priorities, including fouling control, sorbent regeneration, sludge valorization, catalyst stability, and risk assessment, and propose an integrated treatment hierarchy that couples low-energy bulk removal with targeted polishing and safe end-of-life management.
{"title":"Assessment of removal technologies for microplastics in surface waters and wastewaters","authors":"Maryam Mallek , Damia Barcelo","doi":"10.1016/j.coche.2025.101170","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.coche.2025.101170","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Microplastics and the even more elusive nanoplastics are now recognized as ubiquitous, persistent, and potentially toxic contaminants in surface waters and wastewaters. Despite growing attention, real-world mitigation remains limited. This critical review interrogates the performance, scalability, and lifecycle implications of the principal removal technologies reported between 2016 and 2025. Although the size-exclusion membranes remain the benchmark for absolute removal efficiency (>95% for MPs <0.5 µm), they incur the highest unit-energy demand and chronic fouling. High-affinity sorbents, including Zr-based metal–organic frameworks, graphene-oxide hybrids, and engineered biochars, achieve 90–97% removal at far lower energy input, yet their lifecycle viability hinges on closed-loop regeneration and avoidance of polymer desorption. Magnetic composites (e.g. Fe₃O₄-ZIF-8) deliver near-quantitative capture (∼98%) within minutes, but field-scale demonstrations and robust magnet-recovery protocols are still lacking. Coagulation and electrocoagulation offer the most cost-effective high-throughput solutions (77–98%) but shift the plastic burden into metal-rich sludges. Advanced oxidation processes uniquely mineralize plastics (≤98.4%) albeit at high reagent and energy cost, while nature-based strategies (microbial consortia, hyperthermophilic composting, constructed wetlands) deliver 40–90% removal over longer residence times and remain highly sensitive to environmental variability. Across all classes, nanoplastic (<100 nm) retention is the weakest link, underscoring the need for standardized detection, nanoscale-selective materials, and pilot-scale validation. To support effective implementation, we identify key research priorities, including fouling control, sorbent regeneration, sludge valorization, catalyst stability, and risk assessment, and propose an integrated treatment hierarchy that couples low-energy bulk removal with targeted polishing and safe end-of-life management.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":292,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Chemical Engineering","volume":"49 ","pages":"Article 101170"},"PeriodicalIF":6.8,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144780588","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-09-01Epub Date: 2025-05-14DOI: 10.1016/j.coche.2025.101146
Patricia Garcia-Muñoz , Fernando Fresno
Photocatalytic hydrogen production, even if it should ideally be performed from pure water (i.e. water splitting), benefits from the presence of an easily oxidized reagent, either inorganic (classically sulfite/sulfide) or organic (classically methanol) that scavenges photoproduced holes and alleviates the process form the kinetically hindered, multi-electron process of water oxidation to molecular oxygen. Even if pioneering works of the photocatalytic reaction between alcohols and water examined the outcome of the oxidation branch of the reaction, the use of these reagents passed through a period in which reporting only hydrogen evolution became common practice, assuming total oxidation and taking the consumption of the organic as a sacrifice for hydrogen production. However, in more recent years, the oxidation outcome of the reaction has regained attention, mainly because of the interest in coupling photocatalysis with biomass utilization. Thus, the valorization of biomass-derived alcohol hole scavengers has become an interesting topic in photocatalysis research. Here, we highlight some recent works on this topic, selecting those that have received more attention in the last 2–5 years: polyol (glycerol, glucose) valorization, transformations of furfuryl alcohol and 5-hydroxymethyl furfural, and C-C coupling reactions starting from alcohols. In our opinion, these represent promising niches for the application of photocatalytic processes.
{"title":"Oxidation of alcohols in photocatalytic hydrogen production: from sacrifice to valorization","authors":"Patricia Garcia-Muñoz , Fernando Fresno","doi":"10.1016/j.coche.2025.101146","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.coche.2025.101146","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Photocatalytic hydrogen production, even if it should ideally be performed from pure water (i.e. <em>water splitting</em>), benefits from the presence of an <em>easily</em> oxidized reagent, either inorganic (classically sulfite/sulfide) or organic (classically methanol) that scavenges photoproduced holes and alleviates the process form the kinetically hindered, multi-electron process of water oxidation to molecular oxygen. Even if pioneering works of the photocatalytic reaction between alcohols and water examined the outcome of the oxidation branch of the reaction, the use of these reagents passed through a period in which reporting only hydrogen evolution became common practice, assuming total oxidation and taking the consumption of the organic as a <em>sacrifice</em> for hydrogen production. However, in more recent years, the oxidation outcome of the reaction has regained attention, mainly because of the interest in coupling photocatalysis with biomass utilization. Thus, the <em>valorization</em> of biomass-derived alcohol hole scavengers has become an interesting topic in photocatalysis research. Here, we highlight some recent works on this topic, selecting those that have received more attention in the last 2–5 years: polyol (glycerol, glucose) valorization, transformations of furfuryl alcohol and 5-hydroxymethyl furfural, and C-C coupling reactions starting from alcohols. In our opinion, these represent promising niches for the application of photocatalytic processes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":292,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Chemical Engineering","volume":"49 ","pages":"Article 101146"},"PeriodicalIF":8.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143943484","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-09-01Epub Date: 2025-08-20DOI: 10.1016/j.coche.2025.101174
Toluleke E Akinola , Olajide Otitoju , Eni Oko , Meihong Wang
Rotating packed beds are emerging as a promising alternative to conventional packed beds in solvent-based carbon capture, owing to their high mass transfer rates and compact design. This paper discusses recent advances, challenges and future perspectives associated with RPB technology. Key issues include solvent stability and degradation, corrosion challenges, scaling up for industrial applications and other operational and maintenance hurdles. Future research should focus on developing novel solvents, optimising RPB design, creating high-fidelity models using hybrid approaches, and establishing robust and rigorous procedures for scaling up. Additionally, accurate techno-economic evaluations and exploring decentralised RPB deployment could enhance its commercialisation, making this technology viable for a broader range of industries.
{"title":"Recent advances, challenges and perspectives on rotating packed bed technology in solvent-based post-combustion carbon capture","authors":"Toluleke E Akinola , Olajide Otitoju , Eni Oko , Meihong Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.coche.2025.101174","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.coche.2025.101174","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Rotating packed beds are emerging as a promising alternative to conventional packed beds in solvent-based carbon capture, owing to their high mass transfer rates and compact design. This paper discusses recent advances, challenges and future perspectives associated with RPB technology. Key issues include solvent stability and degradation, corrosion challenges, scaling up for industrial applications and other operational and maintenance hurdles. Future research should focus on developing novel solvents, optimising RPB design, creating high-fidelity models using hybrid approaches, and establishing robust and rigorous procedures for scaling up. Additionally, accurate techno-economic evaluations and exploring decentralised RPB deployment could enhance its commercialisation, making this technology viable for a broader range of industries.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":292,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Chemical Engineering","volume":"49 ","pages":"Article 101174"},"PeriodicalIF":6.8,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144864108","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-09-01Epub Date: 2025-05-14DOI: 10.1016/j.coche.2025.101143
Ion Iliuta, Faïçal Larachi
Innovative, energy-efficient technologies for the capture and conversion of CO2 from marine emissions offer a promising path to reducing CO2 emissions in a circular economy. This emerging research area envisions CO2 capture and conversion in multiphase packed columns and trickle beds on ships and floating production, storage, and offloading units. However, the associated marine environments, characterized by instability and motions, such as tilting, rolling, and heaving, disrupt fluid dynamics, mass transfer, and reaction performance. This contribution examines recent advances in modeling fluid dynamics in (random/structured) packed columns and trickle beds under simulated marine conditions and highlights the role of dynamic gravity in these marinized multiphase packed bed applications. Using transient three-dimensional Computational Fluid Dynamics CFD modeling and simulation, this work explores the effects of tilt angle, heave, and roll motion parameters to quantitatively address the influence of changing sea/ocean conditions. It attempts to shed light on the design and operation of marine/offshore unit operations. Of particular interest is the study's focus on the multiphase flow hydrodynamics under dynamic gravitational forces (high to zero gravity in radial/azimuthal directions or high to low gravity in axial direction of porous medium), resulting in unique patterns, such as axial asymmetric two-phase flows and oscillatory two-phase flows.
{"title":"Role of dynamic gravity in marinized multiphase packed bed applications","authors":"Ion Iliuta, Faïçal Larachi","doi":"10.1016/j.coche.2025.101143","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.coche.2025.101143","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Innovative, energy-efficient technologies for the capture and conversion of CO<sub>2</sub> from marine emissions offer a promising path to reducing CO<sub>2</sub> emissions in a circular economy. This emerging research area envisions CO<sub>2</sub> capture and conversion in multiphase packed columns and trickle beds on ships and floating production, storage, and offloading units. However, the associated marine environments, characterized by instability and motions, such as tilting, rolling, and heaving, disrupt fluid dynamics, mass transfer, and reaction performance. This contribution examines recent advances in modeling fluid dynamics in (random/structured) packed columns and trickle beds under simulated marine conditions and highlights the role of dynamic gravity in these marinized multiphase packed bed applications. Using transient three-dimensional Computational Fluid Dynamics CFD modeling and simulation, this work explores the effects of tilt angle, heave, and roll motion parameters to quantitatively address the influence of changing sea/ocean conditions. It attempts to shed light on the design and operation of marine/offshore unit operations. Of particular interest is the study's focus on the multiphase flow hydrodynamics under dynamic gravitational forces (high to zero gravity in radial/azimuthal directions or high to low gravity in axial direction of porous medium), resulting in unique patterns, such as axial asymmetric two-phase flows and oscillatory two-phase flows.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":292,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Chemical Engineering","volume":"49 ","pages":"Article 101143"},"PeriodicalIF":8.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143947450","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-09-01Epub Date: 2025-05-13DOI: 10.1016/j.coche.2025.101145
Manisha V Bagal , Parag R Gogate
Sonophotocatalysis has gained attention recently for the effective treatment of wastewater, mainly based on the expected synergy from sonication and photocatalysis. The current work focuses on the guidelines related to the mechanisms for synergy, optimization of operating parameters, and reactor designs. The influence of operational parameters, including pH (acidic or alkaline conditions), pollutant concentration, catalyst loading, temperature, and irradiation duration, on degradation extent has been explained. In addition, the effect of reactor characteristics such as ultrasonic frequency and power has been discussed. A significantly higher synergistic pollutant removal has indeed been observed in sonophotocatalysis compared to conventional treatment methods. The incorporation of various doping materials and catalyst supports further enhances degradation efficiency. The expected advancement underscores the potential of sonophotocatalysis as a promising wastewater treatment technology, particularly for the effective elimination of recalcitrant organic contaminants. The review also presents the challenges of the current process and offers recommendations for its future expansion.
{"title":"Solar energy–based sonophotocatalysis for intensified wastewater treatment","authors":"Manisha V Bagal , Parag R Gogate","doi":"10.1016/j.coche.2025.101145","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.coche.2025.101145","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Sonophotocatalysis has gained attention recently for the effective treatment of wastewater, mainly based on the expected synergy from sonication and photocatalysis. The current work focuses on the guidelines related to the mechanisms for synergy, optimization of operating parameters, and reactor designs. The influence of operational parameters, including pH (acidic or alkaline conditions), pollutant concentration, catalyst loading, temperature, and irradiation duration, on degradation extent has been explained. In addition, the effect of reactor characteristics such as ultrasonic frequency and power has been discussed. A significantly higher synergistic pollutant removal has indeed been observed in sonophotocatalysis compared to conventional treatment methods. The incorporation of various doping materials and catalyst supports further enhances degradation efficiency. The expected advancement underscores the potential of sonophotocatalysis as a promising wastewater treatment technology, particularly for the effective elimination of recalcitrant organic contaminants. The review also presents the challenges of the current process and offers recommendations for its future expansion.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":292,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Chemical Engineering","volume":"49 ","pages":"Article 101145"},"PeriodicalIF":8.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143943483","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-06-01Epub Date: 2025-05-21DOI: 10.1016/j.coche.2025.101147
Wajeha Tauqir , Pengfei Xu , George M Bollas , Matthew D Stuber
Modeling serves as the nexus connecting design, control, and optimization in desalination process systems while also providing insights into the interplay between process-level and property-level phenomena. Modeling desalination processes presents challenges due to the complex thermophysical properties and nonideality of multielectrolyte solutions, especially at high concentrations. In this mini-review, we examine the current state of several widely used process modeling tools, their features, and the adaptability to modeling state-of-the-art desalination process systems. We also discuss thermodynamic models of electrolyte solutions and their ability to accurately predict the thermodynamic properties of aqueous multielectrolyte solutions. We conclude that refining and tailoring fundamental thermodynamic models to address the complexities of high-concentration regimes is essential for the design of advanced desalination systems and achieving improvements in energetic and economic efficiencies.
{"title":"Accurate model needs for desalination systems","authors":"Wajeha Tauqir , Pengfei Xu , George M Bollas , Matthew D Stuber","doi":"10.1016/j.coche.2025.101147","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.coche.2025.101147","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Modeling serves as the nexus connecting design, control, and optimization in desalination process systems while also providing insights into the interplay between process-level and property-level phenomena. Modeling desalination processes presents challenges due to the complex thermophysical properties and nonideality of multielectrolyte solutions, especially at high concentrations. In this mini-review, we examine the current state of several widely used process modeling tools, their features, and the adaptability to modeling state-of-the-art desalination process systems. We also discuss thermodynamic models of electrolyte solutions and their ability to accurately predict the thermodynamic properties of aqueous multielectrolyte solutions. We conclude that refining and tailoring fundamental thermodynamic models to address the complexities of high-concentration regimes is essential for the design of advanced desalination systems and achieving improvements in energetic and economic efficiencies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":292,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Chemical Engineering","volume":"48 ","pages":"Article 101147"},"PeriodicalIF":8.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144107810","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-06-01Epub Date: 2025-04-09DOI: 10.1016/j.coche.2025.101127
Mathieu Grandcolas , Annett Thøgersen , Ingeborg-Helene Svenum , Kevin Both , Athanasios Chatzitakis
Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting is a promising method for sustainable hydrogen production. Among potential materials, tantalum nitride (Ta3N5) has emerged as a leading candidate due to its favorable band gap and high theoretical efficiency. This review highlights recent advancements in the synthesis, doping, and surface modification of Ta3N5 photoanodes, which have enabled photocurrent densities approaching the material’s theoretical limit of 12.9 mA/cm² at 1.23 V vs. RHE. Despite these advancements, significant challenges remain, particularly in achieving long-term stability. We critically evaluate the feasibility of meeting the U.S. Department of Energy’s targets and provide insights into more achievable and realistic goals for PEC systems based on Ta3N5, focusing on efficiency, lifetime, and cost competitiveness.
{"title":"Tantalum nitride photoanodes: a promising future for photoelectrochemical water splitting?","authors":"Mathieu Grandcolas , Annett Thøgersen , Ingeborg-Helene Svenum , Kevin Both , Athanasios Chatzitakis","doi":"10.1016/j.coche.2025.101127","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.coche.2025.101127","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting is a promising method for sustainable hydrogen production. Among potential materials, tantalum nitride (Ta<sub>3</sub>N<sub>5</sub>) has emerged as a leading candidate due to its favorable band gap and high theoretical efficiency. This review highlights recent advancements in the synthesis, doping, and surface modification of Ta<sub>3</sub>N<sub>5</sub> photoanodes, which have enabled photocurrent densities approaching the material’s theoretical limit of 12.9 mA/cm² at 1.23 V vs. RHE. Despite these advancements, significant challenges remain, particularly in achieving long-term stability. We critically evaluate the feasibility of meeting the U.S. Department of Energy’s targets and provide insights into more achievable and realistic goals for PEC systems based on Ta<sub>3</sub>N<sub>5</sub>, focusing on efficiency, lifetime, and cost competitiveness.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":292,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Chemical Engineering","volume":"48 ","pages":"Article 101127"},"PeriodicalIF":8.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143799290","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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