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Green Chemistry in China: Advancing Sustainable Science for a Better World

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2026 | Viewed by 387

Special Issue Editors

School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300354, China
Interests: environmental chemistry; atmospheric VOCs management; agricultural soil remediation
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Guest Editor
School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300354, China
Interests: environmental chemistry; environmental engineering; water pollution control

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In the face of escalating global challenges—such as resource depletion, environmental degradation, and climate change—green chemistry emerges as a transformative discipline dedicated to designing efficient, clean, and low-carbon technologies. China has rapidly ascended as a powerhouse in this field, pioneering innovations that align economic growth with ecological sustainability. The nation’s scientific community has made significant strides in developing technologies that minimize hazardous substances, utilize renewable resources, and enhance energy efficiency. To spotlight these critical advancements, we announce the launch of the Special Issue “Green Chemistry in China” which will serve as a premier platform for disseminating cutting-edge research addressing the urgent need for sustainable chemical processes and environmental protection.

Presenting a very broad scope, this Special Issue welcomes papers covering but not limited to the following technologies and green applications: sustainable catalysis (such as synthetic biology approaches, enzyme/biocatalysis, normal temperature catalysis, biomimetic catalysis, and photocatalysis); green processes (such as solvent-free reactions, process intensification, or atomic active site catalysis); green energy and materials; the degradation of micropollutants; and green remediation processes for soil, water, and air treatment.

This Special Issue will focus on the latest excellent academic achievements in green chemistry in China and will provide a collection of papers as a reference tool for researchers, especially those working in the fields of biotechnology, catalysis, environmental science, carbon neutrality, green energy and materials, and agriculture.

We are looking forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Hui Ding
Prof. Dr. Sihui Zhan
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • sustainable catalysis
  • green processes
  • green energy
  • green materials
  • green remediation processes
  • environmental catalysis
  • degradation of micropollutants
  • synthetic biology approaches
  • enzyme
  • biocatalysis
  • normal temperature catalysis
  • biomimetic catalysis
  • photocatalysis
  • solvent-free reactions
  • process intensification
  • atomic active site catalysis
  • biotechnology
  • carbon neutrality

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

23 pages, 3311 KB  
Article
Preparation of Lignin Nanoparticles from Thlaspi arvense L. Rhizomes via Ultrasound-Assisted Antisolvent Precipitation: Nanostructural Characterization and Evaluation of Their Radical Scavenging Activity
by Ru Zhao, Wenjun Xu, Yuxiang Tang, Jinwen Liu, Xiaoli Li, Liangui Tan, Ailing Ben, Tingli Liu and Lei Yang
Molecules 2025, 30(20), 4070; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30204070 (registering DOI) - 13 Oct 2025
Abstract
The ultrasound-assisted antisolvent precipitation method was used to prepare lignin nanoparticles from Thlaspi arvense L. rhizomes. The influence of each experimental variable on the average particle size (APS) of the lignin nanoparticles was determined via single-factor experiments. The optimal conditions for the preparation [...] Read more.
The ultrasound-assisted antisolvent precipitation method was used to prepare lignin nanoparticles from Thlaspi arvense L. rhizomes. The influence of each experimental variable on the average particle size (APS) of the lignin nanoparticles was determined via single-factor experiments. The optimal conditions for the preparation of the lignin nanoparticles were investigated in detail, and the APS of the lignin nanoparticles was 118 ± 3 nm. Compared with those of untreated lignin, the lignin nanoparticles prepared via this method were spherical and evenly distributed, and the structure was not damaged. Ultrasound generated local extreme physical conditions through its cavitation effect to promote nucleation, triggered high-speed turbulence to refine the particle size and improve uniformity, and applied mechanical disturbance to inhibit particle agglomeration, which promoted the preparation of lignin nanoparticles with a small size and good dispersion. A solubility test revealed that the lignin nanoparticles had greater solubility, which was improved 9-fold. The determination of antioxidant capacity revealed that the lignin nanoparticles had high free radical scavenging activity, which provided a broader space for the multifaceted utilization of a kind of grass lignin with the structural characteristics of T. arvense lignin (p-hydroxyphenyl lignin). Full article
10 pages, 1562 KB  
Article
Liquid Metal Gallium Promotes the Activity and Stability of the Cu-ZnO Catalyst for CO2 Hydrogenation to Methanol
by Yu Zhang, Yuanshuang Zheng, Xiulin Wang, Suofu Nie, Wenqian Zhang, Lun He and Bang Gu
Molecules 2025, 30(20), 4033; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30204033 - 10 Oct 2025
Viewed by 202
Abstract
CO2 hydrogenation to methanol has attracted considerable attention as a promising catalytic route for both reducing CO2 emissions and producing valuable chemical intermediates. Among various catalysts, Cu–ZnO-based systems are the most widely studied; however, their performance remains constrained by limited methanol [...] Read more.
CO2 hydrogenation to methanol has attracted considerable attention as a promising catalytic route for both reducing CO2 emissions and producing valuable chemical intermediates. Among various catalysts, Cu–ZnO-based systems are the most widely studied; however, their performance remains constrained by limited methanol selectivity and stability, highlighting the need for improved catalytic strategies. In this work, liquid metal gallium (Ga) was incorporated into Cu–ZnO catalysts as an additive for CO2 hydrogenation to methanol. Owing to its high dispersibility and fluidity, Ga helps maintain long-term catalyst stability. We investigated different introduction methods for Ga promoters and found that the physical mixing approach generated the strongest alkaline sites, thereby enhancing CO2 activation and increasing the CO2 conversion to methanol. Moreover, this catalyst effectively suppressed carbon deposition, further improving its stability. These findings offer new insights into the use of liquid metal Ga in CO2 hydrogenation and provide fresh perspectives for the rational design of efficient methanol synthesis catalysts. Full article
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