Themed collection UN Sustainable Development Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

The overarching goal of global energy decarbonization, envisioned to combat climate change, should be coupled with material defossilization, which is just as crucial to target waste accumulation and fossil fuel depletion.

Advancing the future of wood plastic composites: a synergy of materials, methods, and sustainability.

Advanced catalytic strategies for CO₂ to MeOH conversion focus on approaches utilizing noble metals. These methods leverage noble metal catalysts to facilitate CO₂ molecule activation and promote reduction to MeOH under mild conditions.

Chemistry should adopt material stewardship as a central mission in fulfilling its vital role in sustainability for people and planet.

Metallenes are two-dimensional materials that exhibit unique features such as ultrathin structure, large surface area, good electronic conductivity, etc., making them suitable for energy storage applications.

Rubber nanocomposite-based electrodes are highly promising for supercapacitor applications owing to their high flexibility, high stretchability, and are potential candidates for next-generation electronic wearables.

This review presents a comprehensive review of graphene-based catalysts for eCO₂RR, highlighting optimization strategies, characterization techniques, applications, and future challenges.

The transition from fossil-based to solar-based energy sources is essential to minimize greenhouse gas emissions.

PSCs still face challenges such as lead toxicity. SCAPS-1D stands out as a valuable tool for investigating alternative metals as replacements for lead. This article reviews 54 simulation studies using SCAPS-1D, focusing on lead-free PSCs.

This review takes a closer look at the life-cycle of inverse vulcanized polymers and if they can be more sustainable alternatives to commodity materials in energy storage, remediation technology, agriculture or construction.

Biohydrogen is a promising alternative fuel for achieving zero greenhouse gas emissions in the future. Biohydrogen, produced from biomass waste, is a sustainable, eco-friendly, economically viable, and socially significant alternative.

Comprehensive review of ammonia-based biomass pretreatments, examining diverse processes with varying reaction conditions and reactor configurations that modify biomass structure to enhance accessibility for biofuel, feed, and material applications.

Electrification in the chemical industry is increasingly regarded as a key enabler of carbon neutrality.

The article provides a comprehensive review of the latest advancements in graphene-based photocatalysts for CO₂ reduction, focusing on mechanisms, product selectivity, and the challenges of enhancing efficiency and scalability.

This study assesses Nigeria's renewable energy materials landscape, highlighting solar, wind, biomass, and hydro resources, challenges, and pathways for enhancing local capacity for a sustainable energy future.

HPTPs exhibit ordered porosity and tunable coordination environments. This review highlights the synthetic strategies, structural morphology, and multifunctional applications spanning catalysis, adsorption, ion exchange, sensing, and energy storage.

Design for recycle unlocks selective and efficient recycling of technology critical metals.

The growing generation of electronic waste (e-waste) presents significant environmental and economic challenges while offering opportunities for resource recovery through the extraction of valuable metals.

Photocatalysis, waste valorization, hydrogen, and the circular economy.

Chemical looping technology provides an efficient means of sustainable CO₂ conversion to the important chemical intermediate of CO or syngas by changing conventional co-feeding of reactant into alternating feeding.

The image displays various biowastes, important constituents, and possible products of the pretreatment process.

Increased human activity due to the ever-increasing global population has necessitated the urgent need for a sustainable environment, food, and energy.

An unprecedented one-step process was developed to prepare catalytic active mixed-matrix membranes with porous metal–organic frameworks.

To realize the full potential of biomass waste-derived electrodes, their synthesis must be fully reproducible and their environmental life cycle impact must be assessed quantitatively.

Europium/terbium hydroxycarbonates were prepared by a hydrothermal method, and WLED devices were constructed with a 365 nm ultraviolet lamp.

Hybrid perovskite solar cells spray-coated with polystyrene retain 80% of their original efficiency after 40 hours immersed in water or temperatures of 95 °C.

Noble gas plasma-collisional splitting (NgPCS) is an emerging hydrogen production technology.

Thermally treated silicon–graphite @graphite based anode with cross-linked carboxy methyl cellulose–polyacrylic acid as a binder enable effective mitigation of volume expansion during cycling and stable electrochemical performance.

Measuring sustainability in international chemicals management: we present 23 indicators as a contribution to the Global Framework on Chemicals. Due to the overarching concept of sustainable chemistry, the indicators are related to several SDGs.

To synthesize xanthenes using a greener and environmentally friendly approach, the earth-abundant, iron-based Fe(MIL-53) MOF was established as a sustainable solid Lewis acid catalyst, operating effectively under mild conditions.

A novel method recycles spent LIB electrodes, recovering and re-engineering cathode/anode materials for LIC applications, achieving 206 Wh kg⁻¹ energy density and 7560 W kg⁻¹ power, with the utilization of a carbon fiber current collector.

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.

Combining reaction tracking, isotope labeling, and quantitative analysis provides mechanistic clarity and improved strategies for biomass valorization aimed at hydrogen storage.

From aluminum dross to MOFs and alumina, this study closes the loop in the upcycling of aluminum dross waste towards a sustainable industrial circircular economy.

Graphene sponge enables both cathodic and anodic reactions in microbial fuel cells. This free-standing graphene sponge electrode demonstrates high coulombic efficiency and current density.

Carbonate anions are formed following CO₂ absorption in real brines made alkaline via electrolysis. The addition of soda ash is thus fully replaced in the lithium carbonate crystallization process, resulting in a more sustainable mining process.

We demonstrate the conversion of a reactive carbon capture solution into CO using electricity provided by thermoelectric generators. The temperature differences that exist on Mars or at geothermal sites on earth are both capable of driving reactive carbon capture and conversion.

Schematic depiction of the approach used to screen different pretreatment solvents on different biomass feedstocks.

Benchtop NMR analyses of bio-oils are made safer and more sustainable by replacing DMF with bio-derived solvents.

CO₂ photoreduction is a promising alternative to CCUS technologies. Finding an effective facilitator for photoreduction can be as important as finding an active photocatalyst, which could be the key to advancing the technology.

An iron(III)- and oxygen-promoted one-pot method for the efficient syntheses of quinolines from amino acids, alkyl lactate, and arylamine was carried out.

This study explored the anaerobic co-digestion of Ulva lactuca and cow manure to enhance methane yield. A 2 : 1 ratio produced 325.75 mL per g VS methane. The modified Gompertz model best fit the kinetics.

Illustration of the gaseous production and overall coverage for different conditions using both the MkM and kMC methods.

Development of a chemo-enzymatic cascade process for the sustainable conversion of canola oil into hydrocarbon fuels, integrating enzymatic hydrolysis, hydrogenation, and photodecarboxylation under continuous-flow conditions.

This TOC represents the use of sustainable components within the printing process for the manufacture of battery composite electrodes.

We reported cellulose filter paper, treated with weak acids, and reinforced with resorcinol bis(diphenyl phosphate) (RDP), for incorporation into the membrane electrolyte assembly (MEA) of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs).

Adsorption interactions of lignin derivatives anisole, guaiacol and cresols in industrial zeolite catalysts are studied with a combined vibrational spectroscopy and DFT approach, to enable design of catalysts for biomass-based chemical feedstocks.

The transition to sustainable energy relies on innovative methods to convert biomass-derived compounds into viable biofuels.

CMX-0.04 composite films exhibited high UV (≈100%) and HEBL (≈97.5%) blocking performance with enhanced mechanical properties (303% and 830% increased tensile and Young's modulus, respectively) and excellent film flexibility.

We show that the electrostatic destabilization due to the interaction of surface oxygen with the interfacial field on IrO₂ reduces Tafel slopes in acidic OER. This creates the erroneous impression of a non-electrochemical rate limiting step.

Techno-economic assessment was carried out for a hypothetical novel integrated system designed for municipal sewage treatment, with a primary focus on resource recovery including ammonia and power.

Nb₂O₅ catalyst deactivation in adiponitrile synthesis is caused by carbon deposition and phase transformation. Proper acidity and site control boost selectivity, offering strategies for enhanced catalyst lifespan and efficiency.

An investigation into the addition of CO₂ to the feedstock for a Fischer–Tropsch-to-olefins catalyst indicates a role for CO₂ perturbing the equilibrium between iron carbides and oxides.

The ion pair organocatalyst is a new type of H-bonding bifunctional catalyst that promotes the construction of oxazolidinones under mild conditions through the aza-Payne-type rearrangement of epoxy amines with carbon dioxide.

A waste-biomass derived Ni-nanocatalyst was prepared and applied for the hydrogenation of (hetero)arenes to produce cyclo-aliphatic compounds including tetrahydroquinolines, tetrahydroquinoxalines and dihydrobenzofurans.

This study evaluates the impact of biomass addition on the physicochemical properties of ZSM-5 zeolites.

Photovoltaics (PVs), the fastest-growing renewable energy source, play a crucial role in decarbonizing global energy systems.

Herein, we have synthesized high-performance, low-cost ionomer biocomposites comprised of sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) and softwood Kraft lignin with proton selectivities three- to ten-fold higher than that of neat SPEEK.

Within the study, synthesis of OME in a continuous, liquid phase process at the kg h⁻¹ scale is demonstrated. Catalyst deactivation is observed and further investigated to understand the underlying mechanism and propose further developments.

Biochar offers a sustainable use of cannabis residues. Low temperature biochar can be used for contaminant adsorption and in soil amendment, and high temperature biochar as an electrode material in electrochemical and bioelectrochemical applications.

Cellulose acetate (CA) membranes incorporated with amino acids (AAs) and ionic liquids (ILs) fabricated using phase inversion technique have been proven to be efficient and effective for nanofiltration to treat heavy metal ion solutions.

Weakly sintered flakes have a higher recycling yield than spheres due to a higher sintered porosity of the printed structures.

This study demonstrates SLA 3D printing of Li-ion battery anodes using recycled solar cell waste, achieving 400 mA h g⁻¹ capacity with 89% retention after 200 cycles. This sustainable approach surpasses graphite anodes and supports circular economy.

State-of-the-art machine learning, reaction engineering, and component additivity models for biomass HTL, accurately predicting biocrude yields to optimize reaction conditions for biomass-to-oil yield across diverse feedstocks.

Single atom catalysts (SACs) supported on MXene have emerged as new-generation catalysts that exhibit unique properties and catalytic activity due to their tunable coordination environment and uniform catalytic active sites.

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.

We present a method for depolymerization of poplar lignin for microbial conversion via sulfonation and Fenton chemistry.

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.

An improved process to convert 1-hexanol to hexenes under energy-saving conditions based on re-use of the catalysts Cu(OTf)₂, Hf(OTf)₄ and TfOH over 20 cycles led to an average alkene yield of 71–77%, and an initial lab scale up gave 1.3 kg product.

This study links sorghum biomass characteristics, such as lignocellulosic composition and morphology, to carbon properties like surface area, porosity, and electrochemical performance. Cellulose enrichment resulted in porous graphitic carbons with enhanced capacitance.