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Molecules
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Sustainable Chemical Approaches for Wastewater Treatment and Resource Utilization
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Sustainable Chemical Approaches for Wastewater Treatment and Resource Utilization

A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Applied Chemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 28 February 2026 | Viewed by 3433

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Jingtao Bi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300130, China
Interests: wastewater; adsorption; photocatalysis; titanate; electrodialysis
Dr. Panpan Zhang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300130, China
Interests: photothermal conversion materials; graphene composites; polymer hydrogels; interfacial evaporation; desalination; water purification
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The global demand for clean water and sustainable resource management has accelerated the development of innovative technologies for wastewater treatment and resource utilization. This Special Issue, entitled "Sustainable Chemical Approaches for Wastewater Treatment and Resource Utilization", aims to highlight recent advances in chemistry-driven methods that enable both effective pollutant removal and the value-added recovery of elements and materials from various wastewater streams.

We welcome the submission of original research and reviews focusing on the design, synthesis, and application of functional molecules and materials for processes such as coagulation, adsorption, catalysis, membrane separation, and redox. Topics of interest include the recovery of critical elements (e.g., phosphorus, lithium, uranium), the treatment of emerging pollutants (e.g., pharmaceuticals, PFAS), the development of green chemical processes, and the integration of chemical strategies with biological or physical methods for enhanced performance.

This Special Issue particularly welcomes the submission of interdisciplinary studies that bridge environmental chemistry, materials science, and sustainable chemical engineering, with the goal of advancing circular water systems and promoting the transformation of wastewater from a liability into a resource.

Dr. Jingtao Bi
Dr. Panpan Zhang
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Molecules is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • wastewater treatment
  • functional materials
  • green chemical processes
  • redox
  • adsorption
  • catalysis
  • membrane separation

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Related Special Issues

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

18 pages, 3597 KB  
Article
Continuous Flow-Mode Synthesis of Aromatic Amines in a 3D-Printed Fixed Bed Reactor Loaded with Amino Sugar-Stabilized Re Apparent Nanoparticles
by Patrick Niyirora, Joanna Wolska, Mateusz M. Marzec, Krystian Sokolowski, Anna Leśniewicz, Piotr Jamróz, Anna Dzimitrowicz, Andrzej Bernasik and Piotr Cyganowski
Molecules 2025, 30(18), 3782; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30183782 - 17 Sep 2025
Viewed by 967
Abstract
In industrial processes, catalysts—materials that speed up chemical reactions without being consumed—are essential. The goal of this research was to create two new rhenium-based nanocomposite catalysts that can effectively and sustainably reduce nitroaromatic compounds to aromatic amines in continuous-flow systems. Nitroaromatic hydrocarbons (NACs), [...] Read more.
In industrial processes, catalysts—materials that speed up chemical reactions without being consumed—are essential. The goal of this research was to create two new rhenium-based nanocomposite catalysts that can effectively and sustainably reduce nitroaromatic compounds to aromatic amines in continuous-flow systems. Nitroaromatic hydrocarbons (NACs), widely used in manufacturing pharmaceuticals, insecticides, and herbicides, often contaminate soil and water, posing significant environmental and health risks. However, their reduction to aromatic amines enables potential industrial reuse. In this study, we synthesized two nanocomposite catalysts based on a copolymer functionalized with N-methyl-D-glucamine, embedded with rhenium (Re)-based apparent nanoparticles, and used them to reduce the NACs in continuous-flow mode to their aromatic amines using newly designed and stereolithographic (SLA) 3D-printed reactors. Advanced characterization techniques were employed to evaluate their structure, morphology, and catalytical performance. Catalyst 1, prepared from a self-modified Purolite D4869 resin and characterized by higher Re loading, exhibited superior conversion rates in batch mode (k1 up to 1.406 s−1). In contrast, Catalyst 2, based on a commercial NMDG-functionalized Dowex resin with a mesoporous structure, demonstrated remarkable stability and catalytic capacity under continuous flow (up to 1.383 mmolNAC mLcat−1). Overall, Catalyst 1 was found to be better suited for rapid batch reactions, whereas Catalyst 2 was found to be more appropriate for long-term flow applications, offering a sustainable route for the efficient conversion of nitroaromatic compounds into valuable aromatic amines. The reactors enabled the efficient conversion of NACs into aromatic amines while enhancing process sustainability and efficiency. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Chemical Approaches for Wastewater Treatment and Resource Utilization)
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19 pages, 3553 KB  
Article
Electrochemical Coagulant Generation via Aluminum-Based Electrocoagulation for Sustainable Greywater Treatment and Reuse: Optimization Through Response Surface Methodology and Kinetic Modelling
by Benan Yazıcı Karabulut
Molecules 2025, 30(18), 3779; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30183779 - 17 Sep 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1188
Abstract
This study investigates the operational performance and optimization of a real greywater treatment system utilizing aluminum (Al)-based electrocoagulation (EC). The EC process was systematically evaluated and optimized through Response Surface Methodology (RSM) using the Box–Behnken Design (BBD), focusing on three critical parameters: pH, [...] Read more.
This study investigates the operational performance and optimization of a real greywater treatment system utilizing aluminum (Al)-based electrocoagulation (EC). The EC process was systematically evaluated and optimized through Response Surface Methodology (RSM) using the Box–Behnken Design (BBD), focusing on three critical parameters: pH, current density, and electrolysis time. Greywater samples collected from domestic sources were characterized by key physicochemical parameters including pH, COD, TSS, turbidity-ty, and electrical conductivity. The electrochemical treatment was conducted using a batch reactor equipped with Al electrodes in a monopolar configuration. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) were employed to characterize both the electrodes and the generated sludge. Results revealed a maximum COD removal efficiency of 86.34% under optimized conditions, with current density being the most influential factor, followed by its significant interaction with pH. The developed quadratic model exhibited high predictive accuracy (R2 = 0.96) and revealed significant nonlinear and interaction effects among the parameters. Sludge characterization confirmed the presence of amorphous aluminum hydroxide and oxyhydroxide phases, indicating effective coagulant generation and pollutant capture. The treated greywater met physicochemical criteria for non-potable reuse, such as agricultural irrigation, supporting resource recovery objectives. These findings demonstrate that EC is a low-waste, chemically efficient, and scalable process for decentralized wastewater treatment, aligning with the goals of sustainable chemical engineering. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Chemical Approaches for Wastewater Treatment and Resource Utilization)
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20 pages, 1999 KB  
Article
Membranes from Carboxymethyl Cellulose/Carboxylated Graphene Oxide for Sustainable Water Treatment by Pervaporation and Nanofiltration
by Mariia Dmitrenko, Olga Mikhailovskaya, Anna Kuzminova, Anton Mazur, Rongxin Su and Anastasia Penkova
Molecules 2025, 30(18), 3751; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30183751 - 15 Sep 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 942
Abstract
Developing efficient bio-based membranes is key to sustainable wastewater treatment, especially when they can be applied across multiple separation processes for components of varying molecular weights. This study reports the development and characterization of bio-based mixed matrix membranes from carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) modified [...] Read more.
Developing efficient bio-based membranes is key to sustainable wastewater treatment, especially when they can be applied across multiple separation processes for components of varying molecular weights. This study reports the development and characterization of bio-based mixed matrix membranes from carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) modified with synthesized carboxylated graphene oxide (GOCOOH), aimed at improving performance in both pervaporation and nanofiltration for water treatment. Membrane design was optimized by adjusting the GOCOOH content, applying chemical cross-linking (by immersing in glutaraldehyde with H2SO4), and developing highly effective supported membranes (by the deposition of a thin selective CMC-based layer onto a porous substrate). Comprehensive characterization was performed using spectroscopic, microscopic, and thermogravimetric analyses and contact angle measurements. The optimized cross-linked supported CMC/GOCOOH (5%) membrane demonstrated significantly improved transport properties: a 2.5-fold increased permeation flux and over 99.9 wt.% water in permeate in pervaporation dehydration of isopropanol, and high rejection rates—above 98.5% for anionic dyes and over 99.8% for heavy metal ions in nanofiltration. These findings demonstrate that CMC/GOCOOH membranes are promising, sustainable materials suitable for multiple separation processes involving components of varying molecular weights, contributing to more efficient and eco-friendly wastewater treatment solutions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Chemical Approaches for Wastewater Treatment and Resource Utilization)
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