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Advanced Composites for Waste Valorization and Pollutant Degradation
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Dr. Iwona Kuzniarska-Biernacka
REQUIMTE/LAQV, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre s/n, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
Centro de Química Estrutural, Institute of Molecular Sciencies, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade Ciências, Universidade Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
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Advanced Composites for Waste Valorization and Pollutant Degradation

Abstract submission deadline
31 October 2025
Manuscript submission deadline
31 January 2026
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Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

The efficient treatment of water, air, and solid waste is vital to addressing global environmental challenges, particularly in relation to the management of emerging and persistent pollutants. The development of carbon-based materials, multicomponent composites, and other advanced composite materials derived from waste sources offers innovative, sustainable solutions, which align with “waste-to-value”, to foster the transition to a circular economy. This Topic focuses on transforming global waste streams—including biomass residues, industrial byproducts, and electronic waste—into functional materials for applications in both liquid and gaseous phases. These materials, such as carbon-based materials and hybrid composites, have demonstrated exceptional performance in adsorption, advanced oxidation, and catalytic processes. Their applications range from water treatment and the removal of contaminants of emerging concern to air purification and toxic gas degradation. We invite submissions on topics addressing the following:

  • Advanced composite materials for (photo)(electro)catalysis and (photo)Fenton processes;
  • Biomass valorization into adsorbents or catalysts;
  • Waste-derived materials for purification and pollutant degradation in aqueous or gaseous steams;
  • Adsorption and kinetic studies in liquid and gaseous phases;
  • Separation and purification technologies;
  • Sustainable approaches to pollutant remediation and resource recovery.

Join us in advancing cutting-edge materials for environmental sustainability and waste valorization.

Dr. Iwona Kuzniarska-Biernacka
Dr. Ana Sofia Mestre
Topic Editors

Keywords

  • advanced composite materials
  • waste valorization
  • biomass-derived materials
  • nanoporous carbon
  • circular economy
  • pollutant degradation
  • adsorption and catalysis
  • advanced oxidation processes
  • sustainable water and air treatment

Participating Journals

Journal Name Impact Factor CiteScore Launched Year First Decision (median) APC
Clean Technologies
cleantechnol 		4.1 8.3 2019 33.5 Days CHF 1600 Submit
Materials
materials 		3.1 6.4 2008 13.9 Days CHF 2600 Submit
Molecules
molecules 		4.2 8.6 1996 15.1 Days CHF 2700 Submit
Recycling
recycling 		4.6 8.9 2016 20.9 Days CHF 1800 Submit
Water
water 		3.0 6.0 2009 17.5 Days CHF 2600 Submit
Nanomaterials
nanomaterials 		4.4 9.2 2010 14.1 Days CHF 2400 Submit
Catalysts
catalysts 		3.8 7.6 2011 13.9 Days CHF 2200 Submit

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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31 pages, 5246 KiB  
Review
Recent Advances in PDI-Based Heterojunction Photocatalysts for the Degradation of Organic Pollutants and Environmental Remediation
by Xiaofang Song, Jiahui Lou, Yaqiong Huang and Yijiang Chen
Catalysts 2025, 15(6), 565; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal15060565 - 6 Jun 2025
Viewed by 290
Abstract
With the rapid advancement of industrialization, the adverse impacts of organic pollutants on the water environment of aquatic ecosystems have become increasingly concerning. Consequently, the development of efficient and environmentally friendly photocatalytic degradation technologies has attracted considerable research attention. Perylene diimide (PDI)-based heterojunction [...] Read more.
With the rapid advancement of industrialization, the adverse impacts of organic pollutants on the water environment of aquatic ecosystems have become increasingly concerning. Consequently, the development of efficient and environmentally friendly photocatalytic degradation technologies has attracted considerable research attention. Perylene diimide (PDI)-based heterojunction photocatalysts have demonstrated remarkable potential in degrading organic pollutants, attributed to their broad spectral response, high charge separation efficiency, and exceptional stability. In recent years, substantial progress has been achieved in the field of PDI-based heterojunction photocatalysts. This paper provides an in-depth review of the existing research on PDI-based heterojunction photocatalysts. Specifically, it elucidates the principles and types of heterojunction construction, as well as the design and synthesis strategies for PDI-based heterojunction photocatalysts. Furthermore, this paper provides a comprehensive summary of the latest advancements in performance optimization and catalytic mechanisms. Finally, the existing challenges and future prospects of PDI-based heterojunction photocatalytic materials are discussed, with the aim of offering innovative solutions for the purification of resource-oriented wastewater. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Advanced Composites for Waste Valorization and Pollutant Degradation)
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25 pages, 3484 KiB  
Article
Trimetallic Fe-Zn-Mn (Oxy)Hydroxide-Enhanced Coffee Biochar for Simultaneous Phosphate and Ammonium Recovery and Recycling
by Diana Guaya, Jhuliana Campoverde, Camilo Piedra and Alexis Debut
Nanomaterials 2025, 15(11), 849; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15110849 - 2 Jun 2025
Viewed by 322
Abstract
Excess phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) in wastewater contribute to eutrophication, driving the need for low–cost and sustainable recovery technologies. This study presents a novel adsorbent synthesized from spent coffee grounds biochar (CB) chemically modified with Mn2+/Zn2+/Fe3+ (oxy)hydroxide [...] Read more.
Excess phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) in wastewater contribute to eutrophication, driving the need for low–cost and sustainable recovery technologies. This study presents a novel adsorbent synthesized from spent coffee grounds biochar (CB) chemically modified with Mn2+/Zn2+/Fe3+ (oxy)hydroxide nanoparticles (CB–M) for simultaneous removal of phosphate and ammonium. Batch adsorption experiments using both synthetic solution and municipal wastewater were conducted to evaluate the material’s adsorption performance and practical applicability. Kinetic, isotherm, thermodynamic, and sequential extraction analyses revealed that CB–M achieved maximum phosphate adsorption capacities ranging from 42.6 to 72.0 mg PO43−·g−1 across temperatures of 20–33 °C, reducing effluent phosphate concentrations to below 0.01 mg·L−1. Ammonium removal was moderate, with capacities ranging between 2.8 and 2.95 mg NH4+·g−1. Thermodynamic analysis indicated that phosphate adsorption was spontaneous and endothermic, dominated by inner–sphere complexation, while ammonium uptake occurred primarily through weaker, reversible ion exchange mechanisms. Sequential extraction showed over 70% of adsorbed phosphate was associated with Fe-Mn-Zn phases, indicating the potential for use as a slow–release fertilizer. The CB–M retained structural integrity and exhibited partial desorption, supporting its reusability for nutrient recovery. Compared to other biochars, CB–M demonstrated superior phosphate selectivity at a neutral–pH, avoided the use of hazardous metals, and transformed coffee waste into a multifunctional material for wastewater treatment and soil amendment. These findings underscore the potential of CB–M as a circular economy solution for nutrient recovery without introducing secondary contamination. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Advanced Composites for Waste Valorization and Pollutant Degradation)
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