Themed collection Advances in Sustainable Catalysis: from Materials to Energy and Environmental Applications


Tribocatalysis: a successful marriage of triboelectricity and heterogeneous catalysis
We discuss how tribocatalysis utilizes friction-generated charges to drive chemical transformations. The proposed mechanistic understanding, catalyst design, and future research directions are examined.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2025,13, 27925-27946
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5TA04021C
Advances in solvent-free syntheses of covalent organic frameworks towards catalysis and battery applications
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2025, Accepted Manuscript
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5TA05581D

Selective production of aldehydes: from traditional alternatives to alcohol photo-oxidation using g-C3N4-based materials
Once largely overlooked, selective photocatalysis has recently seen rapid development and now includes several new applications. The production of valuable aldehydes is one of the most relevant areas.
Mater. Adv., 2025,6, 3760-3784
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5MA00229J

Long-lived room temperature phosphorescence in aqueous micellar systems: application in cyclobutane synthesis
The micelle-induced excimer formation of simple chalcone is investigated and applied in synthesis. The concept allowed for the visible light promoted [2+2] photocycloaddition to occur, generating cyclobutanes.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2025, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5TA05567A
Roles of Ru on PtRu Surface in Electrocatalytic Ammonia Oxidation
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2025, Accepted Manuscript
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5TA06040K
A novel ternary Mn2O3 decorated GO-MoS2 heterostructure for enhanced tetracycline degradation and green H2 production under visible light
A facile synthesis method of a manganese(III) oxide decorated on graphene oxide molybdenum disulphide composite (Mn2O3@GO-MoS2) is reported as a sustainable photocatalyst for green hydrogen (H2) production and tetracycline degradation.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2025,13, 32300-32321
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5TA04273A

Selective and sustainable nitro reduction and reductive N-alkylation using a recyclable V2O5/TiO2 catalyst for amine synthesis
We present a sustainable and versatile catalytic platform for the synthesis of primary and secondary amines via the selective reduction of nitroarenes, employing a heterogeneous V2O5/TiO2 catalyst.
Mater. Adv., 2025,6, 7076-7089
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5MA00711A
Engineering ultrafine Cu nanoparticles supported on zeolites via solvent-free inter-zeolite transformation for bioethanol dehydrogenation
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2025, Accepted Manuscript
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5TA05755H
Regulating exciton binding energy in resorcinol-formaldehyde resin via S-scheme heterojunction construction for efficient full-spectrum-driven H2O2 production
An S-scheme heterojunction composed of resorcinol-formaldehyde (RF) resin and MgIn2S4 (RF/MIS) was constructed to minimize the exciton binding energy of RF by modulating charge transfer pathways.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2025,13, 31112-31121
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5TA05349H
Ordered multi-modal sulfated MOF-808 and its improved catalytic performance in glycerol esterification
Surfactant-assisted porosity engineering and sulfation of MOF-808 enable efficient triacetin formation by combining hierarchical pores with tailored Brønsted acidity.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2025, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5TA05716G
Polyoxometalate@Metal-Organic Framework-Derived Fe-Co-Mo/NC: An Advanced Electrocatalyst for Zinc-Air Batteries
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2025, Accepted Manuscript
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5TA05881C
Engineered 3D copper ferrite/kaolinite/polypyrrole carbon black hydrogels for efficient persulfate activation in tetracycline degradation: kinetics, mechanistic insights, toxicity, and green metrics
This study develops reusable CKP hydrogels (CuFe2O4/kaolinite/polypyrrole–carbon black/CMC), achieving 98% tetracycline degradation in 15 min via LED-persulfate activation.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2025, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5TA05451F

MiniSOG as a biodegradable heterogeneous photocatalyst for coupled redox biotransformations
MiniSOG flavoprotein immobilized as biodegradable cross-linked enzyme aggregates (CLEAs) forms a resuable heterogeneous material, enabling controlled dual photoredox biotransformations under visible-light irradiation.
Mater. Adv., 2025, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5MA00861A
The strain-mediated orbital synergy in Co3O4 for enhanced oxygen evolution reaction activity
Strain-regulated on Co3O4(100) enhances OER performance by inducing Jahn–Teller distortion of Co 3d orbitals and improving oxygen intermediate adsorption, with optimal strain at −2%.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2025, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5TA05602K

Visible-light H2 evolution using dye-sensitized TiO2: effects of physicochemical properties of TiO2 on excited carrier dynamics and activity
Back electron transfer (BET) and dye aggregation govern H2 evolution in Ru dye-sensitized TiO2, where crystal phase and surface area dictate interfacial dynamics. Efficient H2 production requires both BET suppression and optimal dye arrangement.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2025, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5TA05528H
About this collection
Guest Edited by Prof. Mario J. Muñoz-Batista (University of Granada, Spain), Prof. Bo Weng (Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences), Prof. Choe Earn Choong(Kwangwoon University, South Korea), Prof. Asim Bhaumik(School of Materials Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, India), and Prof. Damien Debecker (University of Louvain, Belgium).
Sustainable catalysis can be defined as a multidisciplinary approach that integrates environmental, economic, and social factors to develop catalytic processes that are viable over the long term. This field focuses on creating and utilizing catalysts that enhance the efficiency and selectivity of chemical reactions while minimizing environmental impact and promoting resource conservation. Key aspects include the development of materials using environmentally friendly synthesis techniques or waste-derived materials, transforming waste into valuable resources, and addressing critical environmental challenges. Additionally, sustainable catalysis emphasizes the synergistic use of energy, optimizing processes to reduce energy consumption and enhance overall efficiency.