Search Results (657)

This study evaluates the effectiveness of various rejuvenating oils, including soybean oil (N-oil), waste frying oil (F-oil), byproduct oil (W-oil), and aromatic hydrocarbon oil (A-oil), in restoring aged asphalt coatings by reducing asphaltene flocculation and improving colloidal stability. The rejuvenators were incorporated into aged asphalt binder via direct mixing at controlled dosages. Their effects were assessed using microscopy, droplet diffusion analysis, rheological testing (DSR and BBR), and molecular dynamics simulations. The aim is to compare the compatibility, solubility behavior, and rejuvenation potential of plant-based and mineral-based oils. The results indicate that N-oil and F-oil promote asphaltene aggregation, which supports structural rebuilding. In contrast, A-oil and W-oil act as solvents that disperse asphaltenes. Among the tested oils, N-oil exhibited the best overall performance in enhancing flowability, low-temperature flexibility, and chemical compatibility. This study presents a novel method to evaluate rejuvenator effectiveness by quantifying colloidal stability through grayscale analysis of droplet diffusion patterns. This integrated approach offers both mechanistic insights and practical guidance for selecting bio-based rejuvenators in asphalt recycling. Full article

The rising demand for sustainable energy storage has fueled the development of green batteries as alternatives to conventional systems. However, a major research gap lies in the unified integration of environmentally friendly materials and processes across all battery components—electrodes, electrolytes, and separators—without compromising performance or scalability. This review addresses this gap by highlighting recent advances in eco-conscious battery technologies, focusing on green electrode fabrication using water-based methods, electrophoretic deposition, solvent-free dry-press coating, 3D printing, and biomass-derived materials. It also examines the shift toward safer electrolytes, including ionic liquids, deep eutectic solvents, water-based systems, and solid biopolymer matrices, which improve both environmental compatibility and safety. Additionally, biodegradable separators made from natural polymers such as cellulose and chitosan offer enhanced thermal stability and ecological benefits. The review emphasizes the importance of lifecycle considerations like recyclability and biodegradability, aligning battery design with circular economy principles. While significant progress has been made, challenges such as standardization, long-term stability, and industrial scalability remain. By identifying key strategies and future directions, this article contributes to the foundation for next-generation green batteries, promoting their adoption in environmentally sensitive applications ranging from wearable electronics to grid storage. Full article

This work presents the development of two vanillin-based vitrimer epoxy flax fibre-reinforced composites, with both the VER1-1-FFRC (a vitrimer-to-epoxy ratio of 1:1) and VER1-2-FFRC (a vitrimer-to-epoxy ratio of 1:2), via a vacuum-assisted resin infusion. The thermal and mechanical properties of the resulting vitrimer epoxy flax composites were characterised using thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and mechanical four-point bending tests, alongside studies of solvent resistance and chemical recyclability. Both the VER1-1-FFRC (degradation temperature T_deg of 377.0 °C) and VER1-2-FFRC (T_deg of 395.9 °C) exhibited relatively high thermal stability, which is comparable to the reference ER-FFRC (T_deg of 396.7 °C). The VER1-1-FFRC, VER1-2-FFRC, and ER-FFRC demonstrated glass transition temperatures T_g of 54.1 °C, 68.8 °C, and 83.4 °C, respectively. The low T_g of the vitrimer composite is due to the low crosslink density in the vitrimer epoxy resin. Particularly, the crosslinked density of the VER1-1-FFRC was measured to be 319.5 mol·m⁻³, which is lower than that obtained from the VER1-2-FFRC (434.7 mol·m⁻³) and ER-FFRC (442.9 mol·m⁻³). Furthermore, the mechanical properties of these composites are also affected by the low crosslink density. Indeed, the flexural strength of the VER1-1-FFRC was found to be 76.7 MPa, which was significantly lower than the VER1-2-FFRC (116.2 MPa) and the ER-FFRC (138.3 MPa). Despite their lower thermal and mechanical performance, these vitrimer composites offer promising recyclability and contribute to advancing sustainable composite materials. Full article

This study proposes a method for separating asphalt and aggregates in recycled asphalt pavement (RAP) materials using surfactants as solvents. This method utilizes surfactants to soften the asphalt by reducing its surface tension, separating the RAP clusters, and washing away the asphalt from the RAP. The wastewater is recycled during the emulsification–separation process without discharge. Factors affecting the separation effect of RAP, including the type of anionic surfactants, the surfactant concentration, the emulsion-to-RAP ratio, temperature, the rotation rate and time, and the RAP’s particle size, were investigated in depth, and the separation effect and its influence on the aggregate properties were evaluated. The experimental results indicate that when using the optimal process to mix and treat 13.2 mm and 9.5 mm RAP clusters, it is possible to achieve 100% separation of the coarse RAP above 4.75 mm, with a 64.58% reduction in the asphalt content. The angularity of the aggregate remained unchanged after separation. It was observed from scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images that the asphalt on the surface of the coarse aggregate had been eluted, and the morphology of the aggregate surface was completely exposed. This environmentally friendly separation method provides new possibilities for high-content RAP recycling in pavement engineering. Full article

To address the challenge of ultra-deep desulfurization in fuels, a series of heteropolyacid-based poly(ionic liquid) catalysts (C4-PIL@PW, C8-PIL@PW, and C16-PIL@PW) were synthesized via radical polymerization and anion exchange methods. The prepared catalysts were characterized via FT-IR, XRD pattern, and Raman spectroscopy. Optimal reaction parameters (e.g., temperature, catalyst dosage, and O/S molar ratio) were systematically investigated, as well as the catalytic mechanism. The typical sample C8-PIL@PW exhibited exceptional oxidative desulfurization (ODS) performance, achieving a sulfur removal of 99.2% for dibenzothiophene (DBT) without any organic solvent as extractant. Remarkably, the sulfur removal could still retain 89% after recycling five times without regeneration. This study provides a sustainable and high-efficiency catalyst for ODS, offering insights into fuel purification strategies. Full article

In the wake of global energy transition and the “dual-carbon” goal, the rapid growth of electric vehicles has posed challenges for large-scale lithium-ion battery decommissioning. Retired batteries exhibit dual attributes of strategic resources (cobalt/lithium concentrations several times higher than natural ores) and environmental risks (heavy metal pollution, electrolyte toxicity). This paper systematically reviews pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical recovery technologies, identifying bottlenecks: high energy/lithium loss in pyrometallurgy, and corrosion/cost/solvent regeneration issues in hydrometallurgy. To address these, an integrated recycling process is proposed: low-temperature physical separation (liquid nitrogen embrittlement grinding + froth flotation) for cathode–anode separation, mild roasting to convert lithium into water-soluble compounds for efficient metal oxide separation, stepwise alkaline precipitation for high-purity lithium salts, and co-precipitation synthesis of spherical hydroxide precursors followed by segmented sintering to regenerate LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ cathodes with morphology/electrochemical performance comparable to virgin materials. This low-temperature, precision-controlled methodology effectively addresses the energy-intensive, pollutive, and inefficient limitations inherent in conventional recycling processes. By offering an engineered solution for sustainable large-scale recycling and high-value regeneration of spent ternary lithium ion batteries (LIBs), this approach proves pivotal in advancing circular economy development within the renewable energy sector. Full article

Next-generation recycling technologies must be urgently innovated to tackle huge volumes of spent batteries, photovoltaic panels or printed circuit boards (WPCBs). Current e-waste recycling industrial technology is dominated by traditional recycling technologies. Herein, ionic liquids (ILs), deep eutectic solvents (DESs) and promising oxidizing additives that can overcome some traditional recycling methods of metal ions from e-waste, used in our works from last year, are presented. The unique chemical environments of ILs and DESs, with the application of low-temperature extraction procedures, are important environmental aspects known as “Green Methods”. A closed-loop system for recycling zinc and manganese from the “black mass” (BM) of waste, Zn-MnO₂ batteries, is presented. The leaching process achieves a high efficiency and distribution ratio using the composition of two solvents (Cyanex 272 + diethyl phosphite (DPh)) for Zn(II) extraction. High extraction efficiency with 100% zinc and manganese recovery is also achieved using DESs (cholinum chloride/lactic acid, 1:2, DES 1, and cholinum chloride/malonic acid, 1:1, DES 2). New, greener recycling approaches to metal extraction from the BM of spent Li-ion batteries are presented with ILs ([N_8,8,8,1][Cl], (Aliquat 336), [P_6,6,6,14][Cl], [P_6,6,6,14][SCN] and [Benzet][TCM]) eight DESs, Cyanex 272 and D2EHPA. A high extraction efficiency of Li(I) (41–92 wt%) and Ni(II) (37–52 wt%) using (Cyanex 272 + DPh) is obtained. The recovery of Ni(II) and Cd(II) from the BM of spent Ni-Cd batteries is also demonstrated. The extraction efficiency of DES 1 and DES 2, contrary to ILs ([P_6,6,6,14][Cl] and [P_6,6,6,14][SCN]), is at the level of 30 wt% for Ni(II) and 100 wt% for Cd(II). In this mini-review, the option to use ILs, DESs and Cyanex 272 for the recovery of valuable metals from end-of-life WPCBs is presented. Next-generation recycling technologies, in contrast to the extraction of metals from acidic leachate preceded by thermal pre-treatment or from solid material only after thermal pre-treatment, have been developed with ILs and DESs using the ABS method, as well as Cyanex 272 (only after the thermal pre-treatment of WPCBs), with a process efficiency of 60–100 wt%. In this process, four new ILs are used: didecyldimethylammonium propionate, [N_10,10,1,1][C₂H₅COO], didecylmethylammonium hydrogen sulphate, [N_10,10,1,H][HSO₄], didecyldimethylammonium dihydrogen phosphate, [N_10,10,1,1][H₂PO₄], and tetrabutylphosphonium dihydrogen phosphate, [P_4,4,4,4][H₂PO₄]. The extraction of Cu(II), Ag(I) and other metals such as Al(III), Fe(II) and Zn(II) from solid WPCBs is demonstrated. Various additives are used during the extraction processes. The Analyst 800 atomic absorption spectrometer (FAAS) is used for the determination of metal content in the solid BM. The ICP-OES method is used for metal analysis. The obtained results describe the possible application of ILs and DESs as environmental media for upcycling spent electronic wastes. Full article

The limited understanding of intermolecular interactions in deep eutectic solvents (DESs) has restricted their rational design and broader application. In this study, a series of hydrophobic DESs (HDESs) were prepared using lidocaine as the hydrogen bond acceptor and various carboxylic acids as hydrogen bond donors. Their physicochemical properties, including density, viscosity, and thermal stability, were systematically characterized. Interactions between components were evaluated through excess molar volume, viscosity deviation, and Grunberg–Nissan parameters. Strong hydrogen bonding between lidocaine and carboxylic acids was confirmed, which weakened with increasing alkyl chain length of the acids. Furthermore, as the acid content in the mixture increased, lidocaine’s ability to disrupt the intrinsic hydrogen-bonding network of the carboxylic acids decreased, thereby weakening the hydrogen bonding interactions between the components. The extraction capability of the HDESs for cobalt ions was evaluated in aqueous systems. Cobalt, a key material in lithium-ion batteries and advanced alloys, is in rising demand due to clean energy development. The lidocaine/decanoic acid (1:2) system exhibited nearly 100% extraction efficiency, surpassing conventional extractants. The hydrophobic nature of the HDESs facilitated effective phase separation and reduced solvent loss. These findings provide theoretical insights and design principles for developing high performance HDESs tailored for environmentally friendly metal recovery, particularly in battery recycling and treatment of industrial wastewater. Full article

Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) have emerged as prominent, environmentally benign substitutes for traditional solvents and catalysts in organic synthesis, notably in the synthesis of amines, pivotal structures in many industrial sectors. Their distinctive physicochemical attributes—including negligible volatility, exceptional thermal stability, and adjustable polarity—render them particularly advantageous for facilitating a broad spectrum of amination reactions. DESs can serve dually as reaction media and as intrinsic catalytic systems, accelerating reaction kinetics without necessitating supplementary catalysts or severe reaction conditions. They are especially efficacious in processes such as reductive amination, transamination, and multicomponent transformations, often affording superior yields and streamlining product isolation. The extensive hydrogen-bonding network intrinsic to DESs is believed to mediate crucial mechanistic steps, frequently obviating the requirement for external additives. Moreover, DESs are recyclable and exhibit compatibility with a diverse array of substrates, encompassing bio-derived and pharmaceutical intermediates. Full article

The widespread, worldwide utilisation of alkaline batteries requires development of proper recycling methods for used batteries, which are considered both as a secondary source of valuable metals and as a threat to the environment (may contain toxic substances). As many separation methods of metal ions from battery leachates are based on the use of substances that require complex synthesis or are not eco-safe, new materials suitable for this purpose are systematically sought. Therefore, in this study, the results of the separation of Ni(II), Zn(II) and Mn(II) ions from alkaline battery leachates using polymer materials (PMs) impregnated with easily synthesised, “green” deep eutectic solvents (DESs) or with ionic liquids (ILs) were presented. Additionally, PMs surface wettability were determined and their chemical compositions were analysed using the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy–attenuated total reflectance (FTIR–ATR) method. Among all PMs synthesised, materials containing DESs (composed of Aliquat 336 or Cyphos IL 101 and diacetamide) performed best in the separation of Ni(II) ions (removal of 93.42% and 80.86%). The application of DES-based PMs for the separation of metal ions from battery leachates is in line with green chemistry principles, and such materials can potentially be used in the processing of e-waste. Full article

The rapid growth in lithium-ion battery (LIB) demand has underscored the urgent need for sustainable recycling methods to recover critical metals such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, and manganese. Traditional pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical approaches often suffer from high energy consumption, environmental impact, and limited metal selectivity. As an emerging alternative, solvometallurgy, and in particular the use of low-melting mixtures solvents, including deep eutectic solvents, offers a low-temperature, tunable, and potentially more environmentally compatible pathway for black mass processing. This review presents a comprehensive assessment of the recent advances (2020–2025) in the application of LoMMSs for metal recovery from LCO and NCM cathodes, analyzing 71 reported systems across binary, ternary, hydrated, and non-ChCl-based solvent families. Extraction efficiencies, reaction kinetics, coordination mechanisms, and solvent recyclability are critically evaluated, highlighting how solvent structure influences performance and selectivity. Particular attention is given to the challenges of lithium recovery, solvent degradation, and environmental trade-offs such as energy usage, waste generation, and chemical stability. A comparative synthesis identifies the most promising systems based on their mechanistic behavior and industrial relevance. The future outlook emphasizes the need for greener formulations, enhanced lithium selectivity, and life-cycle integration to support circular economy goals in battery recycling. Full article

A tandem UV–Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy method was developed for the detection of Pd(II) ions in ethanol. The formation of a complex between Pd(II) ions and tropaeolin OO (TR OO) is accompanied by a change in the color of the solution and evolution of the characteristic UV–Vis as well as fluorescence spectra. The optimal detection conditions were achieved at a 3:1 (mL/mL) volume ratio of Pd(II) to TR OO, at 50 °C. UV–Vis spectroscopy enabled the detection of complex formation process over time, while fluorescence spectroscopy allowed a rapid response within 10 min. The limit of detection (LOD) of Pd(II) ions using UV–Vis spectrophotometry was 10 μmol/dm³ at 535 nm. For spectrofluorimetric detection, the LOD was 10 μmol/dm³, with an emission signal observed at 630 nm after 10 min. The kinetics studies showed a stepwise complex formation pathway, supported by DFT calculations. The performance of the method was verified in the presence of interfering metal ions, including Li(I), Na(I), Al(III), Ni(II), Mg(II), Ca(II), Co(II), and Zn(II), confirming its applicability in complex matrices. This approach provides efficient palladium determination in organic solvents, contributing to sustainable practices in metal recycling. Full article

Although oily sludge is an industrial waste and difficult to separate, its calorific value can still reach 6000 cal/g, thus possessing significant recycling value. This study compares various types of non-thermal plasma for refining oily sludge. The pre-treatment technology utilized filtration combined with solvent extraction to extract the oil portion from the oily sludge. Subsequently, two types of non-thermal plasma, DC streamer discharge and dielectric plasma discharge, were used to crack and activate the oily sludge under different operating conditions. The fuel compositions and properties of the refined fuel treated by two types of non-thermal plasma were compared. The elemental carbon and oxygen of the oily sludge after treatment in a direct DBD plasma reactor for 8 min were 1.96 wt.% less and 1.38 wt.% higher than those of commercial diesel. The research results indicate that the pre-treatment process can effectively improve the refined fuel properties. After pre-treatment, the calorific value of the primary product from the oily sludge can reach 10,598 cal/g. However, the carbon residue of the oily sludge after pre-treatment remained as high as 5.58 wt.%, which implied that further refining processes are required. The streamer discharge plasma reactor used a tungsten needle tip as a high-voltage electrode, leading to a rather small treated range. Corona discharge and arc formation are prone to being produced during the plasma action. Moreover, the addition of quartz glass beads can form a protruding area on the surface of the oily sludge, generating an increase in the reacting surface of the oily sludge, and hence an enhancement of treatment efficiency, in turn. The direct treatment of DBD plasma can thus have a wider and more uniform operating range of plasma generation and a superior efficiency of plasma reaction. Therefore, a direct DBD type of non-thermal equilibrium plasma reactor is preferable to treat oily sludge among those three types of plasma reactor designs. Additionally, when the plasma voltage is increased, it effectively enhances fuel properties. Full article

The implementation of theranostics in oncologic nuclear medicine has exhibited immense potential in improving patient outcomes in prostate cancer with the implementation of [⁶⁸Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET and [¹⁷⁷Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 into clinical practice. However, the correlation between radiopharmaceutical biodistributions seen with [⁶⁸Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET imaging and downstream [¹⁷⁷Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 therapy remains imperfect. This suggests that prostate cancer theranostics could potentially be further refined through the implementation of true theranostics, tandem pairs of diagnostic and therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals that utilize the same ligand and element, thus yielding identical pharmacokinetics. The radioscandiums are one such group of true theranostic radiopharmaceuticals. The radioscandiums consist of two β+ emitting scandium isotopes (⁴³Sc/⁴⁴Sc), as well as a β⁻ emitting therapeutic isotope (⁴⁷Sc), which can all conjugate with PSMA-targeting PSMA-617. This potential has led to extensive investigations into the production of the radioscandiums as well as pre-clinical assessments with several ligands; however, there is a lack of literature extensively describing the complete synthesis of scandium radiopharmaceuticals. which therefore limits the accessibility of radioscandium research in theranostics. As such, this work aims to present an easily translatable protocol for the synthesis of [⁴³Sc]Sc-PSMA-617 from a [⁴²Ca]CaCO₃ starting material, including target formation, nuclear production via ⁴²Ca(d,n)⁴³Sc reaction, chemical separation, radiolabeling, solvent reformulation, and target recycling. Full article

This study presents a sustainable, environmentally friendly synthetic route for the production of key intermediates in losartan using palladium nanoparticles (PdNPs) derived from a brown seaweed, Sargassum incisifolium, as a recyclable nanocatalyst. A key intermediate, biaryl, was synthesized with an excellent yield (98%) via Suzuki–Miyaura coupling between 2-bromobenzonitrile and 4-methylphenylboronic acid, catalyzed using bio-derived PdNPs under mild conditions. Subsequent bromination using N-bromosuccinimide (NBS) under LED light, followed by imidazole coupling and tetrazole ring formation, allowed for the production of losartan with an overall yield of 27%. The PdNP catalyst exhibited high stability and recyclability, as well as strong catalytic activity, even at lower loadings, and nitrosamine formation was not detected. While the overall yield was lower than that of traditional industrial methods, this was due to the deliberate avoidance of the use of toxic reagents, hazardous solvents, and protection/deprotection steps commonly used in conventional routes. This trade-off marks a shift in pharmaceutical process development, where environmental and safety considerations are increasingly prioritized in line with green chemistry and regulatory frameworks. This study provides a foundation for green scaling up strategies, incorporating sustainability principles into drug synthesis. Full article