Current Opinion in Green and Sustainable Chemistry最新文献

Known for its high theoretical capacity and low cost, the commercialization of Li–S batteries is hindered by the notorious shuttle behavior of the intermediate lithium polysulfides in liquid electrolyte and the sluggish kinetics of the liquid-to-solid reaction. Recently, to improve the electrochemical performance, iron-based compounds with well-designed nanostructures have been developed and applied as host material for sulfur because they have strong chemisorption of polar polysulfide molecules and could reduce the nucleation energy of solid Li₂S. Here, we have reviewed the latest research progresses (in the last three years) of various iron-based compounds as sulfur host materials and prospected the designing principles of efficient host materials with multiple functionalities to address the issues in sulfur cathode.

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have been proposed to provide solutions for industrially-relevant gas separations due to their exciting structural and porosity attributes. Significant progress has been made in the past decade in the development of tailor-made MOFs for gas separation applications. However, most of the developed MOF sorbents, made from different metal salt and organic linker precursors, cannot be prepared following green chemistry principles. Accordingly, recent research has focused on green synthesis protocols for preparing MOFs for energy and environment applications. This short review delves into the lab-scale development of green MOF sorbents, showcasing their performance in selected gas separation applications. By summarizing key recently reported examples, we illustrate the potential of green MOFs to advance the transition to large/industrial scale synthesis and sustainable gas separation technologies. Our analysis also reveals a critical gap, i.e., the lack of quantitative data showing environmental impact and comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) studies.

Flow chemistry is now a key technology for synthetic chemistry, with the different operating windows available allowing new chemistry to be optimised and discovered. The related area of flow biocatalysis is also becoming increasingly recognised as an integral aspect of bioprocess optimisation, with modularisation and technology integration some of the key drivers for this. This minireview will discuss some recent examples where flow has substantially improved the sustainability of a bioprocess. We also reflect on the increase in analytics, how it is starting to impact bioprocess optimisation, and what the implications of this will be moving forward.

This study highlights the extensive use of and full reliance on nonrenewable sources like fossil base fuels results in availability shortage, increased economy, depletion in the carbon sink, CO₂ emission high, environmental pollution, drastic change in climate and mismanagement of waste. To overcome this problem, renewable resources together with nuclear advanced approaches resulted in fewer carbon sources and are used to decarbonize GHG/CO₂ emissions, carbon storage technology and lower carbon pricing to achieve net-zero carbon sustainability in the environment. The proposed policies and their implementation occurrence at national and international levels also resulted in carbon-free production and enhanced consistency. On implementation of environmentally friendly policies, the problem could be solved by global contribution of government, stakeholders, public sectors, engagement policy coherence and integration towards making and implementing policies via advanced approaches for achieving net-zero carbon emissions.

Nanotechnology is a modern scientific field that deals with materials at the nanometric scale. It has emerged as a prominent discipline with diverse applications in everyday life, spanning from the medical field to the food industry. Over the past decade, nanomaterials have proven to be excellent additives for packaging systems, thanks to their unique physicochemical and biological properties. Particularly, agri-food waste-based nanomaterials are both cost-effective and eco-friendly. Agri-food waste and by-products are widely distributed and readily available materials that can be transformed into valuable resources through valorization techniques. This review provides insights into the potential of using agri-food waste and by-products for the biosynthesis of nanoparticles with varying physicochemical and biological properties. The effects of nanoparticles on the properties of packaging systems and health-related issues are also discussed.

This manuscript probes into the burgeoning field of green and sustainable plastics, enlightening their crucial character in contesting the global plastic catastrophe. Having acknowledged the environmental challenges pertaining to conventional plastics, this study explores the multifaceted potential of sustainable alternatives. These variants were categorized based on their source material, biodegradability, recyclability, and carbon footprint. By embracing innovation and actively supporting the development and implementation of sustainable plastics, we can accelerate progress towards achieving these critical SDGs. We highlight the recent technological advancements showcasing novel green plastic production technologies. This study examines the diverse real-world applications of innovative sustainable plastics across numerous industries, highlighting their potential to contribute to a more efficient and environmentally friendly future. Ultimately, by advocating for continued research and technological expansion, we can harness the power of green plastics to build a sustainable and prosperous future.

Growing concerns regarding increasing emission levels and climate change have expedited extensive research on finding alternative fuel resources to fossil fuels. Sustainable production of renewable fuels from renewable resources is seen as one of the most promising solutions. In addition, efficient energy storage systems are crucial to ensure a reliable and resilient power supply. One main challenge faced by current technologies regarding the synthesis and storage of renewable fuels is the lack of efficient catalytic materials and electrode materials. In recent years, liquid metals emerged as a new class of materials with superior catalytic activities and intriguing properties for energy storage. In this minireview, we have presented the latest liquid metal research in the field of renewable fuel synthesis and energy storage along with recommendations for their future development.

Ammonia, a cornerstone of global agriculture and a key industrial chemical, faces growing environmental scrutiny due to its production processes. This mini-review evaluates various production routes through Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to compare traditional and sustainable ammonia production routes, focusing on ecological, human health, and resource impacts. It synthesizes LCA studies, revealing that sustainable practices can significantly reduce ammonia's ecological footprint. The review emphasizes the need for a holistic LCA approach, considering all impact aspects, not just ecological ones, to identify potential burden shifting on ecosystems and human health, and highlights the importance of short and long-term strategies to mitigate environmental impacts from ammonia synthesis.

Ammonia is a promising carbon-neutral, energy-dense fuel to enable long duration storage of renewable energy. This is especially relevant for islanded energy systems that rely entirely on local renewable generation to meet power and heat demands. This paper surveys renewable ammonia production and ammonia-fueled energy generation technologies in terms of recent innovations, economics, and other performance metrics, and their current state of development particularly as it pertains to islanded applications. We then provide insight into recent systems engineering approaches to determining how best to deploy and operate these technologies in islanded renewable ammonia energy systems while also highlighting necessary future research in this area.