Green Chemistry最新文献

We report an electrochemical strain-release driven cascade cyclization of N-aryl bicyclobutyl amides with 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds under mild conditions. This operationally simple electro-oxidative procedure enables sequential C(sp³)–H and C(sp²)–H functionalization, offering an efficient route to access functionalized spirocyclobutyl oxindoles in moderate to excellent yields, without the need for super-stoichiometric oxidants or noble-metal catalysts. In addition, the reaction demonstrates broad applicability across a wide range of symmetrical and asymmetrical 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds, including diesters, ketoesters and diketones.

Silicon monoxide (SiO) is one of the most widely applied silicon-based anode materials for commercial lithium-ion batteries. However, conventional high-temperature vacuum solid–phase synthesis suffers from low conversion efficiency (<80%) and sluggish reaction kinetics, leading to an unfavorable cost-to-performance ratio of SiO anodes. In this work, photovoltaic-cutting waste silicon powder was utilized as a sustainable alternative to conventional micron-sized silicon (8–10 μm) for the efficient synthesis of SiO. The ultrafine particle size (∼0.3 μm) and high chemical reactivity of the waste silicon powder markedly accelerated the solid–phase reaction, thereby enhancing both the reaction rate and conversion efficiency. The migration and transformation behaviors of metallic impurities within the waste silicon powder, as well as their effects on SiO conversion efficiency, were systematically elucidated. This synthesis strategy achieved a high SiO conversion rate exceeding 95% and delivered excellent cycling stability when applied to lithium-ion battery anodes. Moreover, the as-prepared anode, even without surface modification, maintained a reversible specific capacity above 580 mAh g⁻¹ after 200 cycles at 0.5 A g⁻¹. The successful implementation of this strategy not only enables the high-value utilization of photovoltaic waste silicon powder and the efficient synthesis of SiO, but also offers a feasible and sustainable pathway toward the low-cost, green, and scalable industrial production of SiO.

Lignocellulosic wastes are naturally abundant carbon resources but have been underutilized due to their complex structure and recalcitrant nature. They require energy- and water-intensive processes, such as thermal, chemical, and/or mechanical pretreatments, for their valorization. Here, we report a new function of raw tree waste for driving the solar-powered oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and biocatalytic oxyfunctionalization of hydrocarbons. We reveal that various lignocellulosic wastes, such as fallen leaves, waste wood, and wastepaper, can produce hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) using only O₂, water, and light without any pretreatment. In particular, fallen leaves from Platanus trees exhibit high rates of ORR, which is ascribed to their superior photophysical properties, such as higher light extinction, longer charge relaxation lifetime, and lower electron transfer resistance. We treated the fallen leaves of Platanus with H₂O₂-dependent unspecific peroxygenase to produce optically pure alcohols and epoxides through the stereoselective hydroxylation and epoxidation of hydrocarbons. The waste-enzyme hybrid catalyst achieved record-high turnover frequency and total turnover number. This study establishes raw biomass wastes as green photocatalysts for sustainable photobiosynthesis, presenting a successful example of waste-to-wealth conversion.

Correction for ‘Boundaries for a global resilient energy transition’ by Martin H. G. Prechtl et al., Green Chem., 2026, https://doi.org/10.1039/d5gc04501k.

Zinc oxide nanowires (ZnO NWs) are promising materials for applications in sensors, transistors, and energy harvesting devices, owing to their unique structural and electronic properties. Despite advances in synthesis techniques, their environmental impacts remain an important consideration for sustainable nanomaterial development. In this study, we introduce a novel hydrothermal synthesis route inspired by Fehling's reaction, enabling the growth of ZnO NWs at low temperature and atmospheric pressure using bio-based and low-cost reagents such as glucose. To assess the environmental footprint of this novel method, a comparative life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology was employed using the OpenLCA software. The new route was benchmarked against a conventional sol–gel/chemical bath deposition synthesis which yields NWs of similar morphology. Results show that the Fehling-inspired method significantly reduces environmental impacts—by one to two orders of magnitude—across key categories such as climate change, ozone depletion, and human toxicity. In both methods, the silicon wafer substrate, electricity use, and hazardous waste treatment emerged as the dominant contributors to overall impacts, while chemical inputs had relatively minor effects, reinforcing the green chemistry potential of the proposed process. Sensitivity analyses explored several strategies for further impact reduction, including testing the influence of substrate materials, energy optimization, and regionalization. This work underscores the value of LCA as a tool for early-stage process evaluation and highlights practical opportunities for improving the sustainability of nanomaterial synthesis.

Polyurethanes (PU) are difficult to recycle because of their thermoset-like cross-linked structure and robust urethane linkages, yet they contain both polyols and aromatic diamine precursors that are attractive targets for circular valorization. Glycerol-based glycolysis of PU has been reported previously, mainly with an emphasis on polyol recovery, whereas the composition and potential of the diamine-rich lower phase have remained insufficiently characterized. Here, we combine product speciation, phase-behavior analysis, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations to elucidate why glycerol is particularly effective at driving TDI-based PU foams toward high-yield aromatic diamine recovery. Under tin catalysis at 200 °C and 1 atm N₂, glycerol mediates efficient depolymerization of model and commercial TDI-based foams, affording near-quantitative toluenediamine (TDA) yields in the lower phase together with a polyether-polyol-rich upper phase. Comparative experiments with diethylene glycol and a series of C₅ alcohols show that glycerol uniquely combines high overall PU conversion with markedly enhanced TDA selectivity. DFT calculations indicate that secondary-hydroxyl participation lowers the rate-determining barrier relative to typical diols. Using crude glycerol as both reagent and reaction medium, kilogram-scale glycolysis of waste car seat cushions affords a diamine-rich lower phase and a polyether-polyol-rich upper phase that closely match the speciation trends observed at bench scale, demonstrating a diamine-targeted, mechanistically guided alternative to existing polyol-centric glycolysis processes.

Catalytic oxidation offers a promising green approach for converting polyethylene (PE) into valuable oxygenated products under mild conditions. However, its large-scale application is hindered by the high cost and limited activity of existing catalysts. Here, we report a noble-metal-free, carbon-modified TiO₂ (C/TiO₂) catalyst for efficient oxidative conversion of PE under mild conditions (150 °C, 1.5 MPa air). After 24 h of reaction, a 120 wt% product oil-to-feedstock mass ratio and 74% carbon molar conversion (based on product oil) were achieved. The product oil primarily consists of long-chain dicarboxylic acids, confirmed by Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). Importantly, C/TiO₂ also effectively converts real post-consumer PE plastics containing pigments, yielding similar product profiles. Spectroscopic and microscopic analyses reveal that carbon deposition increases oxygen vacancies, enhancing catalytic activity. This work offers an economic strategy for sustainable plastic waste valorization via tunable catalyst surface engineering.

Sustainable mitigation of atmospheric CO₂ requires not only efficient capture technologies but also environmentally responsible production of the materials that enable them. Many capture systems rely on materials synthesized via energy-intensive, multi-step processes from non-renewable feedstocks. To create truly sustainable solutions, there is a critical need for green synthetic pathways that minimize the overall carbon footprint of capture technologies from cradle to grave. Here, we report a diphenoquinone-based CO₂ capture material synthesized from the lignin-derived monomer via an enzymatic coupling reaction, establishing a sustainable route under mild, aqueous conditions without complex purification. The reaction selectively forms a crystalline C4–C4′ linked diphenoquinone, confirmed by comprehensive spectroscopic analyses, and avoids the structural heterogeneity typical of lignin-derived products. The resulting molecule exhibits a positive redox potential and robust reversibility, enabling electrochemical CO₂ capture and release with a specific capacity of 1.9 mmol g⁻¹. While initial performance is limited by the physical stability of the reduced species, this work establishes a new paradigm for lignin valorization by transforming renewable phenolics into discrete, functional molecules for CO₂ capture, and offers a broadly applicable platform for green synthesis of bio-derived quinones, providing a foundation for sustainable technologies within a circular carbon economy.

This work proposes a practical intramolecular hydrogen bonding strategy to reduce the dielectric constant (D_k) of epoxy resins by harnessing lignin's intrinsic ortho-methoxy groups as structural modulators. The escalating demand for high-speed electronics has driven the need for low-D_k materials; however, conventional strategies are plagued by complex molecular design, high costs, and compromised thermomechanical performance. Herein, in contrast to resource-intensive demethoxylation approaches, we retain the characteristic methoxy groups of lignin to form intramolecular hydrogen bonds with hydroxyl groups generated during epoxy curing. This mechanism effectively shields polar groups (primary contributors to high D_k), reducing D_k from 4.37 (conventional analog) to 3.75 at 1 MHz. The networks exhibit exceptional hygrothermal stability, with a glass transition temperature (T_g) decline of ≤2 °C and retention of ∼94.2% tensile strength and ∼93.7% modulus after 15 days of aging at 90% relative humidity and 60 °C. This work not only provides a novel method for reducing D_k but also innovatively valorizes lignin's characteristic methoxy groups, offering a sustainable platform for advanced microelectronics.

Eutectogels, as an emerging class of soft materials, have garnered significant interest due to the integration of the tunable properties of deep eutectic solvents (DESs) with the structural stability of gel networks, demonstrating remarkable potential in various advanced applications. Distinguished from conventional gels, eutectogels exhibit exceptional stability, high ionic conductivity, and versatile functionality, positioning them as promising candidates for next-generation materials. This review begins by outlining the fundamental synthesis strategies and unique physicochemical properties of eutectogels, emphasizing how the synergistic interactions between the DES components and the gel matrix define their characteristic performance. It subsequently elaborates on five distinct synthetic approaches for eutectogels, analyzing the underlying mechanisms that govern their formation and structure–property relationships. The applications of eutectogels are then systematically reviewed across key fields including energy storage (batteries and supercapacitors), sensing platforms, biomedical therapeutics, and optical systems. Finally, current challenges and future research directions for eutectogels are critically discussed, highlighting their transformative role in enabling sustainable and multifunctional technological solutions.