Green Chemical Technology - Journal

Articles (59) All Articles

Open Access

Article

03 August 2026

Green Synthesis of NiFe₂O₄ Nanoparticles Using Combretum Indicum Leaf Extract for the Synthesis of 2-Aryl Benzimidazole

The versatile applications of nitrogen-containing heterocycles in different industries have engendered a lot of research. Benzimidazole derivatives, as isostructural pharmacophores of naturally occurring active biomolecules, are popular chemotherapeutic drugs. The present study focuses on a green methodology for the synthesis of NiFe₂O₄ nanocomposite using Combretum indicum leaf extract, and for the synthesis of 2-aryl benzimidazole derivatives via the condensation of aromatic aldehydes and O-phenylenediamine. The synthesized catalyst was characterized through various analytical techniques, including FT-IR, XRD, SEM, TEM, and BET. It has several advantages, including a rapid reaction at room temperature, easy work-up, high product yield, simple purification, and a reusable catalyst. The catalyst was reused for up to six consecutive cycles, with the yield decreasing only marginally from 95% (fresh catalyst) to 89% (sixth reuse).

Kalpana Tekale

Santosh Katkar*

Green Chem. Technol.

2026,

(4), 10026;

DOI: 10.70322/gct.2026.10026

Open Access

Article

31 July 2026

The Lanthanum-Modified Zeolite for Efficient Removal of Glyphosate: Adsorption Behaviors and Mechanisms

Glyphosate is one of the most extensively used organophosphorus herbicides; however, its excessive application and environmental residues have severely threatened aquatic ecosystems and human health. In this study, a highly efficient lanthanum-modified zeolite (LMZ) adsorbent was synthesized via a hydrothermal method, and its adsorption behaviors and underlying mechanisms for glyphosate removal were systematically investigated. LMZ exhibited exceptional adsorption performance over a broad pH range of 3.0–7.0, achieving a maximum adsorption capacity of 217.39 mg/g. The adsorption process was well described by the Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetic models, indicating a monolayer chemisorption process. Notably, LMZ demonstrated remarkable adsorption selectivity and excellent regenerability, maintaining a high adsorption capacity even after five consecutive adsorption-desorption cycles. In practical application assessments with simulated wastewater, glyphosate removal efficiency exceeded 90% at an adsorbent dosage of 7.5 g/L. Furthermore, dynamic column experiments confirmed that LMZ could maintain effective continuous adsorption, highlighting its substantial application potential for treating glyphosate-contaminated wastewater. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Raman spectroscopic characterizations revealed that this outstanding adsorption capability is primarily driven by inner-sphere complexation induced by ligand exchange at the La-OH active sites.

Xiaomeng Zhou

Junfeng Li

Mengmeng Deng

Xiaodi Li*

Jinming Yi

Siqi Li

Junxia Yu

Chunqiao Xiao

Yuefei Zhang

Ruan Chi

Bo Hu

Jie Cao

Songlin Zheng

Green Chem. Technol.

2026,

(4), 10025;

DOI: 10.70322/gct.2026.10025

Open Access

Article

30 July 2026

Utilization of Post-Consumer Cotton Waste for Industrial Applications

The accumulation of post-consumer cotton textile waste brings environmental challenges and opportunities for resource recovery. In this work, cotton waste was valorized into nitrocellulose via a pure nitration method, and its potential as a multifunctional material was systematically assessed. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the process parameters with a Box-Behnken design, and the results indicated that nitric acid concentration was the most important parameter affecting nitrogen incorporation. The optimized process produced nitrocellulose with a Nitrogen content of 11.17%, as confirmed by CHNS analysis. However, the FTIR results confirmed that the nitrocellulose was successfully nitrated, as evidenced by the nitro group absorption bands. The produced nitrocellulose was evaluated in various applications, including pyrotechnic green mixtures, adhesive systems, and film production. Gas emission analysis indicated a nitrogen-rich and comparatively cleaner combustion profile. The adhesive test showed moderate bonding to cellulosic materials, whereas the tensile test of films showed a high tensile strength of 60.8–65.8 MPa. The findings indicate that multifunctional nitrocellulose can be successfully produced from post-consumer cotton waste, providing a viable alternative to textile waste recycling methods and adding to efforts to build a sustainable circular economy.

Alok Varma

Ashok Athalye*

Green Chem. Technol.

2026,

(4), 10024;

DOI: 10.70322/gct.2026.10024

Open Access

Article

28 July 2026

Selective Interfacial Separation of Lithium-Ion Battery Cathodes by a Chelator-Engineered Deep Eutectic Solvent: Foil Liberation, Black-Mass Purity, and Process Windows

Direct recycling of spent lithium-ion batteries requires selective dissociation of the cathode coating on the aluminum current collectors while minimizing cross-contamination of the recovered fractions. In this study, a chelator-based deep eutectic solvent (ChelaDES) made of levulinyl hydroxamic acid, glyceric acid, and trimethyl (2-methoxyethyl) ammonium chloride was designed as a low-temperature solvent for the selective interfacial separation of LCO, LFP, and NCA cathodes. The method uses four complementary key performance indicators (KPIs) as interfacial separation performance measures: active material removal, mass removed per unit area, bare-Al exposure, and delamination severity score. LCO showed the fastest response, reaching 93.7% active-material removal and >99% bare-Al exposure at 90 °C for 60 min. NCA showed intermediate behavior, reaching approximately 92.5% removal and 82% bare-Al exposure, while LFP exhibited threshold-controlled delamination, reaching 90.8% removal but only 66% bare-Al exposure under the same conditions. Among the kinetic models tested, the PSO-Arrhenius model provided the best overall fit for process comparison, giving apparent activation energies of 25.5, 26.5, and 28.5 kJ·mol⁻¹ for LCO, NCA, and LFP, respectively. A strong correlation was observed for all chemistries between the removed mass per area and bare-Al exposure, which proves to be a useful, rapid quantitative proxy of foil liberation. Further purification studies with SEM-EDXS, XPS, and TGA/DTG suggested that the recovered black mass contained minimal impurities with minimal Al/Cu carryover (<0.1 wt%) and that the aluminum foil remained largely intact. Process heatmaps define the chemistry-specific operating windows, demonstrating that selective interfacial weakening, not bulk dissolution, controls separation. The process, therefore, acts as an upstream selective delamination and purification step, producing cleaner recovered black mass while preserving the current collector.

Paul Afreh*

Zhiqin Qin

Lizhen Gao*

Muhammad Tariq

Green Chem. Technol.

2026,

(3), 10023;

DOI: 10.70322/gct.2026.10023

Open Access

Article

24 July 2026

Lanthanum-Modified Activated Alumina for Selective Removal of Fluoride from Phosphogypsum Leachate

Fluoride-rich phosphogypsum leachate is a challenging industrial wastewater because of its low pH, high ionic strength, and the presence of competing anions. In this study, lanthanum-modified activated alumina (La-AA) was prepared and evaluated as a selective adsorbent for the removal of fluoride from complex phosphate-industry wastewater. The results showed that La modification improved the adsorption performance of activated alumina, and the 10% La-AA sample exhibited the best fluoride removal behavior among the tested materials. Kinetic and thermodynamic analyses indicated that fluoride adsorption on La-AA was more favorable than on pristine activated alumina and proceeded spontaneously and endothermically under the tested conditions. In competitive adsorption tests, La-AA maintained better fluoride uptake than unmodified activated alumina in the presence of chloride, sulfate, and phosphate, demonstrating improved matrix tolerance. When applied to authentic phosphogypsum leachate, the optimized La-AA reduced fluoride concentration from 9.67 mg·L⁻¹ to 0.58 mg·L⁻¹, below the WHO guideline value. These results suggest that La modification is a practical strategy to improve the selectivity and applicability of activated alumina for fluoride removal in complex industrial process water.

Shuomin Hou

Zhaobo Wang*

Xiang Peng*

Shengchao Huang

Huijuan Ma

Ruan Chi

Green Chem. Technol.

2026,

(3), 10022;

DOI: 10.70322/gct.2026.10022

Open Access

Article

07 July 2026

Soluble Oligomerization Is Involved in Fluorescence of Citrate-Copper Complexes

Fluorescence of citrate-Cu²⁺ was observed here. Citrate aqueous solution by itself showed weak fluorescence, and the fluorescence intensified about eighth fold (quantum yield increased over eighty fold) with the presence of appropriate Cu²⁺ ion concentrations at two different pH conditions. Only a certain specific ratio of citrate-Cu²⁺ generated homogenous particles of a particular size, which showed intensified fluorescence. Intensified fluorescence of citrate-Cu²⁺ complex was depressed by the presence of EDTA. The coordination between Cu²⁺ ion and citrate was probably through electrostatic chelation via the carboxylate group of citrate, because the required amount of Cu²⁺ ion decreased to obtain the fluorescent citrate-Cu²⁺ complex species, with the increase of pH; and the presence of ethanol disrupted the formation of this strong fluorescent citrate-Cu²⁺ complex species. This provides fresh insight into the molecular basis of fluorescence characters of citrate-Cu²⁺ complex, and into the microscopic mechanisms of charges’ and polarity’s effect on the interaction between solutes within the multiple component solution. This study reveals a fresh theoretical understanding of citrate for Cu²⁺ ion detection, stabilization, and elimination.

Jianshu Dong*

Cong Han

Jian Li

Xinli Ma

Piaopiao Zhu

Green Chem. Technol.

2026,

(3), 10021;

DOI: 10.70322/gct.2026.10021

Open Access

Article

09 June 2026

Leaching Characteristics of Spent Carbon Anode in Alkaline System: Thermodynamics, Kinetics, Ion Forms, and Phase Transformation

With the rapid development of the aluminium electrolysis industry, large amounts of lithium-containing electrolyte residue are generated, posing environmental risks and wasting lithium resources. This study proposes an efficient lithium leaching method from spent carbon anode (SCA) electrolytic aluminium carbon slag using NaOH. The leaching rate of lithium reaches 89.46% at a NaOH concentration of 10 mol/L, a leaching temperature of 90 °C, and a leaching time of 2 h. Thermodynamic calculations concluded that during alkaline leaching, most phases in SCA can react spontaneously with NaOH to release soluble ions. The kinetic results suggested that the leaching behavior of Li⁺ follows the ‘unreacted shrinkage nucleus model’, controlled by both mixing and diffusion. NaOH concentration and leaching temperature are the key factors governing the effectiveness of Li⁺ leaching. Medusa simulations showed that the dissociated Al³⁺ in alkaline leach solution would first form an Al(OH)₃ complex and continue to react with OH⁻ to form Al(OH)₄⁻, while lithium exists in the form of Li⁺ and LiOH. Mechanistic analysis via SEM-EDS and XRD indicates that NaOH breaks Na–Al–F bonds, releasing Li⁺ and forming NaF. This approach offers an eco-friendly pathway for resource recovery from SCA, supporting cryolite regeneration and minimizing the environmental impacts of hazardous waste.

Yonghong Qin*

Xiaodi Niu

Xianglin Li

Yujiao Liu

Zihe Pan

Jianming Gao

Yanxia Guo

Xinran Zhu*

Green Chem. Technol.

2026,

(3), 10020;

DOI: 10.70322/gct.2026.10020

Open Access

Review

29 May 2026

Immobilization Strategies of Cyclodextrins on Ferrimagnetic Nanoparticles for Dye Water Remediation: A Review

This paper provides a comprehensive review of the synthesis, use, and advantages of cyclodextrin-derivatized ferrimagnetic nanoparticles for the removal of textile dyes from natural waters. Dyes make their way into natural water systems and affect ecosystems and human health. Water soluble natural cyclodextrins (CD) are able to include dyes into their hydrophobic cavities. To extract the pollutant from water, the host molecules need to be tethered to insoluble supports, such as magnetic nanoparticles, making possible the extraction of the pollutant from the water using a simple magnet. Thus, after washing treatment, the pollutant is extracted, and the support is regenerated for a new remediation cycle. We report herein the synthetic strategies to immobilize β-cyclodextrin onto magnetic nanoparticles MNP@CD using weak to strong bindings, and the analytical methods used to characterize and monitor their effectiveness. Hydroxyl groups present on the CD scaffold can chelate iron cores by coprecipitation, solvothermal reaction, polymerization, carboxylic acid coordination, and silica bonding. An assessment of various dye adsorption capacities of MNP@CD is reported, spanning a range of 3 orders of magnitude, from 2.38 to 2780 mg of dye/g. The recyclability of the magnetic nanoparticles, with excellent removal rates of 90% after a few cycles, is also discussed.

Géraldine Gouhier*

Cécile Barbot

Brian D. Wagner

Green Chem. Technol.

2026,

(3), 10019;

DOI: 10.70322/gct.2026.10019

Open Access

Review

22 May 2026

Driving Factors of Copper Surface Restructuring During Electrochemical CO₂ Reduction

Copper (Cu) is a uniquely versatile catalyst whose performance in reactions, such as the electrochemical CO₂ reduction reaction (CO₂RR) is intimately linked to the dynamic evolution of its surface under operating conditions. Rather than remaining structurally static, Cu undergoes continuous surface restructuring, forming new morphologies, facets, and defect structures that differ significantly from the as-prepared material. These transformations strongly influence catalytic activity and selectivity, yet the mechanisms governing them remain poorly understood. As a result, Cu surface restructuring has emerged as a “black box” phenomenon in electrocatalysis, marked by contradictory interpretations and a lack of predictive control. In this review, we examine six major factors proposed to drive Cu surface restructuring: (i) adsorbed hydroxyl species, (ii) applied potential, (iii) adsorbed CO intermediates, (iv) surface oxidation, (v) electrolyte composition, and (vi) current density. We discuss how each factor can modify surface energetics, atomic mobility, and local reaction environments, while emphasizing that these influences rarely act independently.

Naeem Ahmed*

Green Chem. Technol.

2026,

(3), 10018;

DOI: 10.70322/gct.2026.10018

Open Access

Article

18 May 2026

Solar−Driven Antibiotic Ciprofloxacin Elimination by Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂ and Biotoxicity Evaluation of Degradation Process on Aquatic Organisms and Bean Seedling

Photocatalytic degradation of antibiotic molecules has great significance in environmental pollution control. Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂ with a layered structure is one of the emerging visible−light−responsive photocatalysts. However, the environmental effects of antibiotic degradation have not received sufficient attention. This study employed plate−like Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂ derived from Na₂Ti₃O₇ nanowires for ciprofloxacin (CIP) degradation, and investigated the biotoxicity of degradation products on aquatic organisms and plant seedlings. It was found that an appropriate hydrothermal treatment time with ethylene glycol could slightly enhance the photocatalytic performance of Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂, and this might be attributed to the increased density of active sites resulting from the regulation of microstructure. Concurrently, the degradation products of CIP were detected and predicted for biotoxicity; the effects of the CIP degradation residual solution on the growth of peas, wheat, and zebrafish larvae were also investigated. Under the present experimental conditions, the Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂−24h photocatalyst−involved CIP degradation process could reduce the biotoxicity of the CIP solution (40 mg/L) and exhibit low toxicity to several individual organisms, including some actual plants and animals.

Bingwen Hu

Kefan Chen

Jialiang Wu

Gang Cheng*

Green Chem. Technol.

2026,

(3), 10017;

DOI: 10.70322/gct.2026.10017

Open Access

Article

10 March 2026

Solvent-Centric Sustainability Framework for Pharmaceutical Process Chemistry: Integrated Metrics, Circularity, and Digital Tools Demonstrated Through a Sertraline Case Study

Solvents dominate mass input, energy demand, and environmental impact in pharmaceutical manufacturing, yet solvent selection and recovery are often evaluated using fragmented or non-comparable metrics. Here, we present a solvent-centric sustainability framework that integrates mass-based indicators with life-cycle and energy metrics to enable transparent comparison of conventional and redesigned solvent systems. The framework harmonizes Process Mass Intensity (PMI), circular PMI (cPMI), Global Warming Potential (GWP), and Cumulative Energy Demand (CED) within consistent cradle-to-gate system boundaries, supported by literature-derived data, machine-learning (ML) models, and digital-twin–based sustainability assessment tools. The methodology is demonstrated using Sertraline as a representative solvent-intensive active pharmaceutical ingredient (API). A simplified, literature-based synthesis route contextualizes solvent use across key reaction and isolation steps. Targeted solvent substitutions—most notably replacement of tetrahydrofuran, chlorinated solvents, and dipolar aprotic media with 2-methyltetrahydrofuran and ethanol-based systems—are evaluated alongside enhanced solvent recovery and catalytic hydrogenation. Relative to the solvent-dominant subsequence of the synthesis (PMI ≈ 78 kg·kg⁻¹ API), for which detailed solvent mass-balance data are available, the redesigned solvent strategy reduces PMI to approximately 45 kg·kg⁻¹ API, achieves a cPMI of 6–10 at ≥80% solvent recovery, and consistently decreases GWP and CED. By explicitly mapping solvent redesign outcomes to the 12 Principles of Green Chemistry, this study demonstrates how solvent-focused interventions, supported by predictive digital tools with excellent agreement between modelled and empirical trends, can deliver substantial sustainability improvements without modifying the underlying synthetic route or relying on proprietary process data. While not intended as an industrial benchmark, the Sertraline case study illustrates how harmonized metrics, life-cycle thinking, and AI-enabled digital assessment can support evidence-based solvent selection and sustainability-oriented process development in API manufacturing.

Isak Rajjak Shaikh*

Maimuna Mujeeb Shaikh

Green Chem. Technol.

2026,

(2), 10007;

DOI: 10.70322/gct.2026.10007

Open Access

Article

12 August 2024

Comparative Study: Biodegradable Chelating Agents vs. Aqua Regia for Extraction of Indispensable Elements from Pyrite Ore of Bagrot, Gilgit Baltistan

This study investigates the optimization of metal extraction from Bagrot pyrite ore, with a focus on gold recovery. Initial characterization using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) provided a comprehensive elemental profile of the ore. Fire assaying was employed to establish a baseline gold concentration. Systematic leaching experiments were conducted, varying parameters such as reaction time, temperature, and stirring speed, and the results were analyzed using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). Among the chelating agents tested Ethylenediamine N-N′ disuccinic acid (EDDS), Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), and Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) only limited efficacy in gold extraction was observed. In contrast, ammonium thiosulfate demonstrated substantial potential for effective gold recovery. Mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT) and N,N-Dimethylglycine (DMG) were determined to be ineffective for metal leaching under the tested conditions. This research highlights the critical role of reagent selection and parameter optimization in enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of gold extraction processes, positioning ammonium thiosulfate as a promising alternative to traditional cyanide-based methods.

Muhammad Sharif

Ahmad Raza*

Qasim Raza

Kacho Basit Ali Khan

Wajahat Ali

Green Chem. Technol.

2024,

(1), 10002;

DOI: 10.35534/gct.2024.10002

Open Access

Review

23 October 2024

Chemical Recycling and Upcycling of Waste Plastics: A Review

The indiscriminate disposal of plastic waste represents a significant environmental hazard. Conventional remediation techniques, such as landfilling and incineration, also encounter limitations and are unable to adequately address the pollution issue. Chemical recycling and upcycling represent an effective method for the degradation of plastics into oligomers and subsequent transformation into other product substances. This review provides an overview of the various chemical treatment methods currently in use, from the earliest thermal degradation techniques to the emerging strategies. The conventional techniques for thermal degradation of discarded plastics frequently encounter difficulties due to the necessity for elevated temperatures, substantial energy consumption, and the generation of a heterogeneous product mixture. Significant advances have been made in the fields of catalytic solvolysis, hydrotreating, and oxidative cleavage for the recycling and upcycling of plastics under mild conditions. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the chemical treatment methods currently employed for plastics, with a particular focus on the principles and current developments, as well as the reaction mechanisms involved. Additionally, it offers a detailed introduction to various advanced catalytic technologies and the catalysts utilized. Finally, it presents prospective outlooks for different methods, based on their current development status and the gap between actual needs.

Zequn Tang

Gang Xiao*

Zishuai Wang

Yilin Zhao

Haijia Su*

Green Chem. Technol.

2024,

(1), 10003;

DOI: 10.70322/gct.2024.10003

Open Access

Article

20 April 2026

Zr-Doped Ru-Based Catalyst for Highly Active and Durable Acidic Oxygen Evolution Reaction

Developing an oxygen evolution reaction catalyst that exhibits both high catalytic activity and robust stability in acidic media remains a significant challenge to date. In this work, a RuZrO_x/Ti-1 catalyst was successfully constructed on a Ti mesh substrate via a facile one-step pyrolysis method. Physical characterization reveals that the as-prepared RuZrO_x/Ti-1 catalyst exhibits a densely packed nanosphere morphology on its surface, accompanied by abundant pores, which can provide a rich interface for the oxygen evolution reaction. The RuZrO_x/Ti-1 catalyst achieves a low overpotential of only 199 mV for the OER at a current density of 10 mA·cm⁻² and demonstrates excellent long-term durability, operating stably for 400 h at this current density. In summary, this work provides a viable strategy for designing high-performance acidic OER catalysts, thereby paving the way for the advancement of electrodes for water oxidation.

Ju Zhang

Junli Wang

Ruidong Xu*

Xuanbing Wang*

Green Chem. Technol.

2026,

(3), 10013;

DOI: 10.70322/gct.2026.10013

Open Access

Review

20 January 2025

Adsorption and High-Value Transformation of Volatile Fatty Acids from Microbial Fermentation Products: A Review

To mitigate the aforementioned global environmental issues, the concept of carbon capture and storage is crucial in addressing the necessity for carbon peaking and carbon neutrality. The buildup of volatile fatty acids during anaerobic fermentation is a primary factor contributing to the suboptimal performance or outright failure of anaerobic digestion systems. In response to the pressing demand for volatile organic acid recovery and high-value conversion, we primarily outlined the sources, recovery techniques, adsorption materials, and methods for high-value conversion of volatile fatty acids. The methods of adsorbing volatile acetic acid were presented, encompassing adsorption materials, mechanisms, and interfacial modifications of the adsorbent. Furthermore, drawing from recent research advancements, we have synthesized the high-value conversion techniques for volatile fatty acids and evaluated the research challenges and future prospects in this domain.

Heyuan Zhao

Yilin Zhao*

Yaoqiang Wang

Gang Xiao

Haijia Su*

Green Chem. Technol.

2025,

(1), 10001;

DOI: 10.70322/gct.2025.10001

Open Access

Article

14 November 2024

The Discovering of Rapid Formation La(OH)₃ from LaH₃

It was found that the single crystal of LaH₃ specimen with $${Fm\overline{3}m}$$ (No.225) will decompose into powders within 24 h, which is later characterized to be La(OH)₃ by single crystal X-ray diffraction (SXRD) measurements. The discovery motivates the examination of three possible transition paths by comparing formation enthalpy with first-principles calculations and employing a custom- designed hydrogen detection setup. Furthermore, the most suitable adsorption position of O₂ molecules on the (111) surfaces has been investigated by comparing the adsorption enthalpy from different candidate positions by utilizing first-principles calculations, implying the pivotal role of O₂ molecules played in the rapid formation of La(OH)₃ along the optimal transition path.

Xinyue Zhu

Bin Wen

Changzeng Fan*

Lifeng Zhang*

Green Chem. Technol.

2024,

(1), 10005;

DOI: 10.70322/gct.2024.10005

Open Access

Review

06 December 2024

Recent Progress of High Safety Separator for Lithium-Ion Battery

With the rapid increase in quantity and expanded application range of lithium-ion batteries, their safety problems are becoming much more prominent, and it is urgent to take corresponding safety measures to improve battery safety. Generally, the improved safety of lithium-ion battery materials will reduce the risk of thermal runaway explosion. The separator is a key component of lithium-ion batteries. It plays a crucial role in battery safety, serving as one of the most effective measures against internal short circuits.Separator failure is a direct cause of the thermal runaway and can be specifically divided into three categories: puncture, melting, and thermal shrinkage. The requirements for an ideal lithium-ion battery separator have a synergistic effect on the electrochemical performance, safety, and scalability of lithium-ion batteries. Focus on the separator, this review summaries the mechanism of separator in thermal runaway process, and reports the recent progress of high safety separator from the perspective of material preparation.

Xin Chen*

Tao Duan

Liangbin Li*

Green Chem. Technol.

2024,

(1), 10006;

DOI: 10.70322/gct.2024.10006

Open Access

Article

07 January 2026

Using a MOF of Wetted Quasi [Zn₄O(bdc)₃] as Both the Battery Separator and the Electrolyte to Prepare All-Solid-State Batteries of Both ASS-LTO/Li and ASS-Gr/Li

For the first time, a well-defined all-solid-state lithium battery (denoted as ASS-LTO/Li) assembled by an electrode of lithium titanate (Li₄Ti₅O₁₂, LTO), a metal-organic framework (MOF) of wetted quasi [Zn₄O(bdc)₃] and a metallic lithium foil is prepared in this work, in which the wetted quasi [Zn₄O(bdc)₃] is not only employed as a separator but also used as the solid-state electrolyte. The initial charge and discharge capacities of the as-prepared ASS-LTO/Li at 0.2 C are as high as 187.4 and 286.4 mAh·g⁻¹, respectively, corresponding to a Coulombic efficiency of about 65.4%. More importantly, the discharge capacity of ASS-LTO/Li after 100 cycles at 1 C is still as high as 125 mAh·g⁻¹. After a thorough characterization, the greatly attenuated CV peak area, the evidently increased charge transfer resistance, as well as the decomposition of the quais [Zn₄O(bdc)₃] during cycling, are analyzed to be the main reasons providing the ASS-LTO/Li with an evident decay of the electrochemical performance in the long-term test of 100 cycles at 1 C. An all-solid-state battery (denoted as ASS-Gr/Li) that is constructed by a pure graphite electrode (abbreviated as Gr), a wetted quasi [Zn₄O(bdc)₃], and a metallic lithium foil is also prepared in this work. The initial discharge capacity of ASS-Gr/Li at 0.2 A·g⁻¹ is about 169 mAh·g⁻¹, a value evidently lower than the theoretical value of graphite (372 mAh·g⁻¹). The discharge capacity of ASS-Gr/Li at 1.0 A·g⁻¹ is about 24 mAh·g⁻¹, which decreases to about 12 mAh·g⁻¹ after 100 cycles. Although the battery performances of the above two newly developed batteries are poor as compared to the state-of-the-art all-solid-state lithium batteries reported recently, this work sheds light on a novel approach for the further exploration of all-solid-state lithium battery.

Keqiang Ding*

Yiqing Chen

Jiawen Bao

Qian Zhao

Mengqing Niu

Wanting Shi

Hui Wang

Green Chem. Technol.

2026,

(1), 10001;

DOI: 10.70322/gct.2026.10001

Open Access

Article

17 March 2025

Experimental Study on A Novel Organic/Inorganic Green Deep Eutectic Solvents: Thermophysical Properties, Thermal Stability, and Utilization in Nanofluids

In response to the performance limitations of traditional heat transfer fluids under extreme conditions, a series of organic/inorganic deep eutectic solvents (DES), composed of ethylene glycol and different types of acetates, have been developed, and their downstream thermophysical properties, as well as their potential applications in nanofluids, have been explored. It is found that the prepared DESs significantly broaden the liquid phase temperature range, which ranges from −14~196 °C to −40~201 °C. The initial decomposition temperature increases from 85 °C to 130 °C, and the peak decomposition rate shifts from 175 °C to 206 °C. Subsequently, nanofluids were prepared by employing the selected ethylene glycol: potassium acetate-5:1 DES with carbon nanotube as nanofiller. The results reveal that the thermal conductivity of the nanofluid could be increased by approximately 3% compared to the base fluid, and the specific heat capacity was enhanced by 7.5% with a photothermal conversion efficiency reaching up to 42.7%. These results highlight the promising thermal stability and heat transfer properties of ethylene glycol-acetate DESs. Moreover, the nanofluids prepared from those DESs as base fluids provide useful references for the development of novel, green, and high-efficiency energy transportation fluids.

Xiao Zhang

Xinqian Du

Jiahuan He

Pei Liu

Wenbo Huang

Guangyuan Liang

Haolin Gan

Jiateng Zhao

Changhui Liu*

Green Chem. Technol.

2025,

(2), 10003;

DOI: 10.70322/gct.2025.10003

Open Access

Communication

30 December 2024

Magnetic Solid Phase Extraction of Paeonol and Paeonoflorin from Moutan Bark with Magnetic Graphene Oxide

Herbal medicine plays an important role in modern medicine and separation of the active ingredients from herbal medicine is vital for convenient and safe usage. Paeonol and paeonoflorin are the active ingredients in the widely used herbal medicine of moutan bark. In this study, the composite of graphene oxide-Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles (GO-Fe₃O₄) was synthesized and used as a magnetic absorbent to extract paeonol and paeonoflorin from the herbal medicine of moutan bark. The adsorption of paeonol and paeoniflorin on GO-Fe₃O₄ rapidly reached equilibrium (within 10 min) due to the high absorption capability of GO. Thermodynamics and kinetics for the absorption process were studied. The optimal condition for the elution of the target compound from GO-Fe₃O₄ was the use of 2 mL of a mixed solvent (methanol and dichloromethane, 1:1 by volume) with 0.2% formic acid for 5 min. The GO-Fe₃O₄ adsorbent possesses the advantages of rapid adsorption and convenient separation. GO-Fe₃O₄ can be used over 6 times without losing absorbing capacity. This method is efficient, convenient and rapid, thus possesses a high potential for the separation of active ingredients from herbal medicine.

Jiangui Jiang

Manman Liu

Xiongjie Hu

Ruan Chi

Junxia Yu

Qingbiao Zhao*

Green Chem. Technol.

2025,

(1), 10009;

DOI: 10.70322/gct.2024.10009

Open Access

Review

06 December 2024

Recent Progress of High Safety Separator for Lithium-Ion Battery

Xin Chen*

Tao Duan

Liangbin Li*

Green Chem. Technol.

2024,

(1), 10006;

DOI: 10.70322/gct.2024.10006

Open Access

Review

23 October 2024

Chemical Recycling and Upcycling of Waste Plastics: A Review

Zequn Tang

Gang Xiao*

Zishuai Wang

Yilin Zhao

Haijia Su*

Green Chem. Technol.

2024,

(1), 10003;

DOI: 10.70322/gct.2024.10003

Open Access

Review

20 January 2025

Adsorption and High-Value Transformation of Volatile Fatty Acids from Microbial Fermentation Products: A Review

Heyuan Zhao

Yilin Zhao*

Yaoqiang Wang

Gang Xiao

Haijia Su*

Green Chem. Technol.

2025,

(1), 10001;

DOI: 10.70322/gct.2025.10001

Open Access

Review

07 August 2025

Progress in the Study of Transition Metal-Based Carbon Nanotube Composites for Electrochemical Hydrogen Evolution

Hydrogen is an efficient, clean, and economical energy source, primarily due to its remarkably high energy density. Electrolytic water is considered an attractive and feasible method for hydrogen production. The high cost and scarcity of traditional Pt-based catalysts limit their large-scale application. Transition metals (TMs)-based composites, particularly those integrated with carbon nanotubes (CNTs), have emerged as promising alternatives due to their high conductivity, surface area, and ability to enhance the catalytic properties of TMs. Currently, there is no systematic summary of TMs-based CNTs composites for electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). In this review, the main synthesis methods, including the wet chemical method, chemical vapor deposition, and electrochemical techniques, were first summarized. Then, the latest advancements of TMs/CNTs composites, focusing on their structure, electronic properties and superior HER catalytic performance, were systematically discussed. The catalytic mechanisms are meticulously examined, with particular emphasis on the pivotal role of CNTs in enhancing charge transfer and stabilizing metal nanoparticles. Finally, this review addresses the current challenges and future development directions for HER catalysts.utf-8

Jiahao Zhou

Liyan Zheng

Li Jia

Yuchen Yue

Qian Zhang

Guifu Zuo*

Green Chem. Technol.

2025,

(3), 10012;

DOI: 10.70322/gct.2025.10012

Open Access

Review

03 September 2025

Defect Engineering in Carbon-Based Metal-Free Catalysts: Active Sites, Reduction Mechanisms, and 3D Architectures for Sustainable 4-Nitrophenol Reduction

Nitrophenols (NPs), classified as priority pollutants due to their significant toxicity, persistence, and bioaccumulation potential, pose severe threats to ecosystems and human health. Catalytic reduction, particularly the conversion of NPs like 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) to less toxic aminophenols using sodium borohydride (NaBH₄), represents a promising remediation strategy. While conventional metal-based catalysts face limitations including high cost, poor durability, and potential metal leaching, carbon-based metal-free catalysts (C-MFCs) have emerged as highly efficient, sustainable, and cost-effective alternatives. However, the precise reaction mechanisms governing NP reduction over C-MFCs remain ambiguous, and significant debate surrounds the nature of the active sites and the structure-activity relationships dictating performance. This review systematically elucidates the catalytic sites and associated reduction mechanisms in C-MFCs. We comprehensively summarize design principles centered on defect engineering strategies, encompassing single-atom (N, S, B, P, O), dual-atom (B,N; N,S; N,P), and tri-atom (B,N,F; N,P,F) doping, alongside non-doping defects such as edge and pore defects. The critical structure-performance relationships linking these engineered active sites to catalytic activity (e.g., turnover frequency, TOF) are analyzed, integrating experimental evidence and theoretical insights. Furthermore, strategies for constructing three-dimensional architectures to enhance active site accessibility and catalyst stability are highlighted. This work provides fundamental insights to guide the rational design of next-generation high-performance C-MFCs for sustainable nitrophenol pollution control.utf-8

Xiaoben Yang

Qianglin Li*

Ling Wu

Binghua Zhou

Zhipeng Wang

Zhenghong Huang

Mingxi Wang*

Green Chem. Technol.

2025,

(4), 10015;

DOI: 10.70322/gct.2025.10015

Open Access

Article

21 February 2025

Efficient Removal of Glyphosate from Aqueous Solution by Cerium Dioxide Loaded Biochar

Glyphosate, which is one of the most widely used organophosphorus herbicides, poses a threat to the surrounding water environment. Traditional adsorbents were depicted to have poor capacities to eliminate it. CeO₂ embraces the potential to adsorb glyphosate efficiently. However, suitable carbonaceous composites were necessary to be employed as its support. In this paper, water hyacinth was used as the precursor to prepare CeO₂-loaded biochar (CeO₂/WHBC), which was employed to remove glyphosate from the aqueous solution via adsorption. The results showed that CeO₂/WHBC-3 illustrated the best adsorption performance for glyphosate with the capacity of 126.3 mg·g, which was prepared with per mmol CeO₂ loaded of 0.2 g WHCB. Static adsorption experiments demonstrated that glyphosate adsorption at different solution pH values followed the Langmuir isotherm model and quasi-second order kinetic model, indicating that the adsorption was monolayer adsorption and that the adsorbent’s surface active sites primarily controlled the rate. Coexisting ion interference experiments showed that common cations (K⁺, Na⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺) and anions (Cl⁻, NO₃⁻, SO₄²⁻) both promoted glyphosate adsorption on the CeO₂/WHBC-3 surface. Moreover, the prepared sorbent maintained a high adsorption capacity after five adsorption-desorption cycles. Dynamic adsorption experiments showed that the CeO₂/WHBC-3 packed column could efficiently remove glyphosate from aqueous solutions, even at high concentrations and fast flow rates. Zeta potentials and XPS analysis revealed that the adsorption mechanism of CeO₂/WHBC-3 for glyphosate is mainly through electrostatic adsorption and metal complexation.utf-8

Bo Zuo

Ruipu Wang

Jia Wang*

Junxia Yu*

Xiaodi Li

Li Guo

Yuchi Chen

Qingbiao Zhao

Chunqiao Xiao

Ruan Chi

Green Chem. Technol.

2025,

(1), 10002;

DOI: 10.70322/gct.2025.10002

Open Access

Article

17 December 2024

Upcycling of Waste Poly(ethylene terephthalate) into 2,4-Pyridine Dicarboxylic Acid by a Tandem Chemo-Microbial Process

This study presents a chemo-microbial cascade process for the upcycling of waste poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) into valuable compound 2,4-pyridine dicarboxylic acid (2,4-PDCA). Initially, waste PET undergoes efficient hydrolysis to terephthalic acid (TPA) with a high yield of 92.36%, catalyzed by p-toluenesulfonic acid (PTSA). The acid catalyst exhibits excellent reusability, maintaining activity over five cycles. Subsequently, a one-pot, two-step whole-cell conversion system utilizing genetically modified Escherichia coli strains (E. coli PCA and E. coli 2,4-PDCA) converts the generated TPA into 2,4-PDCA. By integrating the PET hydrolysis module with the 2,4-PDCA biosynthesis module, the study achieves an impressive overall efficiency of 94.01% in converting challenging PET waste into valuable 2,4-PDCA. Our research presents a rational design strategy for PET upcycling and 2,4-PDCA synthesis methods. This research provides a systematic approach to PET upcycling, demonstrating its feasibility and potential for industrial application.utf-8

Zishuai Wang

Gang Xiao*

Yifan Lu

Haijia Su*

Green Chem. Technol.

2025,

(1), 10008;

DOI: 10.70322/gct.2024.10008

Open Access

Article

17 March 2025

Experimental Study on A Novel Organic/Inorganic Green Deep Eutectic Solvents: Thermophysical Properties, Thermal Stability, and Utilization in Nanofluids

Xiao Zhang

Xinqian Du

Jiahuan He

Pei Liu

Wenbo Huang

Guangyuan Liang

Haolin Gan

Jiateng Zhao

Changhui Liu*

Green Chem. Technol.

2025,

(2), 10003;

DOI: 10.70322/gct.2025.10003

Open Access

Article

19 June 2025

Antifungal and Antibacterial Activity of Lathyrus aphaca L. Mediated Green Synthesized CdS Nanoparticles and Their Characterization

Cadmium Sulfide nanoparticles (CdS-LA hybrid nanoparticles) were synthesized here by a green approach using the precursor cadmium acetate and sodium sulphide along with the extract of a plant Lathyrus aphaca L. containing the phytochemicals which were responsible for surface modification of nanoparticles. The nanoparticle was used to evaluate their inhibition potential against species of bacteria and fungi. The nanoparticles were characterized by XRD, which demonstrates the hexagonal crystal structure. SEM confirms the homogenous surface appearance of the CdS-LA hybrid crystalline structure. EDX analysis confirms surface modification of nanoparticles by phytochemicals. FTIR confirmed the Cd-S linkage laterally with the related functional groups and the presence of metabolites on the surface of nanoparticles. The UV-visible spectroscopy confirmed the peak at the characteristic wavelength range, but a slight shift occurred in the peak of the CdS nanoparticles due to the presence of the phytochemicals. This study particularly provides an environment-friendly strategy to synthesize the CdS nanoparticles capped by Lathyrus aphaca L. extract that are biologically active due to the mediation of the plant extract. CdS-LA hybrid nanoparticles have shown inhibition potential against various species of bacteria and fungi and realize the biological importance of the green synthesis of nanoparticles especially mediated with the plant extract.utf-8

Shah Faisal

Naveed Akhtar*

Himayat Ullah

Muhammad Akif

Istikhar Khan

Fawad Ali

Numan Zada Khan Mohmand*

Green Chem. Technol.

2025,

(2), 10007;

DOI: 10.70322/gct.2025.10007

Open Access

Review

01 November 2024

Waste Resin Derived Carbon Materials for Sodium-Ion Batteries

As the environmental issues caused by waste resin become increasingly severe, there is an urgent need to develop ways to handle it in a high-value and harmless manner. Turning waste resin into functional carbon materials is a realizable and promising scheme, which could be a trigger to carry forward emerging sustainable battery technologies and applications. However, there are few review articles about the basics and research progress of the waste resin derived carbon materials for sodium-ion batteries. This review article provides a brief overview mainly about resin recycling and the potential usage of the resultant carbon materials for sodium-ion batteries. Specifically, we show the potential improvements in existing research, focusing on utilization of the waste as well as the significance of new routes for resin recycling. This work offers insights for the design of sustainable carbon materials for battery systems.utf-8

Junjie Tian

Zinan Wu

Guo-Ming Weng*

Green Chem. Technol.

2024,

(1), 10004;

DOI: 10.70322/gct.2024.10004

Green Chemical Technology Open Access

Editors-in-Chief Editorial Board

Prof. Dr. Ru-an Chi

Prof. Dr. Christian M. Julien

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