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Abstract Disposable bamboo chopsticks (DBCs) are difficult to recycle, which inevitably cause secondary pollution. Based on energy and environmental issues, we propose a facile strategy to fabricate floatable photocatalyst (fPC) coated onto DBCs, which can be flexibly used in water purification. The photocatalyst of titania and titanium carbide on bamboo (TiO2/TiC@b) was successfully constructed from TiC-Ti powders and DBCs using a coating technique followed heat treatment in carbon powder, and the fPC exhibited excellent photocatalytic activity under visible light irradation. The analysis results indicate that rutile TiO2 forms on TiC during heat treatment, achieving a low-density material with an average value of approximately 0.5233 g/cm3. The coatings of TiO2/TiC on the bamboo are firm and uniform, with a particle size of about 20–50 nm. XPS results show that a large amount of oxygen vacancies is generated, due to the reaction atmosphere of more carbon and less oxygen, further favoring to narrowing the band gap of TiO2. Furthermore, TiO2 formed on residual TiC would induce the formation of a heterojunction, which effectively inhibits the photogenerated electron–hole recombination via the charge transfer effect. Notably, the degradation of dye Rhodamine B (Rh.B) is 62.4% within 3 h, while a previous adsorption of 36.0% for 1 h. The excellent photocatalytic performance of TiO2/TiC@b can be attributed to the enhanced reaction at the water/air interface due to the reduced light loss in water, improved visible-light response, increased accessible area and charge transfer effect. Our findings show that the proposed strategy achieves a simple, low-cost, and mass-producible method to fabricate fPC onto the used DBCs, which is expected to applied in multiple fields, especially in waste recycling and water treatment.

Abstract Background Collagen extracted from fish body parts is a promising biological material. It has an important role in many pharmaceutical, medical applications and tissue engineering such as corneal regeneration and stromal replacement. The present work investigates a new trend to extract collagen from the fish cornea, as a prospected substituent of human corneal collagen by characterizing some biochemical and optical properties of the fish corneal collagen. Results Examination of the corneal tissue of Nile tilapia; Oreochromis niloticus was conducted using electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, UV–visible spectrophotometry, optical properties, and thermal properties. The fish were divided into 10 groups each of which consisted of 5 fish. 2 groups of fish were examined for each technique. Results indicated that the corneal layers of O. niloticus are thin at the center and thicker at the periphery with the stroma consisting of a triple helical structure collagen type I. The fish cornea showed very weak transmission at the UV regions (190 nm) and maximum transmission at the visible regions. The values of transmission (T), reflected light (R) and scattered light (S) were 2.685 mw, 100 × 10−3 mw at 45° and 40 × 10−3 mw, respectively. Consequently, the percentage of absorbed light is 21.76%. The denaturation temperature of the fish corneal stroma is 22.27 °C. Conclusions The method for obtaining fish collagen affects the specific properties of collagen and consequently its further uses as a potential biomedical substituent for mammalian collagen. Specification of the fish species and tissue type is crucial in identifying the quality as well as the physical and functional properties of the extracted collagen.

• Waste production from schools changes depending on the level of institutions. • High rate of positive answers but unsuccessful sorting indicate lack of practice. • Recycling capture rates do not differ significantly between school types. • There is a strong positive correlation between capture rates of some recyclables. • The success of recycling is higher if it is is supported with specific programmes. In this study, the waste generation at the educational institutes chosen from four different levels (kindergartens, primary, secondary and high schools) in Istanbul was measured on-site and the contents of the waste thrown into the recycling bins were determined to specify capture rates. Separation and weighing processes were performed at 16 spots in high schools, 12 spots in secondary schools, 7 spots in primary schools and 7 spots in kindergartens. A survey was conducted to determine the students' awareness of recycling in these schools. It was revealed that the wastes produced from educational institutes are organics (36.4 %), paper (24 %), plastics (14.4 %), glass (8.1 %), metals (4.8 %) and miscellaneous (12.3 %). The survey results indicate that 93 % of the participants think recycling is important, 71 % of them throw their waste into suitable waste bins and 59 % of them know the location of the recycling bins. At the primary school level, a very high rate of paper waste (92.3 %) was reported in plastic bins while plastic waste collected in these bins remained only 5.7 %. It was also seen that glass waste captured in glass bins and metal waste in metal bins remain very low rates (20.9 % and 29.2 %, respectively) at the secondary school level. At the high school level, it was determined that the most commonly captured wastes in glass, plastics and paper bins are glass (47.5 %), plastic (43.2 %) and paper (32.5 %), respectively. Correlation analyses indicated a high positive correlation (p < 0.05) between particular types of waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • 15 PFAS measured in mature food waste (FW) compost intended for land-application. • Composting increases concentrations of terminal PFAS likely to be regulated. • Food contact materials (FCMs) are the greatest source of PFAS in FW compost. • Source-separation of FCMs and FW is preferred to separation after co-disposal. Composting municipal food waste is a key strategy for beneficially reusing methane-producing waste that would otherwise occupy landfill space. However, land-applied compost can cycle per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) back into the food supply and the environment. We partnered with a pilot-scale windrow composting facility to investigate the sources and fate of 40 PFAS in food waste compost. A comparison of feedstock materials yielded concentrations of ∑PFAS under 1 ng g−1 in mulch and food waste and at 1380 ng g−1 in leachate from used compostable food contact materials. Concentrations of targeted ∑PFAS increased with compost maturity along the windrow (1.85–23.1 ng g−1) and in mature stockpiles of increasing curing age (12.6–84.3 ng g−1). Among 15 PFAS quantified in compost, short-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs) – C5 and C6 PFCAs in particular – led the increasing trend, suggesting biotransformation of precursor PFAS into these terminal PFAS through aerobic decomposition. Several precursor PFAS were also measured, including fluorotelomer carboxylic acids (FTCAs) and polyfluorinated phosphate diesters (PAPs). However, since most targeted analytical methods and proposed regulations prioritize terminal PFAS, testing fully matured compost would provide the most relevant snapshot of PFAS that could be land applied. In addition, removing co-disposed food contact materials from the FW feedstock onsite yielded only a 37 % reduction of PFAS loads in subsequent compost, likely due to PFAS leaching during co-disposal. Source-separation of food contact materials is currently the best management practice for meaningful reduction of PFAS in food waste composts intended for land application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this investigation, a geopolymer based on ceramic waste (CW) and granulated blast furnace slag (GBFS) was synthesized. To confer the geopolymer with self-cleaning functionality, a nano-SiO 2 -TiO 2 coating with hydrophobic and photocatalytic properties was applied onto the surface of CW-GBFS-based geopolymer. The effect of both the CW content and the alkali activator modulus (molar ratio of SiO 2 /Na 2 O) on the compressive strength of the geopolymer was evaluated. The highest compressive strength of 45.6 MPa was attained at 7 days with a composition containing 40 wt% of CW and an alkali activator modulus of 1.4. Furthermore, the geopolymer with the most desirable compressive strength was selected for the preparation of SiO 2 –TiO 2 /CW-GBFS-based geopolymer (ST/CGG). The effect of nano-SiO 2 -TiO 2 dosage on the self-cleaning performance of ST/CGG was explored. The self-cleaning surface of the ST/CGG had a maximum water contact angle of 118° when the addition of SiO 2 and TiO 2 was 5.8 wt%. Moreover, the surface of the ST/CGG underwent testing for methyl orange degradation, ultraviolet–visible diffuse reflectance spectral analysis, oleic acid decomposition, and bauxite residue removal, validating its superior photocatalytic self-cleaning efficacy. Overall, this work not only highlights the potential of ceramic waste utilization for geopolymers, but also provides a feasible strategy for developing functional geopolymers with self-cleaning ability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) with controlled porosity, high crystallinity, diverse designability and excellent stability are very attractive in metal-free heterogeneous photocatalysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) degradation. In order to construct the high optimal performance COFs under feasible and universal conditions, herein, the visible light-driven hollow COF TAPB-PDA (H-COF TAPB-PDA) microcapsule was designed by a facile dual-ligand regulated sacrificial template method. The H-COF TAPB-PDA microcapsule possesses improved surface area, high crystallinity, broad absorption range and high stability, which enables enhanced substrates and visible light adsorption, photogenerated electrons-holes separation and transfer, and facilitate the generation of reactive radicals. Importantly, it was found to be a highly efficient photocatalyst for toluene degradation under visible-light irradiation compared with the solid COF TAPB-PDA , and the degradation efficiency of toluene reached 91.8 % within 180 min with the conversion rate of CO 2 was 68.9 %. Additionally, the H-COF TAPB-PDA presented good recyclability and long-term stability after multiple photocatalytic reuses. Furthermore, the active sites of H-COF TAPB-PDA in photocatalytic degradation of toluene was proposed by XPS and DFT calculations, and the degradation pathway and mechanism was proposed and analyzed. The result presented great prospect of morphologic design of hollow COFs in metal-free heterogeneous photocatalysis for VOCs degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing use of nanomaterials in consumer products is expected to lead to environmental contamination sometime soon. As water pollution is a pressing issue that threatens human survival and impedes the promotion of human health, the search for adsorbents for removing newly identified contaminants from water has become a topic of intensive research. The challenges in the recyclability of contaminated water continue to campaign the development of highly reusable catalysts. Although exfoliated 2D MXene sheets have demonstrated the capability towards water purification, a significant challenge for removing some toxic organic molecules remains a challenge due to a need for metal-based catalytic properties owing to their rapid response. In the present study, we demonstrate the formation of hybrid structure AuNPs@MXene (Mo2CT x ) during the sensitive detection of Au nanoparticle through MXene sheets without any surface modification, and subsequently its applications as an efficient catalyst for the degradation of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP), methyl orange (MO), and methylene blue (MB). The hybrid structure (AuNPs@MXene) reveals remarkable reusability for up to eight consecutive cycles, with minimal reduction in catalytic efficiency and comparable apparent reaction rate constant (K app) values for 4-NP, MB, and MO, compared to other catalysts reported in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The connections between climate change, the environment, and mental health have been well documented by psychological research. However, the extent to which health service psychologists who work in clinical settings address these issues with clients is not well understood. Health service psychology trainees participated in an exploratory investigation of the predictors of ecotherapeutic intervention use in their clinical work. The significant predictors were trainees' environmental justice beliefs and the degree to which environmentalism issues were discussed in their training programs and supervision. However, social justice attitudes, along with biospheric values and environmental identity, were significant predictors of environmental justice beliefs. Biospheric values and environmental identity were also significant predictors of personal conservation behaviors, but personal behaviors did not predict professional attention to environmental issues. Implications for training are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biosorption mediated by peptides or proteins has emerged as an efficient and sustainable alternative for selective rare earth element (REE) recovery from waste streams, and will diversify REE supply while reducing the environmental burden. REE-binding peptides/proteins can be created and identified by using the state-of-the-art approaches, including phage display, rational design, proteomics, and homology modeling, and can be optimized by protein engineering for improved functionality and desirable properties. The activity of REE-binding peptides and proteins can be harnessed by engineering robust and reusable biomaterials for the selective recovery of REEs. The escalating global demand for rare earth elements (REEs) and the overabundance of REE-containing waste require innovative technologies for REE recovery from waste to achieve a sustainable supply of REEs while reducing the environmental burden. Biosorption mediated by peptides or proteins has emerged as a promising approach for selective REE recovery. To date, multiple peptides and proteins with high REE-binding affinity and selectivity have been discovered, and various strategies are being exploited to engineer robust and reusable biosorptive materials for selective REE recovery. This review highlights recent advances in discovering and engineering peptides and proteins for REE recovery. Future research prospects and challenges are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a new heterogeneous nanocatalyst Cu@Zeo-Arg was prepared by functionalizing NaY nanozeolite with arginine and then by immobilizing copper metal ions on its surface. The formation of the synthesized nanocatalyst has been thoroughly investigated and confirmed by various analyses such as TGA, FT-IR, CHN, BET, XRD, SEM, ICP, DLS, and EDS mapping. The prepared nanocatalyst has special advantages such as easy separation, high stability, recyclability, and reusability. Also, the catalyst was recycled and reused for up to seven consecutive runs without a noticeable decrease in activity. The nanocatalyst activity was investigated in synthesizing 2-amino-4H-pyrans. These compounds were synthesized in good to high yields (72–95%) in ethanol as a green solvent at room temperature within 1 h. The structure of the products was identified and confirmed by measuring the melting points and their 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and FT-IR spectral data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inexpensive and recyclable catalysts, waste regeneration, that utilize safe and available solvents are important factors in laboratory and industrial applications. On the other hand, biochar nanoparticles are new precursors for the solid phase of carbon materials with novel characteristics, which exists synthetically or naturally. Therefore in this work, biochar nanoparticles were prepared from the pyrolysis of biomass resulting from chicken manure. Therefore, it is a suitable method for biomass waste recycling. Then, the surface of biochar nanoparticles was modified by (3-aminoopropyl)trimethoxysilane in n-hexane for 24 h at 60 °C, which the modified biochar nanoparticles were named nPr-NH2@biochar. Next, the modified biochar nanoparticles were functionalized by di(pyridin-2-yl)methanone (DPMI) in ethanol at 80 °C for 24 h, and the functionalized biochar nanoparticles were named as DPMI@biochar. Finally, a new copper Schiff-base complex of di(pyridin-2-yl)methanimine (DPMI) was immobilized on the surface of functionalized biochar nanoparticles (Cu-DPMI@biochar). This biochar-based catalyst nanostructure (Cu-DPMI@biochar) was used as a practical and reusable catalyst in the homoselective synthesis of 5-substituted-1H-tetrazole compounds by [3 + 2] cycloaddition reaction of sodium azide and nitrile derivatives. This catalyst was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), wavelength-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (WDX), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), N2 adsorption/desorption isotherms, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) techniques. Cu-DPMI@biochar can be recovered and reused several times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing usage of composite materials due to their lightness and high strength came along with a problem which is the accumulating waste of this material. Recycling is one of the sustainable waste management methods for composites. However, recycling of composite materials is a complicated process due to the complex nature of these materials where reinforcement and matrix are different components with different characteristics. In the evaluation of recycling methods for thermoplastic composites, many factors such as environmental effects and economic efficiency are taken into consideration. In this study, mechanical recycling of carbon fiber polyetherketoneketone (CF/PEKK) thermoplastic composite is carried out to show the feasibility of recycling by comparing the recycled and unprocessed material in terms of mechanical and thermal properties. Waste CF/PEKK materials are shredded and consolidated in a press and samples taken from the final product to carry out mechanical and thermal tests such as tensile, three-point bending test, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Results indicate unprocessed thermoplastic composite shows 61% higher tensile strength and 79% fracture strength where recycled material shows a loss of 33% in flexural modulus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Towards the end of the 19th century and the early 20th century, France was the world's largest producer of antimony, especially due to the rich deposits in the Brioude‐Massiac area. Even though all the mining and smelting activities are long gone, there are still some remains of those activities. The most original of those is the use of roasting slags as aggregates in former plant walls or industrial building. They are macroscopically characterised by a black or red colour with a vesicular aspect similar to natural pozzolanas. Common petrography and mineralogy tools have been used to characterise those slags: optical mineralogy, scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM‐EDS) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD). To gain an insight into their mineral complexity, a QEMSCAN map has been produced. The mineralogy is typical of high‐temperature slags: cristobalite, quartz, mullite, fayalite‐forsterite series and spinel. The antimony content is quite high, up to seven percent, under the form of various antimony oxides and native antimony. LAY DESCRIPTION: In the Brioude‐Massiac area, France, antimony has been heavily mined at the end of the 19th century, giving rise to the generation of large amounts of wastes from the metallurgy of the ores. Those wastes (scoria and slags) have been used locally as aggregates to build walls. They consist of high‐temperature phases (SiO2 polymorphs: cristobalite and tridymite, dendritic spinel, glass) and illustrate an early example of the reuse of waste materials, nowadays termed as 'circular economy'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aluminosilicate solid waste, primarily comprising red mud, coal gangue, fly ash, and tailings, is characterized by high annual production, low comprehensive utilization rate, and significant environmental damage. Currently, there is an urgent need for effective methods to manage and valorize aluminosilicate solid wastes. Thermodynamic investigations enable the assessment of phase transition behaviors, process conditions (such as temperature and pressure), and the direction and feasibility of reactions. Moreover, thermodynamics can predict the composition of resulting products and reveal the reaction mechanisms. All the aforementioned issues are instrumental in refining solid waste treatment processes and achieving efficient use of resources. Therefore, to promote the application of aluminosilicate solid waste, this paper describes the predictive and guiding functions of thermodynamics in the utilization of solid waste, focusing on three aspects: composition design, ceramization, and process optimization. Additionally, current challenges and future trends are discussed herein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within the circular economy framework in Africa, sustainable waste management can contribute to improving the environment and creating green jobs. However, recycling activities are mostly carried out by informal workers, who are often forgotten in discussions about the circular economy. To ensure the development of a socially just circular economy, their voices must be heard and their needs accounted for. This study took place in Rwanda, a circular economy leader in Africa, and explored the experiences of workers engaged in biowaste recycling, with a particular focus on the distinctions between the experiences of female and male workers. We used photovoice as a methodology, allowing waste workers to visually report on the benefits and drawbacks of being involved in biowaste recycling. Seventeen waste recyclers took pictures representing different working experiences, which was followed by individual in-depth interviews to elicit the meaning behind each picture. Data analysis consisted of a reflexive thematic content analysis of interview transcripts and a participatory data analysis with the workers. The results show that the workers valued their jobs for their social relations at work, being responsible for a task, being productive, and generating savings. Workers negatively highlighted the health risks associated with waste sorting, difficult working conditions, and low salaries. We found gendered differences in workers' marital status and access to paid work opportunities. Although working in waste recycling encompasses occupational risks, this photovoice study highlights that access to work improves workers' relative well-being and that this type of circular economy can help create meaningful jobs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To help enterprises improve their sustainable development as well as the competition ability in their supply chain, a research is conducted on the efficiency of the supply chain embedded with artificial intelligence (AI) and issues in sustainable development. At first, the present work determines the connection between efficiency of the supply chain with the environmental performance. Then, it illustrates how the efficiency of the AI supply chain influences the environment of enterprises. Next, an evaluation is made on the influence of AI supply chain efficiency on the social sustainable development. In the empirical analysis, the data of Global Competitiveness Report and Environmental Performance Index Report from 2008 to 2017 are collected. Descriptive statistics and correlation analysis are used to determine the relationship between AI supply chain efficiency and sustainable development and innovation. The Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient (PPMCC) has been computed to ascertain if there are significant bivariate relationships between the variables of interest. There are two components of reducing waste and consumption pressures that are significantly and positively correlated with AI supply chain efficiency. These are ecological footprint per capita (r =.662, p =.000) and waste recycling rates (r =.631, p =.000). The present work identifies the connection between AI supply chain efficiency and sustainable development and innovation. Moreover, the AI supply chain promotes technological innovation among enterprises and the sustainable development of enterprises themselves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several procedures were tested for the immobilization of the artificial d -selective amino acid dehydrogenase from Ureibacillus thermosphaericus (Ut DAADH) and its co-immobilization with the NADPH–regenerating glucose dehydrogenase (GDH). Based on the conversions of the reductive amination of phenylpyruvate, recyclability, batch-to-batch reproducibility, and immobilization costs, DAADH covalently attached onto Purolite® ECR8415F or co-immobilized with GDH on polyethylenimine-coated agarose were selected for optimizations. The non-desired substrate/product adsorption occurring in case of the Purolite® support, was avoided by increasing the volume of linkers employed for the covalent fixation of the enzyme. The more convenient to prepare immobilization variant, DAADH adsorbed onto the Purolite® resin also proved to be applicable. This preparation, despite presenting significant drop of 58.8% of its specific activity over 10 reaction cycles, still provided similar conversions with the covalently immobilized variant. As third effective preparation, the DAADH–GDH co-immobilized system, showed no activity loss over 10 reaction cycles. In this case the additional co-immobilization of the NADP+ cofactor provided self-sufficient biocatalysts only for limited cycles, after >3 consecutive reactions the conversion dropped with ∼60%, due to cofactor leakage. The synthetic utility of the immobilized DAADH was demonstrated by the 100 mg-scale reductive amination of phenylpyruvate, obtaining d -phenylalanine with 86% yield. [Display omitted] • Covalently immobilized DAADHs tested in reductive amination of phenylpyruvate. • Purolite® ECR8415F as optimal support for the covalent or adsorption–based immobilization. • DAADH and glucose dehydrogenase co-immobilized on agarose beads as effective biocatalyst. • Synthetic utility, for the synthesis of d -phenylalanine, tested at 100-mg scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Waste concrete recycled powder (WCRP) occupies up to 30% of crushed old concrete and is hard to be reutilized due to its high porosity and low cementitious reactivity. Traditionally, the WCRP is reused as cement substitution in mortar/concrete production, but this substitution method has certain disadvantages. In this research, a novel substitution method, called the paste substitution method, was applied by replacing part of the cement paste with WCRP; a total of 28 trial mortar mixes containing WCRP added as either paste substitution or cement substitution were made for evaluation and analysis. By comparing the test results, it could be found that the incorporation of WCRP using the paste substitution method can remarkably enhance the compressive strength by at most 38.3%, densify the microstructure, and meanwhile greatly reduce the cement consumption by at most 26.7%. The cementing efficiency factor of WCRP in compressive strength was calculated for the first time, and its value is 0.289. Regression analysis showed that there exists good correlation between the compressive strength and effective water/cementitious materials (W/CM) ratio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solid waste generation and its sustainable disposal are big concerns in the present decade. Mine tailings and incinerated bottom ash are among the greatest solid waste contributors to the environment. To promote sustainable development, material reuse and recycling are important. In the present study, a feasibility study was conducted by utilizing such tailings and bottom ash for the production of controlled low-strength material (CLSM). The amount of cement was utilized less, and by controlling the design mix with a targeted flow, low-strength material was produced. Three different cement contents (60, 80, and 100 kg/m3) and 100% mine tailings or incinerated bottom ash were used as fine aggregate material. Fresh properties of different CLSM mixes, mechanical performance, and leaching behavior were conducted to confirm the final product. It was observed that both the mine tailings and bottom ashes are suitable as an aggregate material for CLSM mixes. The compressive strength values of different CLSM mixes at 28 days were observed between 0.13 and 1.88 MPa for various aggregate materials (mine tailings and bottom ash) and cement content. Moreover, there is an influence in the reactivity of cement hydration by the aggregate (tailings and ash), which was confirmed by the calorimetry study. The selected mine tailings and bottom ashes are not inert (like natural aggregate) within the CLSM mixes, and the chemical composition of the raw materials affects their fresh and hardened properties. The leaching test further shows that the final product could leach different heavy metals beyond the limit for inert materials, but within the nonhazardous limits by international standards. The present work deals with CLSM mixes with locally available industrial side streams; some important properties such as hardening time, penetration resistance, shrinkage, excavatability, and other durability properties (i.e., acid attack, freezing and thawing resistance) were not considered in the study and can be studied further. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wind energy is widely deployed and will likely grow in service of reducing the world's dependency on fossil fuels. The first generation of wind turbines are now coming to the end of their service lives, and there are limited options for the reuse or recycling of the composite materials they are made of. Current literature has verified that there is no existing recycling pathway (i.e., mechanical, chemical, thermal methods of recovery, etc.) for end-of-life materials in wind blades that can meet cost parity with landfilling in the US. However, to the authors' knowledge there is no study to date that uncovers the cost structures associated with repurposing wind turbine blades in the US. Repurposing could offer a cost-competitive advantage through displacement of higher-value products, rather than materials or chemical constituents alone. This study implements life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle cost analysis (LCC) to assess the environmental and financial implications at each stage of repurposing wind turbine blades as the primary load-carrying elements for high-voltage transmission line structures in the United States. This case study contribution to knowledge is based on the successful management of construction waste by analyzing an application for repurposing construction demolition waste. Specifically, this study presents an environmental and financial analysis of repurposing wind turbine blades as transmission line poles. Under this case study, our results show that BladePoles have lower greenhouse gas emissions than steel poles, and we anticipate BladePoles will be less costly than steel poles. Overall emissions are most sensitive to combustion emissions, driven primarily by transportation distance and hours of required crane operations during the installation process. Compared to other evaluated recycling methods, repurposing wind blades as BladePoles has the least overall global warming potential. As renewable energy production grows, managing infrastructure at its end-of-life is increasingly relevant—for example, wind turbine blades. This case study presents a financial and environmental analysis of repurposing decommissioned wind turbine blades as transmission poles, called BladePoles. This paper presents the cost and associated greenhouse gas emissions at each stage of the process. The case study also compares this reuse application to typical steel pole deployment, finding that for the same 60-year life span and 161 kV, 230 kV, and 345 kV transmission line poles, the BladePole cost is lower than the steel pole. Greenhouse gas emissions are most sensitive to transportation distance from the wind farm to the transmission project and the time of crane use for installation are key parameters in this case study and reducing them directly reduces the total greenhouse emissions overall. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A universal and scalable method is developed for recycling spent lithium batteries. • The mechanism on selective sulfidation of NCM is elucidated by DFT and experiments. • The regenerated· NCM· materials exhibit excellent electrochemical performance. • In situ XRD reveals the evolution process of transition metal sulfides into NCM. Traditional cathode recycling methods have become outdated amid growing concerns for high-value output and environmental friendliness in spent Li-ion battery (LIB) recycling. Our study presents a closed-loop approach that involves selective sulfurization roasting, water leaching, and regeneration, efficiently transforming spent ternary Li batteries (i.e., NCM) into high-performance cathode materials. By combining experimental investigations with density functional theory (DFT) calculations, we elucidate the mechanisms within the NCM-C-S roasting system, providing a theoretical foundation for selective sulfidation. Utilizing in situ X-ray diffraction techniques and a series of consecutive experiments, the study meticulously tracks the evolution of regenerating cathode materials that use transition metal sulfides as their primary raw materials. The Li-rich regenerated NCM exhibits exceptional electrochemical performance, including long-term cycling, high-rate capabilities, reversibility, and stability. The closed-loop approach highlights the sustainability and environmental friendliness of this recycling process, with potential applications in other cathode materials, such as LiCoO 2 and LiMn 2 O 4. Compared with traditional methods, this short process approach avoids the complexity of leaching, solvent extraction, and reverse extraction, significantly increasing metal utilization and Li recovery rates while reducing pollution and resource waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The potential of bionic-inspired superhydrophobic membranes in the field of oil–water separation is significant. In this study, tannic acid induced the rhombohedral crystal form of ZIF-8 to grow in situ on a nylon membrane, resulting in the formation of a layered micro-nano structure. As a result, we successfully prepared a multifunctional composite membrane with exceptional underwater superoleophobicity and oil anti-adhesion. The composite membrane demonstrated an impressive separation flux for layered oil–water mixtures, reaching up to 4851.2 L m−2 h−1. Furthermore, when dealing with surfactant-free oil-in-water emulsions, the separation efficiency exceeded 99.0%. Because ZIF-8 is positively charged, the composite membrane exhibits different separation fluxes in the presence of different surfactants. For SDS stabilized toluene emulsion in water, the maximum separation flux of the composite membrane is 1307.4 L m−2 h−1. The membrane also has good tolerance to alkali and salt substances and is easy to recycle and reuse. Consequently, the ZIF-8 composite membrane has significant potential in effectively separating oil–water emulsions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ZIF-8-templated ZnIn 2 S 4 (ZIS) crystals with different morphologies have been synthesized solvothermally by varying the organic solvents, while thioacetamide (TAA) and L-cysteine (L‐cyst) were used as sulfur precursors. It is found that solvothermal properties, including ions coordination, dielectric constant, and atomic chain length, influence the nucleation and growth of ZIS composites. The differences in morphology and composition of the prepared ZIS crystals strongly affect their photophysical properties and photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reactions (PHER). The hydrogen evolution rates for ZIS composites decrease in the following order: Leaf‐like (EG, TAA) > nanorods (EtOH, TAA) > nanoflowers (EG, L‐cyst) > nanosheets (Gly, TAA) > irregular particles (EDA, TAA) > plate‐like (DETA, TAA). The leaf‐like ZIS‐EG composite prepared using TAA as a sulfur precursor and ethylene glycol (EG) as a solvent shows an excellent PHER performance of 5208 μmol g−1 h−1 (44.91 μmol) with an apparent quantum yield (AQY) of 4.80% at 420 nm. The ZIS‐EG composites with different ZIF‐8 contents (50, 100, 150, and 200 mg) were also investigated for the PHER activity with mixed Na 2 S/Na 2 SO 3 sacrificial agent at λ ≥ 420 nm. It shows that the nature of solvents and sulfur precursors had a significant influence on the morphology, photoabsorption, electrochemical properties, and PHER performance of ZIF‐8‐templated ZIS composites, which complements the knowledge of designing efficient and perspective photocatalysts with enhanced visible‐light‐driven PHER performance. [Display omitted] • Novel morphology-dependent MOF-templated ZIS composites were prepared using a solvothermal approach. • Solvents and sulfur precursors influencing morphology and photocatalytic H 2 -evolution of ZIS composites. • The highest photocatalytic H 2 -evolution was observed for ZIS-EG composite with leaf-like morphology. • The ZIS-EG composite showed long-term cyclic stability and recyclability. • The charge transfer mechanism for enhanced photocatalytic H 2 evolution was proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study describes the use of a novel and eco-friendly biogenic approach for the synthesis of copper oxide nanoparticles (Cu2O NPs) utilizing Cucumis melo (musk melon) peel extract for the first time. The extract was discovered to consist of active chemical constituents that function as both reducing and stabilizing agents. The successful synthesis of Cu2O NPs is authenticated by several analytical and spectroscopic characterization methods. Furthermore, the catalytic performance of Cu2O NPs was examined for a cost-effective, sustainable and base-free synthesis of pharmaceutically important quinazolinone derivatives without the use of external ligands or additives. Significantly, the molecular complexation of the synthesized N-heterocycles is being examined, and successful synthesis of targets on a gram scale has been accomplished. Furthermore, the recyclability of the catalyst, control experiments, and the clarification of the underlying mechanisms were discussed in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geminal (gem−) disubstitution in heterocyclic monomers is an effective strategy to enhance polymer chemical recyclability by lowering their ceiling temperatures. However, the effects of specific substitution patterns on the monomer's reactivity and the resulting polymer's properties are largely unexplored. Here we show that, by systematically installing gem‐dimethyl groups onto ϵ‐caprolactam (monomer of nylon 6) from the α to ϵ positions, both the redesigned lactam monomer's reactivity and the resulting gem‐nylon 6's properties are highly sensitive to the substitution position, with the monomers ranging from non‐polymerizable to polymerizable and the gem‐nylon properties ranging from inferior to far superior to the parent nylon 6. Remarkably, the nylon 6 with the gem‐dimethyls substituted at the γ position is amorphous and optically transparent, with a higher Tg (by 30 °C), yield stress (by 1.5 MPa), ductility (by 3×), and lower depolymerization temperature (by 60 °C) than conventional nylon 6. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of carbon peak and carbon neutrality, the resource utilization of solid waste tailings has important scientific research value and environmental protection significance. In this work, porous MgO-based ceramics with excellent mechanical and thermal insulation properties were prepared by the direct firing method and using lanthana as an additive. The results shows that the 2CaO·4La 2 O 3 ·6SiO 2 phase in-situ formed by the lanthana additive simultaneously improves the apparent porosity, thermal insulation, and mechanical properties of the prepared MgO-based ceramics. In particular, the 2CaO·4La 2 O 3 ·6SiO 2 phase increases apparent porosity by inhibiting shrinkage, from 51.78% to 53.34% (with 7.5 wt% of lanthana), and the thermal conductivity correspondingly decreases from 0.493 to 0.324 W·m−1 K−1 (800 °C); meanwhile, the 2CaO·4La 2 O 3 ·6SiO 2 phase improves the cold cpmpressive strength (from 6.89 to 11.13 MPa) and refractoriness under load (from 1345 to 1405 °C) by modifying the low-melting phase and cross-connecting the rod-like structure, respectively. Consequently, a potential strategy for the utilization of magnesite tailings is proposed, and the prepared porous ceramics are expected to be applied in the field of high-temperature thermal insulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work deals with the value‐addition to bio‐derived hydrocarbon mix obtained as a side product in biorefinery for petrochemicals and fuel applications. One aspect of this study focused on developing a highly versatile, non‐noble metal‐based catalytic process to facilitate the production of green aromatics and high‐octane fuel from a renewable bio‐derived hydrocarbon mix. Considering the availability of various conventional/unconventional feedstocks viz. industrial petroleum naphtha and crude‐derived hydrocarbon mix, the catalyst development is also expanded for effective conversion of such feedstocks to produce aromatics. For this, a detailed understanding of the catalyst property‐activity relationship has been established with the help of characterization techniques like FTIR, XRD, NH3‐TPD, Pyridine‐IR, N2 adsorption‐desorption, HR‐TEM, XPS, TGA, etc. The studies revealed promising catalytic activity of 5Zn‐2Ga‐0.5Ba/H‐ZSM‐5 to exhibit very high aromatic selectivity (up to 80 %) and high‐octane fuel production (>100 RON) from all the feedstocks possessing different hydrocarbon composition. The catalyst showed good repeatability and recyclability at the tested reaction conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stretchable conductors (SCs) have garnered significant attention in both academia and industry, owing to their promising applications in flexible electronics. However, achieving a highly resilient and rapidly rebounding SC that enables prompt electrical response to applied strain, while also being fully recyclable and self‐healable, remains a challenge. Here, the design and preparation of a high‐performance SC based on a small bio‐molecule (α‐Lipoic acid) are reported, using a straightforward, cost‐effective, and scalable method. The engineered SC exhibits a ≈100% rebound ratio and fast rebound speed (≈0.4 s) under repeated high strains, along with outstanding electrical sensitivity to both deformation and temperature variation. This ensures that the SC possesses high precision and real‐time sensing attributes. Moreover, the SC features high optical transparency (>97%), robust reversible adhesion to diverse surfaces (up to 5.0 MPa), efficient room‐temperature self‐healing properties, and full recyclability. The superior properties of the SC are fundamentally attributed to the installed hierarchical dynamic bonding at the molecular level, which enables continuous energy dissipation and is analyzed through DFT calculations. The developed SC holds great potential for applications in soft electronics and human–machine interfaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proton-exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) technology using green H 2 as a fuel to produce decarbonized electricity is considered as a promising substitute for fossil fuels. However, its development is impeded by the use of critical raw materials, such as platinum which catalyzes the hydrogen oxidation and oxygen reduction reactions. In this paper, a novel closed-loop system for the re-manufacturing of platinum-based catalyst electrode from recycled material is developed. Three different recycling alternatives are compared using the life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology. The most promising one, which combines the extraction step with an innovative synthesis of recycled Pt/C catalyst, leads to the manufacturing of an electrochemically active Pt/C catalyst with a high recovery efficiency of 96 %. Sensitivity analyses display that the recycling processes significantly relieve the environmental burdens associated with platinum mining and that their efficiencies directly relate to a decrease in environmental impacts. [Display omitted] • A Pt/C closed-loop recycling process which combines Pt extraction step and synthesis of recycled Pt/C catalyst is reported. • A closed-loop recycling process for Pt/C electrocatalysts with an efficiency of 96% is reported. • A life cycle assessment shows that recycling of platinum reduces the environmental burdens related to platinum mining. • The efficiency of the recycling process is directly linked to a decrease in its environmental impacts. • Implementation of recycling processes should minimize their energy consumption, especially for the steps using heat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The direct C−H to C−N bond conversion at room temperature using heterogeneous visible‐light catalysts is both interesting and challenging. Herein, we disclosed visible‐light‐promoted hydroacylation of azodicarboxylates using uranyl‐organic framework [UO2(OH)(cpt)]n (Ucpt, Hcpt=4‐(4′‐carboxyphenyl)‐1,2,4‐triazole) as an efficient heterogeneous hydrogen atom transfer photocatalyst. In this procedure, diverse benzaldehydes are compatible using dimethyl carbonate (DMC) as a green solvent at room temperature, achieving direct conversion of C−H to C−N bond with excellent yields (up to 99%). The key to excellent catalytic activity lies in the fact that the coordination of the conjugated ligand changes the HOMO energy level of Ucpt, resulting in more active sites and longer‐lived photo excitons. Simultaneously, this heterogeneous photocatalyst can be easily separated and reused for seven successive cycles and maintain high catalytic activity, showing outstanding sustainability and recyclability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although several studies analyzed the impact of e-waste recycling on human health, most publications did not differ between e-waste workers and bystanders, such as residents. This could lead to an underestimation of health effects in workers. In addition, frequently reported surrogate findings do not properly reflect clinical significant health outcomes. The aim of this review was to analyze the direct health effects of informal e-waste recycling in informal e-waste workers. Methods: According to PRISMA guidelines, we systematically searched 3 databases (Embase®, PubMed®, Web of Science) for studies from low- and middle-income countries published in German or English between 1980 and 1 November 2021. Of the 2613 hits, 26 studies (cross-sectional, longitudinal and case-control studies) met the specified criteria and were included. We categorized the results into hormonal, respiratory, renal, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal health and general symptoms in informal e-waste workers. Results: Exposure to e-waste was associated with altered lipid metabolism, thyroid hormonal imbalances, impaired fertility, renal dysfunction, increased prevalence of respiratory symptoms, asthma, cardiac arrhythmias, hypertension, musculoskeletal pain, injuries in up to 89% and skin disorders in up to 87.5–100% of e-waste workers. Conclusion: Due to inconsistent findings, weak associations or poor study quality, it has rarely been possible to establish a causal relationship between informal e-waste work and health effects, except for injuries or skin conditions. Besides high-quality studies, a collective national and international political focus on e-waste disposal is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]