Themed collection UN Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life below water

Pollution from contaminants of emerging concern is a multifaceted issue that can only be effectively addressed with the equitable inclusion of all stakeholders and their diverse knowledge systems.

Safe-and-sustainable-by-design (SSbD) is a pre-market approach that integrates innovation with safety and sustainability along the entire life cycle.

Marine macroalgae enable green synthesis of metal and metallic oxide nanoparticles with antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant activities, and targeted drug delivery applications offering a sustainable alternative to chemical methods.

Food packaging plays a crucial role in preventing food spoilage, preserving food quality, minimising food waste, and ensuring food safety.

Oil contamination is a critical issue affecting global water resources, which originates from a variety of sources, including domestic and industrial activities. Treatment methods include physical, chemical, and biological processes. Image source: Oil spill photo – Jesse Kavanaugh, U.S. Coast Guard.

Complex polysaccharide substrates can serve as direct feedstocks for PHA biosynthesis, potentially eliminating the need for extra processing steps and significantly lowering production costs for sustainable plastics.

Low DS spatioselective acetylation of paper shows control over biodegradability, without bulk modification of the fibres.

The interdisciplinary nature of green chemistry requires innovative approaches for engaging broad audiences, making active learning and gamified learning of interest for exploring green chemistry in classrooms and conference settings.

Active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) can cause severe adverse effects if released into the environment.

Microwave-assisted methanolysis of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) to dimethyl terephthalate (DMT) was catalysed by a recyclable, inexpensive non-stoichiometric protic ionic liquid from sulfuric acid and triethylamine.

Since the early 21st century, biochar (BC) has garnered attention for its agricultural and environmental applications.

Collagen was extracted from skipjack tuna skin waste as a sustainable biomaterial source. High hydroxyproline content indicated strong structural integrity. Collagen-containing 2D and 3D scaffolds showed potential for tissue regeneration.

Bio-derived calcium carbonate, calcite nanocrystals from mussel shells, can be decorated with copper oxide nanoparticles using green methods.

Silica with high specific surface area (1000 m² g⁻¹) was obtained by TEOS hydrolysis and resorcinol. The so-obtained silica was modified with a quaternary ammonium salt and entrapped into a PDMS film to give a material with film antifouling activity.

A safe and zero-waste process for the fabrication of high-performance lignocellulosic films with UV-blocking properties, using a recyclable ionic liquid with a non-toxic cosolvent, serving as an alternative to conventional plastics.

By-products from the fish processing industry were used to produce hydroxyapatite nanoparticles through green methods. After cleaning with enzymes, the bones were transformed into spherical nanoparticles with diameters <100 nm using mechanochemistry.

Co-pyrolysis of biomass and plastics is essential to improve the quality and yield of pyrolytic products, optimise energy recovery, and mitigate plastic waste, providing a sustainable approach to waste valorisation.

In vivo toxicity of PVC and PAC sheets with embryonic zebrafish.

This research compared the filters made of kapok and milkweed fibres, which separated 5 μm and 2 μm droplets from oily wastewater with 5% oil concentration.

A process combining brine-electrolysis and photolysis is proposed for CH₄ and CO₂ removal from the troposphere. Further developments to meet applicable technology constraints in overall negative emission and economic viability are discussed.

Non-isocyanate polyurethane nanocomposites from soybean oil and TiO₂ exhibit improved thermal stability, mechanical strength, hydrophobicity, and antimicrobial properties, highlighting eco-friendly material innovation.