Themed collection A collection of papers from RSC journals on chemistry and the circular economy

35 items
Open Access Perspective

Circular economy for perovskite solar cells – drivers, progress and challenges

We examine drivers and benefits of adopting circular economy practices for perovskite solar cells (PSCs), a promising low-cost PV technology, identifying key challenges and reviewing research progress towards achieving a circular economy for PSCs.

Graphical abstract: Circular economy for perovskite solar cells – drivers, progress and challenges
From the themed collection: Recent Open Access Articles
Open Access Perspective

Enhanced plastic economy: a perspective and a call for international action

The current plastic circular economy lacks a uniform framework. It overfocuses on recycling, reuse and energy recovery. An enhanced plastic economy drives innovation and concerted effort in reducing plastic pollution and waste management.

Graphical abstract: Enhanced plastic economy: a perspective and a call for international action
Perspective

Cathode regeneration and upcycling of spent LIBs: toward sustainability

Cathode regeneration and upcycling technologies, aimed at non-destructively recovering and upgrading the electrochemical performance of degraded materials, show excellent flexibility and potential for transforming the LIB industry from a resource-based to a circular economy.

Graphical abstract: Cathode regeneration and upcycling of spent LIBs: toward sustainability
Open Access Perspective

People, plastic, and behaviour change – a comment on drivers of plastic pollution, barriers to change and targeted behaviour change interventions

Few studies consider human behaviour and relationship impacts on how people use and manage plastic.

Graphical abstract: People, plastic, and behaviour change – a comment on drivers of plastic pollution, barriers to change and targeted behaviour change interventions
Open Access Perspective

Chemistry must respond to the crisis of transgression of planetary boundaries

Chemistry, the science of transformation of matter, is fundamental to achieving sustainability through ensuring biogeochemical flows do not transgress planetary boundaries. This requires urgent changes in chemistry education, research and industry.

Graphical abstract: Chemistry must respond to the crisis of transgression of planetary boundaries
Open Access Perspective

Towards circular carbo-chemicals – the metamorphosis of petrochemicals

The petrochemical industry must transition into a circular carbo-chemical industry to respond to three main challenges: shifting hydrocarbon stock, climate change and circular economy.

Graphical abstract: Towards circular carbo-chemicals – the metamorphosis of petrochemicals
From the themed collection: Recent Open Access Articles
Perspective

Green chemistry and the plastic pollution challenge: towards a circular economy

The solution to plastic pollution is not less chemistry but more, greener chemistry in a circular bio-based economy.

Graphical abstract: Green chemistry and the plastic pollution challenge: towards a circular economy
Review Article

Advances in the use of CO2 as a renewable feedstock for the synthesis of polymers

The most relevant approaches to the construction of polymers by exploiting carbon dioxide as a renewable C1 feedstock are highlighted.

Graphical abstract: Advances in the use of CO2 as a renewable feedstock for the synthesis of polymers
Open Access Tutorial Review

New frontiers in enzyme immobilisation: robust biocatalysts for a circular bio-based economy

This tutorial review focuses on recent advances in technologies for enzyme immobilisation, enabling their cost-effective use in the bio-based economy and continuous processing in general.

Graphical abstract: New frontiers in enzyme immobilisation: robust biocatalysts for a circular bio-based economy
From the themed collection: Biocatalysis: A cross-journal collection
Open Access Critical Review

Sustainable design of water–energy–food nexus: a literature review

The water–energy–food nexus aims to achieve sustainable development by meeting present needs while safeguarding the capacity of future generations.

Graphical abstract: Sustainable design of water–energy–food nexus: a literature review
From the themed collection: RSC Sustainability Recent Review Articles
Open Access Critical Review

A review on spent lithium-ion battery recycling: from collection to black mass recovery

The advent of lithium-ion battery technology in portable electronic devices and electric vehicle applications results in the generation of millions of hazardous e-wastes that are detrimental to the ecosystem.

Graphical abstract: A review on spent lithium-ion battery recycling: from collection to black mass recovery
From the themed collection: RSC Sustainability Recent Review Articles
Open Access Critical Review

Status and advances of deep eutectic solvents for metal separation and recovery

Deep eutectic solvents show interesting prospects as more sustainable alternatives for metal separation and recovery.

Graphical abstract: Status and advances of deep eutectic solvents for metal separation and recovery
Critical Review

Chemically recyclable polymers: a circular economy approach to sustainability

Developing recyclable polymers provides a solution to materials' end-of-life issues and also an approach to establish a circular materials economy.

Graphical abstract: Chemically recyclable polymers: a circular economy approach to sustainability
Open Access Communication

Microbial nanocellulose biotextiles for a circular materials economy

Harnessing microbial biofabrication coupled to a protocol inspired by indigenous textile processes, we engineer high-performance biotextiles with a sustainable circular life cycle, including the plant and mineral dyed bioleather sneakers shown.

Graphical abstract: Microbial nanocellulose biotextiles for a circular materials economy
From the themed collection: Sustainable fashion
Open Access Edge Article

Polymer up-cycling by mangana-electrocatalytic C(sp3)–H azidation without directing groups

Selective up-cycling of polyolefins to C(sp3)–H azidated materials was achieved by electrocatalysis. The broad scope, ease of scale-up, and late-stage click-diversification are key features.

Graphical abstract: Polymer up-cycling by mangana-electrocatalytic C(sp3)–H azidation without directing groups
Open Access Edge Article

Indirect reduction of CO2 and recycling of polymers by manganese-catalyzed transfer hydrogenation of amides, carbamates, urea derivatives, and polyurethanes

A Mn–PNP complex proved to be a suitable catalyst for the transfer hydrogenation of amides, carbamates, urea derivatives and even polyurethanes.

Graphical abstract: Indirect reduction of CO2 and recycling of polymers by manganese-catalyzed transfer hydrogenation of amides, carbamates, urea derivatives, and polyurethanes
Paper

Low-carbon recycling of spent lithium iron phosphate batteries via a hydro-oxygen repair route

Spent lithium iron phosphate batteries can be successfully regenerated via a pollution-free, short-range, and low-carbon hydro-oxygen repair route.

Graphical abstract: Low-carbon recycling of spent lithium iron phosphate batteries via a hydro-oxygen repair route
Paper

Techno-economic-environmental assessment of the integration of power-to-X and biogas utilization towards the production of electricity, hydrogen, methane and methanol

Various routes for the valorisation of biogas towards methane and methanol and for electricity or hydrogen storage is assessed.

Graphical abstract: Techno-economic-environmental assessment of the integration of power-to-X and biogas utilization towards the production of electricity, hydrogen, methane and methanol
Open Access Paper

Bio-based solvents for polyolefin dissolution and membrane fabrication: from plastic waste to value-added materials

Sustainable fabrication of polyolefin membranes from green solvents to application.

Graphical abstract: Bio-based solvents for polyolefin dissolution and membrane fabrication: from plastic waste to value-added materials
Paper

Use of hemicellulose-derived xylose for environmentally sustainable starch production by mixotrophic duckweed

Schematic diagrams of xylose-enriched wastewater treatments and value-added product production by mixotrophic duckweed.

Graphical abstract: Use of hemicellulose-derived xylose for environmentally sustainable starch production by mixotrophic duckweed
Open Access Paper

Color stability of blue aluminates obtained from recycling and applied as pigments

Aluminates have been used as synthetic inorganic pigments due to their structural stability.

Graphical abstract: Color stability of blue aluminates obtained from recycling and applied as pigments
From the themed collection: RSC Sustainability Hot Papers
Paper

A recyclable process between a monomer and polyester with a natural catalyst

Catalysts from nature promoted a circular process for polylactide chemistry, including the polymerization of lactide to polylactide, the depolymerization of polylactide to alkyl lactate, and finally the conversion of alkyl lactate back to lactide.

Graphical abstract: A recyclable process between a monomer and polyester with a natural catalyst
Open Access Paper

Submerged comminution of lithium-ion batteries in water in inert atmosphere for safe recycling

Lithium-ion batteries are crushed in lime water in an inert N2 atmosphere to inactivate them. N2 flow reduces the risk of hydrogen explosion, and water absorbs the reaction heat.

Graphical abstract: Submerged comminution of lithium-ion batteries in water in inert atmosphere for safe recycling
From the themed collection: Lithium ion batteries – Topic Highlight
Open Access Paper

Optimisation of PET glycolysis by applying recyclable heterogeneous organocatalysts

Functionalized silica gels were applied as heterogeneous organocatalysts in PET glycolysis, and were recycled by filtration while preserving high monomer yields over five cycles.

Graphical abstract: Optimisation of PET glycolysis by applying recyclable heterogeneous organocatalysts
Open Access Paper

Homoleptic phenoxy-imine pyridine zinc complexes: efficient catalysts for solvent free synthesis and chemical degradation of polyesters

Robust homoleptic zinc catalysts offer new opportunities for recycling polyesters such as poly(lactic acid) and poly(ethylene terephthalate) to obtain platform molecules in a plastics circular economy approach.

Graphical abstract: Homoleptic phenoxy-imine pyridine zinc complexes: efficient catalysts for solvent free synthesis and chemical degradation of polyesters
From the themed collection: Plastic Conversion
Paper

Pineapple by-products as a source of bioactive compounds with potential for industrial food application

Characterization of the phenolic profile of the hydroethanolic extracts obtained from pineapple peel and crown leaves, and evaluation of their in vitro bioactivity.

Graphical abstract: Pineapple by-products as a source of bioactive compounds with potential for industrial food application
Paper

Integrating recyclable polymers into thermoelectric devices for green electronics

Electronic waste (e-waste) recycling is one of the central frameworks of the circular economy.

Graphical abstract: Integrating recyclable polymers into thermoelectric devices for green electronics
Open Access Paper

Catalytic reduction and reductive functionalisation of carbon dioxide with waste silicon from solar panel as the reducing agent

Waste silicon wafer recovered from the solar panel production process acted as a reducing agent for reduction and reductive functionalization of CO2 with fluoride catalyst.

Graphical abstract: Catalytic reduction and reductive functionalisation of carbon dioxide with waste silicon from solar panel as the reducing agent
Open Access Paper

Morphological and mechanical characterization of high-strength sulfur composites prepared with variably-sized lignocellulose particles

The extent to which lignocellulose biomass particle size influences the properties of biomass–sulfur composites prepared from these particles was evaluated.

Graphical abstract: Morphological and mechanical characterization of high-strength sulfur composites prepared with variably-sized lignocellulose particles
Paper

Emerging investigator series: thermodynamic and energy analysis of nitrogen and phosphorous recovery from wastewaters

This study quantified the theoretical minimum energy required to recover fertilizer products from different environmental waste streams.

Graphical abstract: Emerging investigator series: thermodynamic and energy analysis of nitrogen and phosphorous recovery from wastewaters
Open Access Paper

Long-chain polyamide covalent adaptable networks based on renewable ethylene brassylate and disulfide exchange

Long-chain polyamide covalent adaptable networks with high strength and short relaxation times were prepared based on a renewable ethylene brassylate and disulfide exchange.

Graphical abstract: Long-chain polyamide covalent adaptable networks based on renewable ethylene brassylate and disulfide exchange
Open Access Paper

Integrated mechanistic engineering models and macroeconomic input–output approach to model physical economy for evaluating the impact of transition to a circular economy

A novel method to standardize and automate material flow/waste mapping in economies by integrating mechanistic engineering models and macroeconomic framework is proposed for identifying pathways to transition towards low carbon/zero waste economy.

Graphical abstract: Integrated mechanistic engineering models and macroeconomic input–output approach to model physical economy for evaluating the impact of transition to a circular economy
From the themed collection: Recent Open Access Articles
Open Access Paper

Spent coffee waste as a renewable source for the production of sustainable poly(butylene succinate) biocomposites from a circular economy perspective

Spent coffee waste from espresso machines was used as a renewable filler for the melt processing of sustainable poly(butylene succinate) biocomposites with enhanced exploitation properties.

Graphical abstract: Spent coffee waste as a renewable source for the production of sustainable poly(butylene succinate) biocomposites from a circular economy perspective
Paper

Direct ink writing of recyclable and in situ repairable photothermal polyurethane for sustainable 3D printing development

Direct ink writing of disulfide-based composites offers a practical approach to customizable and straightforward sustainable 3D printing processes including recycling printing wastes, repairing damaged parts, and reducing processing defects.

Graphical abstract: Direct ink writing of recyclable and in situ repairable photothermal polyurethane for sustainable 3D printing development
Paper

High performance dynamic covalent crosslinked polyacylsemicarbazide composites with self-healing and recycling capabilities

Self-healing and recycling of fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composites are of great significance towards pursuing a sustainable and circular economy, but remain a huge challenge due to the infusible and insoluble properties of thermoset polymers.

Graphical abstract: High performance dynamic covalent crosslinked polyacylsemicarbazide composites with self-healing and recycling capabilities
35 items

About this collection

The circular economy aims to minimize resource consumption by promoting reuse, refurbishment, and recycling of materials and products. Chemists, and the chemical sciences, have a leading role to play in driving this forward.

This collection of papers from across RSC journals showcases the latest advancements and breakthroughs in topics relating to the circular economy. From enzyme immobilisation for circular bio-based solutions to advancements in using CO2

as a renewable feedstock, and from the recycling of polymers to the upcycling of waste materials, these papers showcase the potential of the chemical sciences to solve the most pressing global challenges.

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