Sustainable Chemistry

11 pages, 2687 KB

Open AccessArticle

Energy-Saving Dehydration of Alcohols Through Modified Spanish Attapulgites as Catalysts for a Sustainable Synthesis of Industrially Relevant Alkene Chemicals

by Adil Allahverdiyev, Jonas Gurauskis, Vanesa Gil and Harald Gröger

Sustain. Chem. 2026, 7(1), 10; https://doi.org/10.3390/suschem7010010 - 3 Feb 2026

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Abstract

A commercially available attapulgite sample (Red Attapulgite) was acid-pretreated to enhance its catalytic activity. It turned out to efficiently facilitate the dehydration of a range of substituted alcohols. The dehydration of the primary alcohol was conducted at 150–180 °C, which represents energy-saving conditions [...] Read more.

A commercially available attapulgite sample (Red Attapulgite) was acid-pretreated to enhance its catalytic activity. It turned out to efficiently facilitate the dehydration of a range of substituted alcohols. The dehydration of the primary alcohol was conducted at 150–180 °C, which represents energy-saving conditions when taking into account the typical dehydration conditions of primary alcohols with temperatures of >300 °C. The alkene yields obtained in this study were found to be comparable to those when utilizing commercially available montmorillonite as catalysts, thereby underscoring the potential of the acid-pretreated attapulgite as a catalyst for a variety of reactions. In a parallel study, dehydration catalyzed by a range of Brønsted acids was investigated. However, only two of these acids were found to be suitable for the dehydration of primary alcohols. Nevertheless, these acids lacked both dehydration activity and recyclability. Therefore, a recyclability study was conducted in the presence of the acid-pretreated attapulgite sample. It is remarkable that no loss of activity was found over five cycles. We hypothesize that after acid-pretreatment, a synergistic effect of the Brønsted and Lewis acid sites is the cause for the high catalytic activity of the sample. Full article

(This article belongs to the Collection Heterogeneous Catalysts Applied in Sustainable Chemistry)

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26 pages, 2349 KB

Open AccessReview

Harnessing Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents for Functional Foods: Enhancing Extraction, and Antioxidant/Anti-Inflammatory Bioactivity

by Viktor Husak, Eliška Kováříková and Olena Bobrova

Sustain. Chem. 2026, 7(1), 9; https://doi.org/10.3390/suschem7010009 - 2 Feb 2026

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Abstract

Natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) are gaining interest as environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional organic solvents in the functional food sector. Their low volatility, biodegradability, and tunable polarity, combined with high affinity for phenolics, carotenoids, and other phytochemicals, make them particularly relevant for [...] Read more.

Natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) are gaining interest as environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional organic solvents in the functional food sector. Their low volatility, biodegradability, and tunable polarity, combined with high affinity for phenolics, carotenoids, and other phytochemicals, make them particularly relevant for developing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory ingredients at a time of rising diet-related chronic disease burden. This review critically analyses the role of NADES along the functional food chain. We summarize their composition, preparation, and key physicochemical properties, and then examine the NADES-based extraction of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds from plants and food by-products in comparison with traditional solvent systems. The influence of NADES on the stability and biological activity of recovered compounds is discussed, together with their use in the formulation, stabilization, and delivery strategies for functional foods. Emerging data indicate that NADES often enhance extraction yields and may protect labile bioactives, leading to stronger antioxidant and anti-inflammatory responses in vitro compared with ethanol or water extracts when normalized to phenolic content. At the same time, large-scale implementation is limited by challenges related to safety assessment, regulatory acceptance, viscosity, and recovery issues, and incomplete techno-economic data. This review highlights these constraints, identifies key knowledge gaps, and outlines research priorities required to translate NADES-based processes into scalable, safe, and health-promoting functional food applications. Full article

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20 pages, 2070 KB

Open AccessArticle

Reducing the Environmental Impact of Wet Chemical Processes for Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing

by Mateusz Gocyla, Lizzie Boakes, Herbert Struyf, Rachid Chokri, Tibo Vandevenne, Jo Van Caneghem, Cedric Rolin and Stefan De Gendt

Sustain. Chem. 2026, 7(1), 8; https://doi.org/10.3390/suschem7010008 - 2 Feb 2026

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Abstract

Semiconductor manufacturing is a resource and energy-intensive industry with a substantial environmental footprint. To address the footprint, we present a methodology for quantifying the environmental impact of semiconductor unit processes using the Environmental Footprint 3.1 Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) framework, focusing on [...] Read more.

Semiconductor manufacturing is a resource and energy-intensive industry with a substantial environmental footprint. To address the footprint, we present a methodology for quantifying the environmental impact of semiconductor unit processes using the Environmental Footprint 3.1 Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) framework, focusing on identifying improvement opportunities in process steps with less sensitivity to defects. We apply this methodology to backside wet cleaning by proposing an alternative single-wafer process that adopts ozonated chemistries. The assessment used primary data from imec’s 300 mm pilot line. Results show that the proposed process reduces the total environmental footprint by 55% compared to the baseline Spin Cleaning with Repetitive use of Ozonated water and Diluted HF process. Key reductions include 67% less electricity for cleaning, 59% less HF use, and a 31% reduction in ultrapure water consumption. When scaled to a facility producing N28 Logic wafers at 50,000 wafer starts per month, with 46 backside clean steps per processed wafer, the process achieves annual savings of approximately 4 million kWh of electricity and 28 million liters (28,000 m³) of tap water per year. A sensitivity analysis revealed that replacing fossil-based electricity with hydroelectric power further reduces total environmental impacts by up to 63%, emphasizing the benefit of combining process innovation with renewable energy sourcing. Full article

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17 pages, 2808 KB

Open AccessArticle

Comparative Analysis of Machine Learning Models for Prediction of Langelier Saturation Index in Groundwater of a River Basin

by Jelena Vesković, Milica Lučić, Andrijana Miletić, Marija Vesković and Antonije Onjia

Sustain. Chem. 2026, 7(1), 7; https://doi.org/10.3390/suschem7010007 - 20 Jan 2026

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Abstract

Accurate prediction of the Langelier Saturation Index (LSI), an indicator of water’s scaling and corrosive potential, is vital for water treatment and infrastructure maintenance. In this study, five machine learning models (Ridge Regression, Support Vector Machine, Random Forest, Deep Neural Network, and XGBoost) [...] Read more.

Accurate prediction of the Langelier Saturation Index (LSI), an indicator of water’s scaling and corrosive potential, is vital for water treatment and infrastructure maintenance. In this study, five machine learning models (Ridge Regression, Support Vector Machine, Random Forest, Deep Neural Network, and XGBoost) were applied to predict the LSI from physicochemical characteristics of groundwater in the Morava River basin (Serbia). Rigorous data preprocessing (outlier removal, missing data handling, z-score normalization) and feature selection were performed to ensure robust model training. Models were optimized via 10-fold cross-validation on a 70/30 train–test split. All models achieved high predictive accuracy, with ensemble methods outperforming others. XGBoost yielded the best performance (R² = 0.98; RMSE = 0.06), followed closely by Random Forest (R² = 0.95). The linear Ridge model showed the lowest (yet still strong) performance (R² = 0.90) and larger errors at extreme LSI values. Feature importance analysis consistently identified pH as the most influential predictor of the LSI, followed by alkalinity and calcium. Partial dependence plots confirmed that the models captured established nonlinear LSI behavior. The LSI rises steeply with increasing pH and moderately with mineral content. Overall, this comparative study demonstrates that modern machine learning models can predict the LSI accurately, providing interpretable insights through feature importance and dependence plots. These results underscore the potential of data-driven approaches to complement traditional water stability indices for proactive water quality management. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Circularity, Sustainability, Resilience, and Analysis in Water, Wastewater, and Sludge Management)

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21 pages, 3687 KB

Open AccessArticle

A Sustainable Circular Route for PET LDH Nanocomposites: Catalyst-Driven Polymerization and Depolymerization for a BHET-to-BHET Cycle

by Tsung-Yen Tsai, Basharat Hussain and Naveen Bunekar

Sustain. Chem. 2026, 7(1), 6; https://doi.org/10.3390/suschem7010006 - 16 Jan 2026

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Abstract

A sustainable circular pathway was developed for poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) nanocomposites through a catalyst-driven polymerization and depolymerization process. In this study, calcium dodecylbenzene sulfonate with n-butyl alcohol modified ZnAl layered double hydroxides (LDHs) were utilized as bifunctional catalysts to synthesize highly exfoliated PET/LDH [...] Read more.

A sustainable circular pathway was developed for poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) nanocomposites through a catalyst-driven polymerization and depolymerization process. In this study, calcium dodecylbenzene sulfonate with n-butyl alcohol modified ZnAl layered double hydroxides (LDHs) were utilized as bifunctional catalysts to synthesize highly exfoliated PET/LDH nanocomposites via in situ polycondensation of bis(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (BHET). The organic modification of LDHs expanded interlayer spacing, improved interfacial compatibility, and promoted uniform dispersion, leading to enhanced mechanical, thermal, and barrier properties. In the second stage, the pristine LDH catalyst efficiently depolymerized the prepared PET/LDH nanocomposites back into BHET through glycolysis, completing a closed-loop BHET-to-BHET cycle. This integrated strategy demonstrates the reversible catalytic functionality of LDHs in both polymerization and depolymerization, reducing metal contamination and energy demand. The proposed approach represents a sustainable route for designing recyclable high-performance PET nanocomposites aligned with the principles of green chemistry and circular material systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Green and Recycled Polymer Materials Towards Sustainability)

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16 pages, 4202 KB

Open AccessArticle

Metol Electrochemical Sensing over LASIS Gold Nanoparticle-Modified Screen-Printed Carbon Electrodes in Adsorption Studies with Waste Biomass-Derived Highly Porous Carbon Material

by Marina Radenković, Ana Lazić, Marija Kovačević, Miloš Ognjanović, Dalibor Stanković, Dubravka Relić, Ana Kalijadis, Aleksandra Dimitrijević and Sanja Živković

Sustain. Chem. 2026, 7(1), 5; https://doi.org/10.3390/suschem7010005 - 13 Jan 2026

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Abstract

This work used activated carbon material obtained by chemical activation of abundantly available agricultural sunflower waste residues to remove metol (4-(methylamino) phenol sulfate, MTL) from aqueous solutions. The adsorbent structure was characterized using SEM-EDS and FT-IR spectroscopy. A modified screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE) [...] Read more.

This work used activated carbon material obtained by chemical activation of abundantly available agricultural sunflower waste residues to remove metol (4-(methylamino) phenol sulfate, MTL) from aqueous solutions. The adsorbent structure was characterized using SEM-EDS and FT-IR spectroscopy. A modified screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE) with gold nanoparticles synthesized using the Laser Ablation Synthesis in Solution (LASIS) method was used to detect MTL. The successful LASIS formation of gold nanoparticles was confirmed by the specific dark burgundy–red color. TEM measurements showed uniform pseudo-spherical particles with an average diameter of 7.9 ± 0.2 nm. The modified electrode showed improved electrochemical activity, which was confirmed by comparing it with an unmodified electrode using cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The modified electrode was subsequently used to optimize the MTL detection conditions. UV–Vis spectroscopy was used to optimize the adsorption conditions, with the optimal values for pH and contact time found to be 8 and 120 min, respectively. The electrochemical detection of MTL was performed using differential pulse voltammetry, and the linear calibration range was established for concentrations ranging from 0.73–49.35 µM. The obtained limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) were 0.06 µM and 0.2 µM, respectively. The efficiency of MTL removal was 100% after a contact time of 1 min and remained at 100% after 120 min. Full article

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16 pages, 4119 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Influence of Moringa oleifera Biomass and Extraction Methods on Biogenic Synthesis of Iron Nanoparticles for Inhibition of Microbial Pollutants

by Luisa F. Medina-Ganem, Neali Valencia-Espinoza, Godwin A. Ayoko, Erick Bandala, Alain Salvador Conejo-Davila, Alejandro Vega-Rios, Ashantha Goonetilleke and Oscar M. Rodriguez-Narvaez

Sustain. Chem. 2026, 7(1), 4; https://doi.org/10.3390/suschem7010004 - 8 Jan 2026

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Abstract

Biogenic nanoparticles have recently emerged as promising bacterial growth inhibitors, requiring low concentrations and not producing harmful byproducts. However, knowledge gaps remain regarding how different extraction techniques affect nanoparticle synthesis, thereby influencing their replicability and scalability across various applications. To address these knowledge [...] Read more.

Biogenic nanoparticles have recently emerged as promising bacterial growth inhibitors, requiring low concentrations and not producing harmful byproducts. However, knowledge gaps remain regarding how different extraction techniques affect nanoparticle synthesis, thereby influencing their replicability and scalability across various applications. To address these knowledge gaps, this study compared six extracts derived from Moringa oleifera biomass for the synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles. Multivariate statistical analyses correlated extraction methods with biomolecule content (polyphenols, flavonoids, carbohydrates, proteins), iron percentage, and E. coli growth inhibition. All extracts showed varying concentrations of biomolecules, and different extraction methods were preferable for specific components. Flavonoids were best extracted by salting-out, while infusion methods were better for obtaining carbohydrates. Higher percentages of iron (22.77%) were linked to the presence of polyphenols and flavonoids. Nanoparticles prepared using salting-out and infusion extraction from leaf biomass displayed the highest efficiency in inhibiting E. coli growth, up to a dilution factor of 4. The outcomes of this research study provide an in-depth understanding of the role of specific biomolecules in biogenic nanoparticle synthesis, confirming that both synthesis yield and application effectiveness depend on the extract preparation method. Full article

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25 pages, 9274 KB

Open AccessArticle

Synthesis, Characterization, and Performance Evaluation of Nanocrystalline Metal Oxides for Shale Inhibition in Water-Based Drilling Fluids

by Rami Doukeh, Cristian Nicolae Eparu, Alina Petronela Prundurel, Mihail Tudose, Gheorghe Brănoiu, Iuliana Veronica Ghețiu, Laura Ștefania Păun, Sonia Mihai, Ioana Gabriela Stan and Doru Bogdan Stoica

Sustain. Chem. 2026, 7(1), 3; https://doi.org/10.3390/suschem7010003 - 7 Jan 2026

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Abstract

Water-based drilling fluids (WBDFs) are widely used due to their economic and environmental advantages; however, shale hydration remains a major limitation. This study evaluates Fe₂O₃, CuO, ZnO, and MgO nanocrystalline metal oxides synthesized via co-precipitation as inorganic shale inhibitors [...] Read more.

Water-based drilling fluids (WBDFs) are widely used due to their economic and environmental advantages; however, shale hydration remains a major limitation. This study evaluates Fe₂O₃, CuO, ZnO, and MgO nanocrystalline metal oxides synthesized via co-precipitation as inorganic shale inhibitors for WBDFs. Comprehensive characterization confirmed phase-pure nanocrystalline oxides (17–38 nm) with high thermal stability. Performance tests revealed that MgO-based WBDF exhibited the lowest plastic viscosity (17 cP), the highest pH (≈10.0), and the strongest shale inhibition (6.1% swelling), while Fe₂O₃ provided superior filtration control (6.0 mL). CuO showed balanced rheology, whereas ZnO displayed comparatively weaker inhibition. Compared with commercial inhibitors (Amine NF and Glycol), MgO- and Fe₂O₃-based systems achieved comparable or improved performance with enhanced thermal and environmental robustness. These results demonstrate the potential of nanocrystalline metal oxides as sustainable additives for improving WBDF performance under high-pressure, high-temperature (HPHT) conditions. Full article

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15 pages, 2531 KB

Open AccessArticle

Amorphous Anodized Porous Titania as IrO₂ Substrate for the Electrochemical Oxygen Evolution Reaction

by Effrosyni Mitrousi, Triantafyllia Kokkinou, Maria Zografaki, Maria Nikopoulou, Angeliki Banti, Dimitra A. Lambropoulou and Sotiris Sotiropoulos

Sustain. Chem. 2026, 7(1), 2; https://doi.org/10.3390/suschem7010002 - 6 Jan 2026

Viewed by 445

Abstract

This study investigates amorphous anodized porous TiO₂ (a-TiO₂) as a substrate for iridium-based oxygen evolution catalysts. The substrates were prepared via anodization of Ti foil in a glycerol-based solution for 15 min @ 60 V. Nickel was subsequently electrodeposited to [...] Read more.

This study investigates amorphous anodized porous TiO₂ (a-TiO₂) as a substrate for iridium-based oxygen evolution catalysts. The substrates were prepared via anodization of Ti foil in a glycerol-based solution for 15 min @ 60 V. Nickel was subsequently electrodeposited to act both as a conductive and sacrificial layer for the galvanic deposition of iridium from an Ir(IV) chloro-complex solution. Electrochemical anodization resulted in a uniform IrO_x layer on the a-TiO₂ substrate, featuring Ir aggregates ~250 nm in size and an Ir:Ni atomic ratio of ca. 7, as determined by EDS analysis. The quantity of Ni determined by ICP-MS bulk analysis indicated that Ni resided also within the porous matrix. Varying the Ni deposition charge density (q_Ni) revealed that an intermediate loading (1463 mC cm⁻²) provided the best balance between Ir accessibility during the galvanic replacement step and electronic continuity. The optimized IrO_x/Ir-Ni/a-TiO₂ electrode achieved excellent OER performance (η = 344 mV @ 10 mA cm⁻²; 1.68 mA μg_Ir⁻¹ @ η = 300 mV) at an ultra-low Ir loading of 2.15 μg_Ir cm⁻² and demonstrated good short-term stability, with only a 20 mV potential increase over 4 h of continuous operation at 5.5 mA cm⁻². Overall, this strategy offers a scalable pathway for producing efficient OER electrodes with minimal noble metal loading. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovations in Energy Engineering and Cleaner Production: A Sustainable Chemistry Perspective)

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22 pages, 4658 KB

Open AccessArticle

Investigating the Separation Efficiency of Ultrafiltration/Diafiltration (UF/DF) of Whey by Dielectric Measurements

by Réka Dobozi, Zoltán Péter Jákói, Sándor Beszédes, Balázs P. Szabó and Szabolcs Kertész

Sustain. Chem. 2026, 7(1), 1; https://doi.org/10.3390/suschem7010001 - 4 Jan 2026

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Abstract

In whey valorization, membrane separation stands out as a highly effective technique for purifying and isolating the various components of whey. The efficiency of whey ultrafiltration and diafiltration (UF/DF) largely depends on the balance between membrane selectivity, hydrodynamic conditions, and solute interactions at [...] Read more.

In whey valorization, membrane separation stands out as a highly effective technique for purifying and isolating the various components of whey. The efficiency of whey ultrafiltration and diafiltration (UF/DF) largely depends on the balance between membrane selectivity, hydrodynamic conditions, and solute interactions at the membrane interface. In this study, sweet whey was fractioned using 10, 30 and 50 kDa polyether sulfone (PES) membranes under identical transmembrane pressure (TMP = 2.5 bar) with ultrafiltration and a subsequent 4-step constant volume diafiltration stages. The resulting compositional and dielectric changes were evaluated to identify optimal separation conditions and assess the applicability of dielectric parameter measurement as a rapid, non-destructive monitoring technique. Results showed that, regardless of the applied molecular weight cut-off (MWCO), using three DF cycles can wash out almost all the removable lactose from the retentates, and the dielectric assessment of both permeate and retentate fractions showed a strong, linear relationship between the change in dielectric behavior and the composition of each fraction. Analysis of the dielectric spectra confirmed that the ratio of the dielectric constant to the loss factor (ε′/ε″) exhibited a strong linear correlation (R² > 0.98, r > 0.99) with lactose concentration in the permeate fractions of all three MWCO membranes, as well as a similarly strong correlation (R² > 0.975, r > 0.98) with the total chemical oxygen demand (TCOD) measured in the retentate fractions. Full article

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Sustain. Chem., Volume 7, Issue 1 (March 2026) – 10 articles

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