New Advances in Absorptive/Adsorptive, Extractive, and Catalytic Conversion Strategies for Pollutant Removal and Resource Reclamation

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8 May 2027

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8 July 2027

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Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

In recent years, growing ecological and environmental challenges, including the intensification of the global greenhouse effect and the increasing frequency of extreme weather events, have highlighted the urgent need for advanced and sustainable technologies for pollutant removal and resource reclamation. In this context, absorptive/adsorptive, extraction, and catalytic conversion strategies have attracted increasing attention due to their high efficiency, selectivity, and compatibility with the principles of green chemistry.

The aim of this Topic is to publish high-quality research on the absorption/adsorption, extraction, and catalytic conversion of pollutants for their removal, transformation, and valorization, with the goal of recovering useful chemicals, materials, or energy resources. Particular emphasis is placed on studies that support the development of a circular economy and follow the twelve principles of green chemistry.

This Topic covers a broad range of research areas, including scalable and energy-efficient processes, green and continuous production systems, high-performance separation and extraction technologies, catalytic transformation pathways, impact assessment studies, efficient recycling, and integrated remediation strategies. Contributions related to gaseous, aqueous, and solid pollutants are all welcome. Through these efforts, this Topic aims to promote the scientific utilization and effective mitigation of pollutants, protect ecological environments and human health, ensure industrial safety, and advance low-cost and sustainable solutions.

We welcome innovative and cutting-edge contributions, and hope that this Topic will serve as a valuable platform for academic exchange and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Prof. Dr. Rui Wang
Dr. Xinpeng Liu
Dr. Yunqian Ma
Prof. Dr. Kai Zhang
Dr. Mahshab Sheraz
Topic Editors

Keywords

Participating Journals

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Environments environments	4.3	5.7	2014	18.6 Days	CHF 1800	Submit
Processes processes	3.4	5.7	2013	14.7 Days	CHF 2400	Submit
Sci sci	4.1	5.4	2019	28.2 Days	CHF 1400	Submit
Separations separations	3.5	6.4	2014	15.1 Days	CHF 2600	Submit
Sustainability sustainability	4.1	8.9	2009	16.9 Days	CHF 2400	Submit

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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All Processes Separations Sustainability Environments Sci

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33 pages, 22493 KB  

Open AccessArticle

Application of a Biosurfactant from Starmerella bombicola ATCC 22214 for the Removal of Hydrophobic Compounds from Contaminated Surfaces

by Kaio Wêdann de Oliveira, Gleice Paula de Araújo, Yslla Emanuelly S. Faccioli, Attilio Converti, Rita de Cássia F. Soares da Silva and Leonie A. Sarubbo

Sci 2026, 8(10), 268; https://doi.org/10.3390/sci8100268 - 28 Sep 2026

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Abstract

Petroleum-derived hydrophobic pollutants represent a persistent environmental concern, highlighting the need for sustainable and efficient remediation technologies. In this study, a biosurfactant produced by the yeast Starmerella bombicola ATCC 22214 using glucose and glycerol as carbon sources was characterized and evaluated for the [...] Read more.

Petroleum-derived hydrophobic pollutants represent a persistent environmental concern, highlighting the need for sustainable and efficient remediation technologies. In this study, a biosurfactant produced by the yeast Starmerella bombicola ATCC 22214 using glucose and glycerol as carbon sources was characterized and evaluated for the removal of hydrophobic contaminants from different surfaces. Ionic-charge analysis indicated an anionic biosurfactant, while FTIR and ¹H/¹³C NMR analyses revealed spectral characteristics consistent with sophorolipid-type glycolipids, including a polar carbohydrate moiety associated with sophorose, ester and carbonyl functionalities, and long fatty-acid-derived aliphatic chains. The biosurfactant maintained its surface activity during 120 days of storage under different preservation conditions, with surface tension values remaining at approximately 32 ± 2 mN/m. In the Allium cepa assay, no visible cytogenetic alterations were observed at concentrations of 0.2, 0.4, and 0.8 g/L. The biosurfactant showed maximum apparent removal values, calculated relative to the nominal oil mass applied, of up to 86.61% for used engine oil on porous rocks and 77.90% for OCB1 heavy oil on metal surfaces, while 84.00% removal was obtained for burnt engine oil from cotton fabric. These findings indicate that the biosurfactant produced by S. bombicola ATCC 22214 presents structural features consistent with a sophorolipid-type glycolipid, prolonged surface activity, no visible cytogenetic alterations under the conditions of the preliminary qualitative screening, and promising performance for the removal of petroleum-derived hydrophobic contaminants from different surfaces. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic New Advances in Absorptive/Adsorptive, Extractive, and Catalytic Conversion Strategies for Pollutant Removal and Resource Reclamation)

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18 pages, 6875 KB  

Open AccessArticle

Adsorption–Catalysis Dual-Function Nitrogen-Doped Carbon/CoFe₂O₄ Composite for Efficient Tetracycline Removal

by Xuekai Wang, Xiangwu Meng, Mengtian Zhang, Kai Li, Lichun Mao, Lu Zhong and Jianjun Li

Environments 2026, 13(8), 426; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments13080426 - 28 Jul 2026

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Abstract

Efficient removal of tetracycline (TC) from antibiotic-contaminated wastewater remains a significant challenge. In this study, a nitrogen-doped carbon modified cobalt ferrite (C@CoFe₂O₄, CF) composite was synthesized via a one-step hydrothermal method, and its adsorption–catalysis dual-function performance was systematically evaluated. [...] Read more.

Efficient removal of tetracycline (TC) from antibiotic-contaminated wastewater remains a significant challenge. In this study, a nitrogen-doped carbon modified cobalt ferrite (C@CoFe₂O₄, CF) composite was synthesized via a one-step hydrothermal method, and its adsorption–catalysis dual-function performance was systematically evaluated. Structural characterization revealed that CoFe₂O₄ nanoparticles were locally encapsulated by an N-doped carbonaceous layer, providing a high specific surface area and abundant nitrogen-containing active sites. Under optimized conditions, the CF-3/PMS system achieved 93.44% TC removal within 45 min, while CF-3 exhibited a maximum adsorption capacity of 486.5 mg·g⁻¹. Radical quenching experiments suggested that singlet oxygen (¹O₂) and superoxide radicals (O₂•⁻) played major roles in TC oxidation, while sulfate radicals (SO₄•⁻) and hydroxyl radicals (HO•) also contributed, indicating the coexistence of radical and non-radical oxidation pathways. TC adsorption was driven by surface complexation, π–π electron donor–acceptor interactions, and hydrogen bonding. The enhanced TC removal performance may arise from the cooperative contributions of N-containing carbon sites, accessible Co/Fe-containing regions, and interfacial electronic interactions, which promote TC enrichment and PMS-mediated oxidation. This work provides a promising strategy for designing bifunctional materials for antibiotic wastewater treatment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic New Advances in Absorptive/Adsorptive, Extractive, and Catalytic Conversion Strategies for Pollutant Removal and Resource Reclamation)

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26 pages, 2011 KB  

Open AccessReview

Zeolite-Based Adsorbents as Next-Generation Materials for Sustainable Lithium Recovery Technologies

by Md Razaul Karim and Hong Je Cho

Sustainability 2026, 18(14), 7101; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18147101 - 11 Jul 2026

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Abstract

The rapid growth of electric mobility, renewable-energy storage, and portable electronics has sharply increased global lithium demand. Conventional lithium extraction methods, including hard-rock mining and brine evaporation, are land-intensive, slow, water-consumptive, and carbon-intensive. Adsorption has therefore received substantial attention for lithium recovery, due [...] Read more.

The rapid growth of electric mobility, renewable-energy storage, and portable electronics has sharply increased global lithium demand. Conventional lithium extraction methods, including hard-rock mining and brine evaporation, are land-intensive, slow, water-consumptive, and carbon-intensive. Adsorption has therefore received substantial attention for lithium recovery, due to its simple operation, cost-effectiveness, and facile scalability. In this regard, zeolite-based adsorbents have emerged as promising next-generation materials, mainly because of their crystalline frameworks, tunable pore architectures, ion-exchange functionality, and exceptional thermal and chemical stability. Existing reviews on adsorption-based lithium recovery have predominantly focused on polymeric materials, ion-exchange resins, and lithium-ion sieves (including lithium manganese oxide-based, titanium-based, and aluminum hydroxide-based adsorbents). To fill this gap, we present a dedicated and comprehensive review of zeolite-based adsorbents for sustainable lithium recovery from non-conventional lithium resources such as brines, geothermal fluids, seawaters, and battery-recycling leachates. By systematically and rigorously analyzing existing studies on this topic, we identify five guiding design principles: (i) zeolite framework charge density, (ii) zeolite framework topology and pore architecture (iii) morphology (size and shape), (iv) zeolite-based hybrid materials, and (v) operational design parameters (e.g., pH and temperature). Each design element is discussed in depth to clarify how lithium adsorption capacity and selectivity, transport behavior, and adsorption mechanisms can be controlled across diverse feedstocks. We further discuss the advantages, limitations, and future research needs for zeolite-based lithium capture. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first review centered on zeolite-based materials for lithium recovery. The knowledge and insights provided here aim to drive researchers into advancing zeolite-based adsorbents toward sustainable, next-generation lithium recovery technologies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic New Advances in Absorptive/Adsorptive, Extractive, and Catalytic Conversion Strategies for Pollutant Removal and Resource Reclamation)

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