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Non-enzymatic electrochemical blood glucose sensors often suffer from issues such as requiring an alkaline environment, limited monitoring range, and poor anti-interference properties. Carbon substrates have been demonstrated to improve the performance of non-enzymatic sensors, but complex and energy-consuming manufacturing processes restrict their use. Herein, a simple and green approach for the preparation of 3D porous Au/Au-Pt networks (PAAPNs) is proposed using tissue paper for recycling as the nanomaterial substrate to deposit Au-Pt bimetallic nanoparticles. The unique structure of the PAAPNs sensor allows for low-potential operation (-1.0 V) with a wide monitoring range (-0.25 to 36 mM) in a neutral environment. Moreover, the sensor exhibited excellent selectivity (<10% response of interference) even without the use of an anti-interference outer membrane. Further investigation using density functional theory (DFT) simulation revealed the synergistic effect between Au and Pt in promoting glucose oxidation. Overall, this work provides a simple and low-carbon footprint method for creating carbon substrates from tissue paper for recycling, offering new opportunities for fabricating novel value-added nanomaterials for medical sensing applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Petroleum-based plastics are useful, but they pose a huge threat to the environment and human health. The development of sustainable cellulose paper materials with excellent mechanical and water-resistance properties to replace plastics is highly desirable but also challenging. Herein, we report a new kind of rosin-based modifier synthesized from fully hydrogenated rosin and (3-glycidoxypropyl)triethoxysilane, which can covalently bind with cellulose fiber networks to improve the hydrophobicity and weaken the capillarity of cellulose paper. The rosin-grafted cellulose composite paper shows a unique combination of water resistance (water absorption of 19.2% and 37.9% in 25 and 90 °C water, respectively) and high strength (tensile strength of 47.9 MPa and Young's modulus of 2.32 GPa). Moreover, the rosin-grafted cellulose composite paper can be completely degraded when buried in soil for up to 100 days, and it can be recycled when treated with an alkali. These impressive performances make rosin-grafted cellulose composite paper a promising eco-friendly alternative material to replace plastics in straws, boxes, cups, bags and so on. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Waterproof coating is necessary for paper-based packaging materials, especially as a plastic substitute in single-use applications. Currently, most paper-based packaging employs hazardous fluorocarbon coatings or other petroleum-based additives, which has caused a lot of concerns over safety. Herein, a novel edible waterproof coating was fabricated by a beeswax-in-water Pickering emulsion using hemicellulose-grafted-lauric acid (H-LA) micelles as nano-stabilizers. The fully biomass-based waterproof coating agent presented a uniform and stable water dispersion with a droplet size of around 1 μm. And compared with conventional surfactants, H-LA micelles stabilized at the oil–water interfaces and formed Pickering emulsions with enhanced stability. The Pickering emulsion was then applied as a coating of paper. The coated paper exhibited excellent water-resistance with a water contact angle of 130 ± 2.89° and an effective waterproof time of up to 6 h. The coated paper also showed good moisture barrier properties; the water vapor transmission rate was lower than 5.05 g mm m−2 day−1. Moreover, the waterproof coating was non-toxic, environmentally friendly and biocompatible, and could completely biodegrade in soil within 2 months. This work may provide an alternative solution for safe, cost-effective and sustainable paper-based packaging materials to replace traditional disposable plastics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current open-loop practices employed to render paper substrates water- and oil-repellent for packaging and non-packaging applications have generated ocean pollution and have placed daunting burdens on landfills. In this study, we report a green, unique and facile approach for the fabrication of grease- and water-resistant paper products with 100% recyclability of the paper pulp. Low surface energy polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) was grafted onto a biobased chitosan polymer via urea linkages to prepare the graft copolymer chitosan-graft-polydimethylsiloxane (chitosan-g-PDMS). Chitosan-g-PDMS was then applied as a coating onto an unbleached Kraft paper substrate from an aqueous solution. The coated paper substrates exhibited good hydrophobic properties with a water contact angle of 120.53 ± 0.96° and a Cobb 60 value of 9.89 ± 0.32 g m−2. The coated paper substrates also showed good oil-resistance as evident from the kit rating value of 11.7/12. The tensile strength, crushing resistance, bending stiffness, and internal tearing resistance of the paper before and after coating treatment was determined. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis was used to characterize changes in the porosity of the paper before and after the coating. The pulp recyclability of the coated paper was validated by subjecting the coated paper samples to repulping and washing treatment. This novel and practical approach can provide significant environmental benefits by offering plastic-free, fluorine-free and fully-recyclable water- and grease-resistant paper; thus promoting sustainability due to its unique closed-loop nature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In continuation of previously reported results, the ionic liquid 1,5-diazabicyclo[4.3.0]non-5-ene-1-ium acetate was also found to be a powerful non-derivatizing solvent for cellulosic waste such as paper and cardboard. The ionic liquid could dissolve all the present bio-polymers (cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin) in high concentrations, resulting in solutions with visco-elastic properties that were suitable for dry-jet wet fiber spinning. The cellulosic raw materials were refined gradually to identify the influence of residual components on the spinnability of the respective solution. Polymer degradation and losses in the spinning process could be avoided nearly entirely. With the exception of virtually unrefined cardboard, all the samples showed excellent spinnability, resulting in fibers with high tensile strength. Prototype textiles were produced to validate the quality of the fibers and demonstrate the possibility of using residual lignin in cardboard as a natural dye. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There has been a huge demand for low-cost, eco-friendly, flexible and wearable electronics which find applications in personal health monitoring. Flexible electronics based on plastic substrates have been extensively studied in this regard because of their versatility. However, their fabrication involves energy consuming complex procedures and processing of eco-unfriendly materials which limit their use to certain specific applications. Here we report the fabrication of a flexible all-carbon field effect transistor (FET) using a low-cost, recyclable and biodegradable cellulose paper as both the substrate and the dielectric and pencil graphite as the source, drain, channel and gate without using any expensive, toxic or non-biodegradable materials. The FET transfer characteristics show ambipolar behavior which can be utilized in analog electronics applications like rectifiers, mixers and frequency multipliers and its mobility was found to be very high compared to reduced graphene oxide based FETs. The FET was utilized as a strain sensor which shows excellent sensitivity for very low strains (of both tensile and compressive type) which is comparable to and even better than recently reported carbon nanotube and graphene based strain sensors. The sensitivity of the FET based strain sensor can be modulated by varying the gate voltage under strain. Furthermore, we investigated the performance of the sensor by integrating it with hand gloves to detect human motion. The results indicate that the sensor can be utilized in patient surveillance in healthcare and human–machine interface (HMI) applications. The successful fabrication of this paper based all-carbon transistor using only paper and pencil graphite and its application in human motion detection using strain sensing indicate that this approach can be used for developing highly scalable, low cost, low energy, flexible electronics for healthcare without using any sophisticated fabrication methods or toxic chemicals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are widely implemented to power portable electronic devices and are increasingly in demand for large-scale applications. One of the major obstacles for this technology is still the low cost-efficiency of its electrochemical active materials and production processes. In this work, we present a novel impregnation–carbothermal reduction method to generate a LiFePO4–carbon paper hybrid electrode, which doesn't require a metallic current collector, polymeric binder or conducting additives to function as a cathode material in a LIB system. A shell of LiFePO4 crystals was grown in situ on carbon fibres during the carbonization of microcrystalline cellulose. The LiFePO4–carbon paper electrode achieved an initial reversible areal capacity of 197 μA h cm−2 increasing to 222 μA h cm−2 after 500 cycles at a current density of 0.1 mA cm−2. The hybrid electrode also demonstrated a superior cycling performance for up to 1000 cycles. The free-standing electrode could be potentially applied for flexible lithium-ion batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polymers and surfactants are used in many technological and industrial applications such as the manufacture of functional materials and coatings, personal care and pharmaceutical products, food science, paints, anti-icing fluids, tertiary oil recovery and the paper industry. Polymer–surfactant mixtures are particularly important in shampoos and conditioners. However, as in almost every other industry over the past five or more decades, the performance of hair care formulations has been significantly improved by the use of petrochemical-derived ingredients. As a result, cosmetic formulations, and hair care formulations in particular, have been based primarily on polymers and surfactants that are neither renewable, nor derived from environmentally friendly processes, nor have a positive environmental impact. This contrasts with the extensive use of natural and renewable products, mainly plant extracts, in cosmetics in ancient times. Therefore, the substitution of currently used ingredients with others of natural origin has been a top priority for the cosmetic industry over the last two decades, and in order to achieve greater consumer acceptance, it is crucial to maintain and, where possible, improve the technical performance of such products. This paper describes the complexities and challenges of developing greener shampoo and conditioner ingredients and formulations to meet current and future needs, and outlines a methodological approach based on model hair surfaces and a selection of appropriate experimental and numerical techniques to achieve our goals. Some encouraging technical routes using biosurfactants, biopolymers and bio-based polymers are presented, along with the significant opportunity to obtain a wide range of green ingredients through molecular design and well-controlled biotechnological processes. Similar concerns apply to other cosmetic products such as waxes, fragrances, bleaching agents, etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a main stream of waste from the paper and pulp industry, paper sludge is regarded as a threat to environmental safety as most of it is disposed via landfill or incineration, which can cause severe soil, water or air pollution. However, alkaline paper sludge has the potential to be a catalyst in biomass pretreatment, and also contains a large amount of fiber that can be used as a feedstock for ethanol production. The dissolved lignin in alkaline pretreatment can be recovered as a good quality co-product such as lignin pellets. The ash in paper sludge can also be recovered to replace sand as a raw material in mortar production. However, the use of paper sludge for commercialized ethanol production is currently a challenge due to its low solid content and high pH. This paper therefore proposes a novel conceptual design for combining paper sludge and agricultural residues (e.g. rice straw in this study) to produce ethanol and other co-products. The net present value is used to assess the economic potential of two proposed process designs: (1) a current technology of turning C5 sugars into biogas; and (2) a prospective technology of co-fermenting both C5 and C6 sugars into ethanol. It is found that both approaches could be economically feasible, but at different scales of production. A sensitivity analysis is also conducted to investigate the effects of plant size, feedstock stream composition (the ratio between rice straw and paper sludge) and subsidies on the economic performance of the proposed projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The document is a contents list for the journal "Green Chemistry," published by the Royal Society of Chemistry. It highlights various articles and research papers related to sustainable chemistry and green technologies. Topics covered include chemical recycling of polyester textile wastes, carbon-based catalytic materials, solvent effects on carbohydrate transformation, and the future nickel metal supply for lithium-ion batteries. The journal aims to connect the global chemistry community and promote research in all areas of chemistry. This document is a list of papers published in the journal Green Chemistry. The papers cover a range of topics related to sustainable and environmentally friendly chemistry. Some of the topics include the synthesis of diisocyanates, development of organic solvent nanofiltration membranes, preparation of fluorescent nanomaterials, and liquid mining of lithium. The papers provide valuable research for library patrons interested in these specific areas of study. [Extracted from the article]

The document is a contents list for the journal "Green Chemistry," published by The Royal Society of Chemistry. It highlights the articles and research papers included in the issue, covering topics such as waste valorization, plasticizers, noble metal recovery, bio-upcycling, CO2 reduction, and seaweed-based polysaccharides. The journal aims to promote cutting-edge research for a greener and more sustainable future. The papers in this compilation cover a range of topics related to sustainable and environmentally friendly chemistry, providing insights into innovative and greener approaches to chemical processes. [Extracted from the article]

This review article provides a thorough overview of barrier coating materials that have been used in food packaging with a focus on biodegradable (bio-based or petroleum-based) materials, such as lipids, proteins, polysaccharides, agriculture waste and polyesters. The goal is to provide an opportunity to acknowledge progress made in this field, focusing on modifications made to coatings. These modifications aim to address the shortcomings of biodegradable substrates (either plastic or paper) and improve their performance, enabling them to compete with traditional petroleum-based food packaging materials. This includes their barrier against water vapor and oxygen, mechanical and surface characteristics (sealability and adhesion), as well as antimicrobial properties. The barrier of most biodegradable polymers underperforms in comparison with petroleum-based non-biodegradable polymers, which possess either high water vapor barrier or high oxygen barrier. Coating technology is a promising solution particularly in barrier improvement of biodegradable polymers. Currently, there are only metallized, or inorganic nanosheet coatings available for biodegradable films that meet food packaging requirements. There are some challenges in this field, for example, being able to retain the coating's biodegradability despite applied modifications to improve it's performance, the large-scale fabrication of biodegradable coatings, the coating's delamination and heat-sealability during service time, and the migration of the coating into the packaged food. Moreover, green chemistry and its sustainability needs in biodegradable polymeric coatings are also discussed regarding new ideas and possible directions for widespread application of coatings in food packaging. This is the first review that specifically summarizes biodegradable coatings on plastic and paper substrates with a focus on coating modifications to improve the performance of the base substrate to meet the required properties for food packaging applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Papermaking is a highly energy-consuming industry. The growth in paper demand will further intensify the need for energy and the stress of GHG emissions. Papermaking involves complex processing routes, and energy is required for collecting raw materials, producing chemicals, and pulp and papermaking. Previous investigations of energy consumption in the papermaking industry have focused primarily on the analysis of one single product or one single pathway, lacking a comprehensive and systematic comparison of various products and pathways. Herein, the results of a life cycle energy consumption analysis of major paper products in China using an extensive system boundary are presented. When 1 tonne of paper was produced in China in 2015, the maximum energy consumption was 38.17 GJ for tissue paper, with a minimum energy consumption of 15.90 GJ for corrugated medium. This study also predicts energy-related GHG emissions and a mitigation target in the papermaking industry in China by 2050. Although the energy consumption assumed to be distributed to the papermaking industry can meet its development requirements, the GHG emissions will exceed the mitigation target by about 101 Mt CO2 eq. in 2050 under current policy. The target can be achieved by changing the energy structure and promoting low-carbon technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A single-step protocol was developed for the hydrolytic hydrogenation of microcrystalline cellulose into sorbitol over commercial carbon-supported Ru, in the presence of gaseous CO2 as an acid source and molecular hydrogen as a reductant. Under these conditions, cellulose was first hydrolysed to glucose by reversibly formed carbonic acid in water and then instantaneously hydrogenated on Ru/C. By tuning the reaction parameters, such as temperature, time and the relative pressure of CO2 and hydrogen gas, cellulose was fully converted at 220 °C in 18 h under 30 and 40 bar of H2 and CO2, respectively, with a sorbitol yield of 81%. Blank experiments revealed that without a catalyst and hydrogen, the reaction exhibited <5% conversion and glucose was the only detected product when the reaction was performed under CO2 pressure. XRD measurements on CO2-treated cellulose surprisingly revealed no noticeable changes in the crystallinity index (<10% with respect to microcrystalline cellulose), suggesting that hydrolytic hydrogenation took place on crystalline, not amorphous, cellulose. Furthermore, not only several cellulosic feedstocks, including filter paper, cotton wool, and cotton fiber, but also typical cellulose-based wastes such as a cardboard pizza box were also tested and under the optimized conditions sorbitol was obtained with yields ranging from 56% up to 72% in all cases. No less significant was the Ru/C catalyst stability, which could be recycled at least six times without any noticeable activity loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The document is a contents list for the journal "Green Chemistry," published by the Royal Society of Chemistry. It features cutting-edge research on sustainable chemistry and a greener future. The contents list includes articles on topics such as electrosynthesis, sustainable chemical synthesis, corrosion science, lignin modification, and more. The journal aims to connect the world with the chemical sciences and invest profits back into the chemistry community. This document is a list of papers published in the journal Green Chemistry. The papers cover a range of topics related to sustainable and environmentally friendly chemistry. Some of the topics include the efficient fractionation of hemicellulose from hardwood pulp, the synthesis of fructose-based surfactants, and the electrochemical synthesis of formaldehyde. The papers provide valuable research for library patrons interested in these specific areas of study. [Extracted from the article]

This document is a contents list for the journal "Green Chemistry," published by the Royal Society of Chemistry. It features research papers on various topics related to sustainable chemistry, including photocatalytic upgrading of hydroxymethylfurfural, lignin extraction and nanodispersion, selenium-doped carbon materials, and the valorization of bio-renewable glycerol. The journal also includes tutorial reviews on topics such as Pickering emulsion-derived nano/microreactors and the iron ligand-to-metal charge transfer chemistry in water. Additionally, there are perspective papers, communications, and other research papers covering a range of subjects in green chemistry. The papers provide valuable insights into the development of greener and more sustainable chemical processes. [Extracted from the article]

The electrocatalytic hydrogenation of aromatic rings in benzoic acid derivatives has arisen as a notionally engaging substitute for thermal catalysis under mild conditions. However, the utilization of organic solvents and low faradaic efficiency are incompatible with the principles of green chemistry and energy conservation. Herein, bimetallic PtRu supported on carbon paper developed by co-electrodeposition with optimized atomic ratios maintains an inspiring high conversion of 92.9%, high selectivity of 100% and a high faradaic efficiency of 62.2% for the hydrogenation of benzoic acid to cyclohexanecarboxylic acid in an acidic aqueous electrolyte without external H2, which is the best result to date. The optimized electrocatalyst also exhibits outstanding stability and universality for the electrocatalytic hydrogenation of benzoic acid derivatives. In situ Raman results and theoretical calculations prove that the synergistic effect generated by Ru modifying the electronic structure of Pt simultaneously enhances the capture of benzoic acid molecules and interfacial active hydrogen species and lowers the reaction energy barrier. After adsorbing benzoic acid, more accumulation of electrons around the Ru atom reduces the electron density of phenyl, thereby activating the reaction. Meanwhile, the uniform alloy nanoclusters anchored to the carbon paper surface ensure highly efficient electronic transmission and high dispersion of active components, reducing excessive agglomeration. A proton-exchange membrane reactor is also used to certify the potential of the electrocatalytic hydrogenation of benzoic acid derivatives for large-scale application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wood bark is a structurally complex by-product of the pulp and paper industry, which focuses primarily on the valorization of structurally more regular wood xylem components. The aim of this study was the elucidation of the less valorised willow wood counterparts (whole bark, inner bark, sclerenchyma bundles, and parenchymatous tissues) by NMR spectroscopic techniques. This allowed a better understanding of the structural features of macromolecular components of bark (i.e. pectin, hemicellulose, and lignin), thus providing a base for a more rational design of the customized biochemical processes prior to chemical processing of bark. This crucial knowledge contributed to the creation of a protocol/decision tool to select tailored enzymes (discarding the slightest substrate binding) for the biological pre-treatment of bark to a state suitable for chemical pulping. Such a protocol/decision-making tool would significantly improve the efficiency of enzyme selection by 60–70% due to the specific catalytic activity of the enzymes involved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pulp and paper industry together with lignocellulosic biofuel production provides plentiful streams of lignin and lignin-derived molecules (LDMs) that currently remain underutilized. The heterogeneity and complexity of lignin along with the lack of convenient tools significantly hamper its utilization. Selective separation of these LDMs from streams using specific tools would allow the recovery of aromatic compounds, as well as facilitate biological processes aiming at lignin valorization. To this end, here we report the isolation and characterization of single-chain variable fragment (scFv) antibodies against ferulate, coumarate, and caffeate, which are the molecular representatives of LDMs. Binders for the target LDMs were enriched by interrogating a synthetic scFv library with the phage display technique. As a result, scFv binders specific against each of the target molecules were obtained with affinities in the micromolar range. The selectivity of scFvs towards specific LDMs was proved by recovering caffeate from simulated LDM solution, Kraft lignin, and rice straw hydrolysate samples. Further proof of concept studies with model compounds demonstrated the applicability of antibody-based binders as a detection tool for monitoring microbial LDM conversion. Overall, this study demonstrates the potential of scFv binders as a specific toolset for lignin compound recovery and analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent progress in portable and wearable electronics has promoted a growing demand for high-performance and flexible energy-storage devices that are abundant and affordable. Because reduced graphene oxide (rGO), originating from inexpensive graphite, serves as a higher-performance energy-storage electrode than conventional activated carbons and carbon nanotubes, research and development of rGO/polymer composite electrodes for flexible supercapacitors have become a center of attraction. However, the fabrication of rGO-based flexible electrodes frequently requires a long time with high-temperature treatment or toxic chemical treatment, resulting in the lack of scalability and eco-friendliness. Here we show a fast, scalable, and environment-compatible route to fabricate a high-performance rGO/cellulose paper supercapacitor electrode. Single-layer graphene oxide (GO) sheets and recycled waste pulp fibers were successfully fabricated into a paper composite by a well-established scalable papermaking process, followed by a room-temperature, additive-free, and millisecond-timescale flash reduction process. The as-prepared rGO/paper electrode had a high specific capacitance, up to 212 F g−1, for an all paper-based flexible supercapacitor, comparable to those of state-of-the-art rGO-based electrodes, while dramatically decreasing the reduction time of GO from the conventional hour timescale to milliseconds. This work will pave the way for green, flexible, and mass-producible energy-storage paper in future wearable electronics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The design of efficient and cost-effective electrocatalysts with steady capability has attracted much attention in the field of water splitting in recent years. In this paper, Ni2−xCoxP/CNFs (x = 0, 0.67, 1, 1.33 and 2), where the ultrafine Ni2−xCoxP nanoparticles are encapsulated in carbon nanofibers, are synthesized using a facile electrospinning method followed by thermal treatment. The space confinement by the carbon matrix with a high length-to-diameter ratio (>1000) and excellent conductivity produces ultrafine Ni2−xCoxP with abundant active sites. Moreover, engineering of Ni2−xCoxP/CNFs can induce electronic modulation and consequently optimize the adsorption of H on the electrocatalyst surface to promote HER performance, as well as to reduce the energy barrier of the potential-limiting step. The optimal Ni2−xCoxP/CNFs exhibit superior electrocatalytic performance with low overpotentials of about 271 mV for OER and about 118.76 mV for HER at 10 mA cm−2 with excellent long-term durability in 1.0 M KOH solutions, performing as one of the best non-noble-metal electrocatalysts so far. Furthermore, the two-electrode electrolyser delivers a high efficiency and remarkable long-term durability for overall water splitting. This work provides new insights into the development of nanofiber-structured electrocatalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reusing spent anodes is a pivotal step for recycling lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). However, it proves challenging to completely eliminate Cu impurities from spent graphite (SG), which hinders the effective recycling of spent anodes. In this paper, a straightforward air oxidation method is proposed to directly upgrade spent anodes into stable CuO/C anodes by harnessing the inherent Cu impurities in spent anodes. The air oxidation process not only repairs the SG to some extent but also generates uniformly dispersed CuO nanoparticles, which chemically bind with the repaired graphite (RG) through Cu–O–C bonds. The specific discharge capacity of the CuO/RG anode can reach as high as 647 mA h g−1 even after 500 cycles (at 372 mA g−1 ). In addition, this program is found to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by ∼80% compared to previously reported CuO/C production programs. Clearly, this approach provides a new direction for large-scale recycling of spent LIBs and low-cost production of high-performance CuO/C anodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports an innovative work on the green production of furfural using a covalent organic framework (COF), thereby expanding the range of catalysts in the furfural manufacturing industry and achieving efficient production of furfural from sustainable biomass-derived sugars. The research results will provide a theoretical basis for the green and sustainable production of furfural. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, poly(ionic liquid)s (PILs) have emerged as a family of polymeric materials which are being increasingly investigated for interdisciplinary applications. Their high electrical conductivity, excellent thermal/mechanical stability, low vapor pressure, and easy processibility render PILs exceptionally attractive as versatile platforms for green chemistry. Recent decades have witnessed fruitful efforts devoted to the development of PIL-based green chemistry platforms, achieving significant discoveries that will unfold their uniqueness in catalysis, separation, sensors, electrolyte, and functional materials. However, few review papers offer comprehensive discussion on PILs' application in the green chemistry field. In this review, we initially introduce the structure and types of PILs, which is followed by a systematical summary of the synthesis of PILs in terms of direct polymerization of monomer, polymerization after monomer modification, and modification of polymers. Furthermore, several aspects of the application of PILs related to green chemistry are highlighted, such as sensors, separation, catalysis, electrolytes for energy storage devices, and as versatile precursors yielding functional materials. Current challenges and corresponding research directions in PILs for green chemistry are clarified, to make PILs truly green platforms for existing technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fungi are a diverse group of organisms that play an essential role in the biosphere. They have a unique ability to produce a vast array of secondary metabolites, including enzymes that have important applications in various industries. Fungal enzymes have been utilized in many fields, such as food processing, textile, paper, and pulp industries, to name a few. In recent years, there has been growing interest in the use of fungal enzymes in the synthesis of pharmaceutical compounds due to their scalability, high catalytic activity, relatively low cost, and ability to catalyze a wide range of chemical reactions under mild reaction conditions making the overall process greener and sustainable. Fungi produce a variety of enzymes such as oxidoreductases, transferases, and hydrolases which can be used in the synthesis of specific compounds with required chemo-, regio-, and stereoselectivity. This paper discusses the role of fungal enzymes in the synthesis of various drugs, active pharmaceutical ingredients (API), and drug intermediates and their applications in the pharmaceutical industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The conversion of waste office paper (printed or photocopied) to bio-oil via low temperature (<200 °C) microwave-assisted pyrolysis, and its utilisation as an adhesive for aluminium-aluminium bonding are reported. The yields for the organic and aqueous phase bio-oil are 19% and 23%, respectively. The pyrolysis products were characterized by ICP-MS, ATR-IR, GC-MS and NMR to reveal broad categories of compounds indicative of sugars (carbohydrates), aromatics and carbonyl-containing moieties. Application of the organic phase bio-oil (70 mg) to Al plates (50 mm x 50 mm) followed by curing at different temperatures and time periods revealed that a maximum tensile strength of approximately 2300 N could be attained at 160 °C for 8 h cure. Also, at a fixed temperature, the tensile strength increased with increasing curing time. To gain an in-depth understanding of the adhesive properties of bio-oil, a liquid-liquid fractionation of the organic phase bio-oil was conducted. The 'acidic' fraction showed far better adhesion properties than the 'neutral' fraction with no bonding achieved for the aqueous fraction. A combination of the 'acidic' and 'neutral' fraction gave better adhesion, thus suggesting a possible synergistic or co-operative effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coatings industry is aiming to replace petrochemical-based binders in products such as paints and lacquers with bio-based alternatives. Native polysaccharide additives are already used, especially as adhesives, and here we show the use of oxidised dextran as a bio-based binder additive. Linear dextran with a molecular weight of 6 kDa was aerobically oxidised in water at the C3-position of its glucose units, catalysed by [(neocuproine)PdOAc]2(OTf)2. The resulting keto-dextran with different oxidation degrees was studied using adipic dihydrazide as a crosslinker in combination with the commercial petrochemicalbased binder Joncryl®. Coating experiments show that part of the Joncryl® can be replaced by ketodextran while maintaining the desired performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glycidyl-based chain extenders are broadly used as processing aids to enhance the physical properties of polyesters, but glycidyl-containing compounds have severe toxicity concerns. Reported herein are glycidyl-free chain extenders produced via the grafting of 9-(oxiran-2-yl)nonyl methacrylate (EAT) and 8-(3-octyloxiran-2-yl)octyl methacrylate (EAI) on biodegradable poly(e-caprolactone) (PCL). EAI and EAT were grafted onto PCL via free radical grafting using melt extrusion to produce PCL-epoxy-grafted PCL-g-EAI and PCL-g-EAT. The obtained PCL-g-EAI and PCL-g-EAT were characterized by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, intrinsic viscosity measurements, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and size exclusion chromatography (SEC). Using reactive melt extrusion, PCL-g-EAI and PCL-g-EAT were tested as potential chain extenders for poly(lactic acid) (PLA). PCL-g-EAI showed comparable or better mechanical properties than those of the commercial chain extender Joncryl ADR. A cytotoxicity assay has been conducted on PLA samples with the new chain extender and showed the absence of cytotoxicity in all samples. The outcomes reported in this paper offer new opportunities for the development of safer chain extenders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study shows a functional deep eutectic solvent (DES) employing choline chloride (ChCl) and glyoxylic acid (GA) for lignocellulose fractionation. This DES exhibited a higher pretreatment efficiency (92.15%) than that composed of ChCl and lactic acid (10.36%). Molecular dynamic (MD) simulations indicated that the ChCl : GA DES showed a higher total binding energy (ΔE) with lignin than the ChCl : LA DES, resulting in a higher dissolution of lignin. GA prevented lignin condensation during pretreatment. The stabilized lignin containing 69.39% β-O-4 linkages can be used for phenolic monomer production with a bio-oil yield of 59.60% and lignin-based sunscreen preparation with a SPF of 58.46. The cellulose residues with a mild pretreatment severity exhibited a high enzymatic saccharification yield of 91.99%. Meanwhile, an esterification reaction occurred between cellulose and GA during pretreatment. The inhibition of enzymatic hydrolysis and microbial growth enables the use of functional cellulose to produce antibacterial paper. Furthermore, 96.80% of the DES could be easily recycled and reused for biorefinery purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The document is a contents list for the journal "Green Chemistry," published by The Royal Society of Chemistry. It features a range of articles on topics related to sustainable chemistry, including reviews on hydrogenation of amides, manganese oxide-based catalysts, and the design of depolymerizable polymers. The journal also includes tutorial reviews on topics such as electroreductive upgradation of biomass and green synthesis of hypercrosslinked polymers. Additionally, there are perspective articles and communications on various research topics in the field of green chemistry. The papers cover a range of topics related to environmentally friendly and sustainable chemical processes, providing insights into the development of greener and more efficient chemical processes. [Extracted from the article]

2-Aminomethylpiperidine is an important organic compound, which is the basic raw material for the synthesis of flecainide acetate. In this paper, a new method for synthesizing 2-aminomethylpiperidine by selective hydrogenolysis of bio-renewable 2,5-bis(aminomethyl)furan was developed. The catalytic performance of Pt catalysts supported on different carriers (including γ-Al2O3, ZrO2, TiO2, H-ZSM-5) and several commercial hydrogenation catalysts was studied. It was found that the Pt/γ-Al2O3 catalyst showed the best performance. The effects of the preparation method, reduction temperature and reaction parameters on the catalytic performance of the Pt/γ-Al2O3 catalyst were studied. The results show that good Pt dispersion and more acidic sites favor the reactivity and selectivity of hydrogenolysis. The large size of Pt particles facilitates BAMF hydrogenation. The yield of 2-aminomethylpiperidine reached 72.0% at 140 °C and 1 MPa H2 in aqueous solution using direct hydrogen at 350 °C to reduce 2 wt% Pt/γ-Al2O3 catalyst. In addition, the reaction pathways of selective hydrogenolysis of 2,5-bis(aminomethyl)furan to 2-aminomethylpiperidine were proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the increasing use and the consequent retirement of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), there has been an upsurge in spent LIBs, posing significant challenges to energy, resources, and the environment, which has led to the necessity to recycle spent LIBs. For the recovery of valuable components in cathode materials, traditional hydrometallurgical and pyrometallurgical methods are not conducive to the sustainable development of the environment, making it crucial to explore lithium-ion battery (LIB) recovery technologies beyond traditional methods. This paper focuses on introducing intensification technologies that are beyond the traditional methods, including external field intensification technologies (in the fields of acoustics, optics, electricity, and magnetism), novel solvent-based intensification technologies, direct recovery technologies, and potential development technologies. From the perspective of process intensification, the process flow, principle, effect, and scope of application of various recovery technologies are systematically summarized. Furthermore, the advantages of these advanced recovery methods and the current challenges faced by them are discussed to propose the potential research direction of the recovery technology of lithium-ion battery cathode materials, which is of significant importance for the sustainable development of the global new energy industry, the maintenance of ecological balance, and the circular utilization of mineral resources, such as lithium, nickel, and cobalt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing green analytical approaches has become a crucial trend in green chemistry. These approaches encourage direct analysis to avoid any sample treatment that involves energy and reagent consumption or the generation of waste. In this study, a green sensitive analytical workflow was developed for the direct analysis of anionic compounds via a charge inversion strategy using matrix-assisted ionization and a miniature mass spectrometer. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are a representative category of emerging pollutants, were selected as model analytes for method development. An imidazolium-based germinal dicationic ionic liquid (DIL), 1,1-bis(3-methylimidazolium-1-yl) butylene difluoride ([C4(MIM)2]F2), was chosen as a charge donor to form positively charged complexes with the PFAS for mass spectrometry (MS) analysis. Without any sample treatment, 1 μL of sample was loaded on a paper strip, followed by the addition of a mixture of 3-nitrobenzonitrile and [C4(MIM)2]F2. The adduct complexes were analyzed using a miniature mass spectrometer with tandem MS capability. The signal intensity was enhanced by up to two orders of magnitude in positive ion mode compared to negative ion mode without a DIL. The developed protocol was validated and satisfactory sensitivity was obtained, with limits of detection and quantitation ranging from 5 to 10 μg L−1. Recoveries ranging from 86.6% to 106.3% were achieved, with relative standard deviations between 3.5% and 9.3%. As indicated by three typical green analytical chemistry metric tools, this analytical procedure had a high degree of greenness. The developed protocol was applied to the analysis of real environmental and municipal water samples, demonstrating good potential for the rapid on-site analysis of anionic compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the chemistry of green materials synthesized with supercritical fluids. First, the properties and some specific features of supercritical water are summarized. Then, supercritical hydrothermal synthesis of nanoparticles is explained, and various applications of green materials are described. The surface control of nanoparticles in supercritical water is also explained. Green processes involving chemical recycling of waste polymers and a combination of hydrothermal synthesis and supercritical water oxidation are also discussed. Finally, commercialization of supercritical water processes is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exploitation of hydrogen as an energy carrier requires the development of systems for its storage and delivery. Formic acid has been proposed as valuable hydrogen carrier compound, due to its relatively high hydrogen content (53 g L−1), the latter being easily and cleanly released in catalytic reactions under mild conditions (HCOOH → H2+ CO2). Ionic liquids are interesting solvents for homogeneous catalyzed formic acid decomposition systems as their extremely low volatility avoids solvent contamination of the produced hydrogen stream. In this paper an outstandingly simple, robust and active catalyst system is presented, namely RuCl3dissolved in 1-ethyl-2,3-dimethylimidazolium acetate (RuCl3/[EMMIM][OAc]). This system proved to be fully recyclable over 10 times. Turnover frequencies (TOF) of 150 h−1and 850 h−1were obtained at 80 °C and 120 °C, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) was used to extract components of interest from Scenedesmus dimorphus, a microalgae species, under varied algal harvesting and extraction conditions. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) was used to quantify the concentration of fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) and the FAME profile of transesterified lipids, phospholipids and pigments extracted under varied supercritical temperatures and pressures. The scCO2extraction results are compared with conventional solvent extraction to evaluate differences in the efficiency and nature of the extracted materials. Algae harvested by centrifugation (vs.lyophilization) demonstrated a similar extraction efficiency in scCO2, indicating potential energy benefits by avoiding conventional algal mass dehydration prior to extraction. Centrifuged algae and optimized extraction conditions (6000 psi; 100 °C) resulted in comparable FAME yields to conventional processes, as well as increased selectivity, reflected in the decreased pigment, nitrogen and phospholipid contamination of the FAME. Cell pre-treatments—sonication, microwave, bead beating and lyophilization—showed an enhancement in extraction yield in both conventional solvent and scCO2extraction, allowing for improved extraction efficiencies. This study suggests that scCO2, a green solvent, shows great potential for algal lipid extraction for the sustainable production of biodiesel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Experiments were conducted to study the effects of reaction conditions on the hydrolysis of miscanthus dissolved in 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([Emim][Cl]) catalyzed by H2SO4. It was determined that while there is a small co-inhibition effect associated with the simultaneous hydrolysis of the cellulosic and hemicellulosic portions of miscanthus, the largest rate decreases were observed for the hydrolysis of the hemicellulosic portion. This rate decrease was attributed to the chemical linkage between hemicellulose and lignin in miscanthus, which could be broken with chemical pretreatment. While chemical pretreatment increased the rate of the hydrolysis of the hemicellulosic component, delignification showed no further benefit. The rate of hydrolysis was determined to be first order in concentrations of β-1,4 glycosidic linkage and acid, and zero order in water concentration. The activation energy for the hydrolysis of the glycosidic linkages in the cellulosic and hemicellulosic components were determined to be 95 kJ mol−1and 114 kJ mol−1respectively. Progressive addition of water during the first hour of the reaction increased conversion and selectivity to saccharine products, while limiting dehydration of the sugars formed. The conversion of the cellulosic portion of miscanthus could be increased after the first hour of the reaction by increasing the reactor temperature. While miscanthus is only partially soluble in [Emim][Cl], it was found that the initial miscanthus loading could be increased to 9 wt% before significant yield decreases attributed to solubility limitations of the cellulosic component were observed. By proper adjustment of reaction conditions, it was possible to achieve yields of sugars approaching 84% from the cellulosic and hemicellulosic components of miscanthus, with minimal dehydration of the sugars to furans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new approach to improve the cellulase stability against 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([Bmim][Cl]), based on coating of immobilized enzyme particles with hydrophobic ILs, is proposed. The stability of commercial cellulase (Celluclast®), immobilized onto a polymeric support (Amberlite XAD4), was first studied in ten different ionic liquids (ILs) at 50 and 80 °C. Hydrophobic ILs clearly enhanced the enzyme thermal stability. Butyltrimethyl-ammonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([N1114][NTf2]) enhances half-life time of the immobilized enzyme at 50 °C up to 4 times, while [Bmim][Cl] behaved as a powerful enzyme deactivating agent. Thus, the stability of cellulase in hydrophobic IL/[Bmim][Cl] mixtures was greatly improved with respect to [Bmim][Cl] alone. A stabilized cellulase derivative obtained by coating immobilized enzyme particles with [N1114][NTf2], has been then successfully used for the saccharification of dissolved cellulose in [Bmim][Cl] (i.e. up to 50% hydrolysis in 24 h) at 50 °C and 1.5 w/v water content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Continuous-flow rhodium-catalysed hydroformylation of long chain alkenes has been achieved with selectivities to the desired linear aldehyde of 92% and minimum rhodium loss, using a xantphos-derived ligand attached to an imidazolium salt in a supercritical fluid–ionic liquid system. The effect of oxygen in the system can be ameliorated to some extent by adding a simple sulfonated triphenylphosphine to the catalytic solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present an ionic liquid (IL) strategy for the reactive dissolution of star anise seeds using different Brønsted-acidic ionic liquids as the solvent and reaction media towards the isolation of important pharmaceutical intermediates; this procedure provides a single-step, higher yielding and environmentally benign strategy towards the synthesis of the anti-influenza drug Tamiflu™. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ruthenium catalysed cross-metathesis of terpenoids with methyl acrylate and methyl methacrylate was used to prepare new terpenoids and to improve, to a large extent, the synthesis of known terpenoids. In particular, the cross-metathesis of mono-unsaturated terpenoids was very efficient whereas the transformation of terpenoids incorporating two double bonds was more difficult due to side reactions. The cross-metathesis reactions were carried out under environmentally friendly conditions either in dimethyl carbonate or under solvent-free conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Algae are being explored as a sustainable energy feedstock, having potential to reduce dependence on petrofuels and offset greenhouse gas emissions. Economic considerations and principles of green design suggest that if algae-to-fuel technology is to be successful, biofuels must be produced simultaneously with value-added co-products. At present, the algae industry is centered around a limited number of products, such as low-volume/high-value speciality nutrients. New products for medium- and high-volume markets will be needed as biomass production increases in scale. This Perspective highlights non-fuel applications of algal biomass that have received relatively little attention to date but are promising for future development. It is our goal to draw attention to some of the unique opportunities that algae present with respect to biochemical composition as compared to lignocellulosic energy crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ionic liquids (ILs) are widely discussed as alternative green solvents not only because of their unique chemical properties, but also because of their extremely low vapour pressure and – at least in some cases – relatively high thermal stability. Two complementary methods are analyzed and compared to determine both the rate constant of decomposition and the vapour pressure of four ILs: (1) thermogravimetrical analysis at ambient pressure (TGap) with an overflow of inert gases, and (2) high vacuum (HV) experiments with a magnetic suspension balance (MSB). At ambient pressure, [EMIM][MeSO3] and [EMIM][CF3SO3] decompose without a significant contribution of evaporation, which leads to the rate constant of thermal degradation. For both ILs, the vapour pressure can only be determined at HV by the MSB, because the evaporation rate is then higher than the decomposition rate. For the relatively volatile ILs [EMIM][NTf2] and [BMIM][NTf2] the vapour pressure can be derived both by the MSB at HV as well as by TGap. General strategies to determine the volatility and stability of ILs and criteria for the maximum operation temperature with regard to decomposition and evaporation are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mesoporous carbon nitrides (MCN) were prepared by a nano-casting method using mesoporous silica as a template with different carbon and nitrogen sources like melamine only (MS-MCN), urea-formaldehyde (UF-MCN) and melamine-glyoxal (MG-MCN). These mesoporous carbon nitride materials possess nitrogen moieties which behave like a CO2-philic surface facilitating oxidation of cyclic olefins by molecular oxygen in the co-presence of CO2below supercritical conditions. The co-presence of CO2augmented the conversions of cyclic olefins at low pressures of CO2, depicting a promotional effect. Approaches towards quantification of promotional effects and insights into the promotional aspects have been studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of hydrophilic N,N-dimethylpyrrolidinium- and N,N-dimethylpiperidinium-based ionic liquids (ILs) have been prepared and applied as reaction media in the Wacker oxidation of styrene by hydrogen peroxide using PdCl2as the catalyst. The efficiency of these ILs was compared with hydrophilic and hydrophobic imidazolium systems (including those with nitrile functionalities). The nature of the ionic liquid strongly influences the product distribution. In particular, in hydrophobic ILs, relevant amounts of 1,3-diphenyl-1-butene arising from styrene dimerization were detected, in addition to the expected phenylmethylketone. The formation of 1,3-diphenyl-1-butene may be attributed to the formation of Pd(0) species from “ClPdOH” (probably formed during the Wacker process) in a side-reaction. Consequently, the ability of the IL to favor or disfavor the reoxidation of “ClPdOH” to “ClPdOOH” by hydrogen peroxide, giving an homogeneous phase or a biphasic system, appears to be the main factor affecting selectivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Academic research in the area of green solvents is focused on neither the industries that use solvents most nor the types of solvents that the research community believes have the best hope of reducing solvent-related environmental damage. Those of us who are primarily motivated by a desire to reduce such damage would do well to look at the major uses of solvents, to determine the problems that currently make those applications less-than-green and focus our research efforts on potential solutions to those problems. As a contribution to such efforts, I present four grand challenges in the field of green solvents: finding a sufficient range of green solvents, recognizing whether a solvent is actually green, finding an easily-removable polar aprotic solvent and eliminating distillation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The continuous biocatalytic synthesis of (R)-2-octanol carried out in an enzyme membrane reactor showed an excellent process stability of the biocatalysts, resulting in a turnover number of 15 million for the applied alcohol dehydrogenase. Utilisation of the ionic liquid AMMOENG™ 101 as a feasible cosolvent increased substrate concentration, and improved space time yields and turnover numbers of the cofactor by factors of 3 and 6, respectively. Moreover, 80% less waste was generated, while producing the same amount of product. Integrated product separation was realized viasolid phase extraction. Extraction of the applied solid phase with supercritical carbon dioxide allowed more than 30 reuses of the solid phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

“The best catalyst is no catalyst.” With growing public concern over global warming and the amount of greenhouse gases, it is important to reduce the amount of chemicals and eliminate waste, to obtain better results in a simple, selective, safe, and environmentally benign fashion compared to conventional tedious chemical synthesis. Herein, we disclose an environmentally benign, rapid, catalyst/promoter/coupling reagent-free cyclization procedure of free amino acids to furnish exclusively cyclic dipeptides (2,5-diketopiperazines, DKPs) in excellent or even quantitative yield, along with their solid state self-assembling properties. This process is extremely simple and highly efficient with little or no traditional synthetic skills and without any chromatographic purification. Synthesis of structurally diverse DKPs has been achieved with a dramatic decrease in the reaction time, the amount/number of solvents used, a significant increase in the yield and nearly complete elimination of waste. As a result, this is an excellent example for the environmentally benign, clean and green chemistry concept. The most exciting outcome of our investigation is an unusual case of chiral self-recognition encountered upon the cyclization of rac-pipecolic acid, which resulted in the formation of the meso-product exclusively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Concrete production is a large scale process that involves high energy consumption. In order to increase the sustainability of this process, the reduction of energy input is necessary. Bio-glycerol was demonstrated to be a highly efficient renewable-based additive in the grinding process for concrete production and helped reduce energy costs and improve the quality of the resulting product. In order to understand its excellent aiding properties, the interaction of glycerol with cement clinkers was investigated; both chemical and physical interactions were taken into account. The results of this investigation points to surface tension modification of the clinker particles as one of the main effects of bio-glycerol addition during the grinding process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study describes the first-time usage of an isolated thermostable Baeyer–Villiger monooxygenase (phenylacetone monooxygenase, PAMO) in the presence of ionic liquids. The stability, activity and selectivity of PAMO as an oxidative enzyme in the presence of different ionic liquids were studied. This revealed that the addition of some specific ionic liquids, such Ammoeng™ 102 and [bmim]MeSO4, can significantly enhance the E-value in the oxidation of racemic benzylketones. Moreover, the use of ionic liquids increases the optimal substrate concentration for performing Baeyer–Villiger oxidation, thereby extending the biocatalytic repertoire of PAMO for synthetic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]