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The Science and Technology of Energy, Materials, and Environment: Convert...
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The Science and Technology of Energy, Materials, and Environment: Convert Waste into Resources

A special issue of Processes (ISSN 2227-9717). This special issue belongs to the section "Energy Systems".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 January 2026 | Viewed by 4108

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Yang Guo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Chemical Engineering, Shandong Institute of Petroleum and Chemical Technology, Dongying 257061, China
Interests: industrial solid waste treatment; combustion; pollution control; separation technology; CO2 capture; energy storage materials
Dr. Yixin Zhang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China
Interests: biomass; coal; solid waste treatment; energy storage materials
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Shiling Yuan

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, China
Interests: molecular simulation on polymer; surfactant; self-assembly
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Waste presents a growing trend, and greenhouse gas emitted from toxic and hazardous substances and their cross-regional environmental impacts in the utilization and disposal processes have become one of the major concerns worldwide. The Earth’s biosphere has a limit to provide resources as well as to absorb the waste that is being produced constantly. A vital part of how to address the worldwide over-consumption of rare virgin resources is how we capitalize on the waste. Waste can be considered renewable resources due to its potential to be converted from supposedly waste into useful products, energy, or even recycled. In addition, we must avoid the problem of secondary environmental pollution brought about by processing, treating, and utilizing waste, so the technology we adopt should be sustainable.

This Special Issue on “The Science and Technology of Energy, Materials, and Environment: Convert Waste into Resources” covers the outstanding research being undertaken in this field. Conversion of waste into fuel, energy, and valuable materials through separation, transformation, and recycling is included. High-quality research articles, reviews, and short communications on the various aspects of waste treatment technology and management are brought together, covering both the current status and remaining challenges.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Yang Guo
Dr. Yixin Zhang
Prof. Dr. Shiling Yuan
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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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. Processes is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly 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 2400 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

  • resource recycling
  • waste treatment
  • waste management
  • advanced material
  • valuable metal extraction
  • catalyst
  • molecular simulation
  • sustainable energy production

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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11 pages, 1780 KiB  
Article
Production, Characterization Physical, Chemical, and Structural Analysis of Biochar Fines for Bio-Reinforcement in Composite Materials
by Josinaldo Dias, Amanda Conceição, Fabíola Martins Delatorre and Paula Siqueira
Processes 2025, 13(2), 504; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13020504 - 11 Feb 2025
Viewed by 762
Abstract
Several polymeric compounds are obtained from synthetic organic solids containing petrochemical derivatives. Biochar fines are considered waste and an alternative bio-reinforcement in composite materials, potentially serving as a possible substitute for non-renewable polymers based on petrochemical derivatives. In this context, the present study [...] Read more.
Several polymeric compounds are obtained from synthetic organic solids containing petrochemical derivatives. Biochar fines are considered waste and an alternative bio-reinforcement in composite materials, potentially serving as a possible substitute for non-renewable polymers based on petrochemical derivatives. In this context, the present study focuses on analyzing the properties of biochar fines obtained from the pyrolysis of Eucalyptus sp. biomass, aiming to support the use of this waste in the fabrication of a composite using biochar as a bio-reinforcement. The biochar was produced through pyrolysis in a muffle furnace at a final temperature of 800 °C, with a heating rate of 5 °C min−1 and a residence time of 60 min. The characterization of the obtained fines involved proximate analysis, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results show that the material has a high fixed carbon content, high density, and good thermal resistance, making it stand out for use in composites. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Science and Technology of Energy, Materials, and Environment: Convert Waste into Resources)
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21 pages, 3410 KiB  
Article
Optimization of Biodiesel–Nanoparticle Blends for Enhanced Diesel Engine Performance and Emission Reduction
by Yasmeen A. Mikky, Ahmed A. Bhran, Reham Y. El-Araby, Adel M. A. Mohamed, Abdelrahman G. Gadallah and Abeer M. Shoaib
Processes 2024, 12(11), 2471; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr12112471 - 7 Nov 2024
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1565
Abstract
Biodiesel is a promising alternative fuel that represents a sustainable and environmentally friendly energy source. Due to its complete carbon cycle, it reduces dependence on fossil fuels and lowers greenhouse gas emissions. However, the use of biodiesel in diesel engines is associated with [...] Read more.
Biodiesel is a promising alternative fuel that represents a sustainable and environmentally friendly energy source. Due to its complete carbon cycle, it reduces dependence on fossil fuels and lowers greenhouse gas emissions. However, the use of biodiesel in diesel engines is associated with several challenges, including an increase in nitrogen oxide and particulate emissions, incompatibility with cold climates, and lower calorific value. By using nanoparticles as fuel additives, there is a potential to improve the properties of biodiesel and address its shortcomings. In this work, the characteristics of biodiesel derived from waste cooking oil have been enhanced using nanoparticle additives, which result in the usage of a higher percentage of the biodiesel in diesel engines. Nanoparticles of cerium oxide, silicon dioxide, and aluminum oxide have been investigated in different concentrations as biodiesel additives. Two mathematical models are introduced in this work and solved by LINGO optimization software (version 18); the first one seeks to predict the characteristics of biodiesel with nanoparticles in any blend of diesel–biodiesel–nanoparticles, while the second model aims to maximize the biodiesel ratio in a biodiesel–diesel–nanoparticles blend. The application of the combined two models aids in the selection of the optimal nanomaterial that improves the properties of biodiesel and permits an increase in the biodiesel mixing ratio in the fuel. The results show that the best nanoparticle type is cerium oxide at a concentration of 100 ppm, and the optimal mixing ratio of biodiesel blended with CeO2 nanoparticles is 24.892%. An unmodified diesel engine is operated and evaluated with the optimum blend (24.892% biodiesel + 75.108% petrol diesel + 100 ppm CeO2 nanoparticles). It is found that significant improvements in engine performance and emissions compared with the conventional diesel are achieved. The reductions in brake-specific fuel consumption (BSFC), smoke opacity, and carbon monoxide emissions are 24%, 52%, and 30%, respectively. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Science and Technology of Energy, Materials, and Environment: Convert Waste into Resources)
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Review

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24 pages, 4586 KiB  
Review
Recycling of Surface-Functionalized Nanoparticles—A Short Review
by Georgia Sourkouni, Christos Argirusis and Nikolaos Argirusis
Processes 2024, 12(11), 2354; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr12112354 - 27 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1416
Abstract
The present manuscript provides a comprehensive overview and partial analysis of both advanced and innovative recycling techniques for functionalized nanoparticles. Such methods are sieving techniques including filtration in different forms (e.g., ultrafiltration, diafiltration), centrifugation, and chromatography. Further microfluidics, solvent extraction, and evaporation as [...] Read more.
The present manuscript provides a comprehensive overview and partial analysis of both advanced and innovative recycling techniques for functionalized nanoparticles. Such methods are sieving techniques including filtration in different forms (e.g., ultrafiltration, diafiltration), centrifugation, and chromatography. Further microfluidics, solvent extraction, and evaporation as well as magnetic and electric field-assisted methods are presented followed by more conventional methods such as precipitation, coagulation, and ζ-potential changes. To facilitate future progress in nanotechnology recycling, it is necessary to provide improved and innovative production techniques across the whole life cycle of nanotechnology. This is analogous to any other methodology that is conceptualized during the initial phases. Furthermore, a diverse array of preparation methods for functionalized nanoparticles may be developed and implemented using various approaches depending on the evident use of the material. Further, the investigation of waste products containing nanoparticles is not yet possible to achieve an in-depth knowledge of this subject. Moreover, advanced technologies have the capacity to enable a more substantial future implementation of NM recycling for commercial use. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Science and Technology of Energy, Materials, and Environment: Convert Waste into Resources)
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