The Front Cover shows that a suitably regulated interface between Co₃O₄ and β-Mo₂C can boost the electrocatalytic performance of water oxidation. The β-Mo₂C support in the Co₃O₄@β-Mo₂C composite has the capability to activate water molecules. By comparing three Co₃O₄@β-Mo₂C composites with different interfaces, it has been shown that the compact interface from β-Mo₂C nanobelt support enhanced the conductivity of the composite and regulated the interfacial electron redistribution to promote the electrocatalysis. More information can be found in the Research Article by J. Zhang et al.

Aromatics derived from non-fossil feedstock are essential for a sustainable society. This work investigates the impact of particle size and hierarchy of the zeolite ZSM-5 to yield aromatics during CO₂ hydrogenation over bifunctional (Fe@K/H-ZSM-5) catalytic systems.

Abstract

The CO₂-to-aromatics process is a chemical reaction that converts carbon dioxide (CO₂) into valuable petrochemical, i. e., aromatics (especially, benzene, toluene, and xylene) over the metal/zeolite bifunctional catalytic systems. These aromatics are used in producing plastics, fibers, and other industrial products, which are currently exclusively sourced from fossil-derived feedstocks. The significance of this process lies in its potential to mitigate climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and simultaneously producing valuable chemicals. Consequently, these CO₂-derived aromatics can reduce the reliance on fossil fuels as a source of feedstocks, which can help to promote a more sustainable and circular economy. Owing to the existence of a wider straight channel favoring the aromatization process, zeolite ZSM-5 is extensively used to yield aromatics during CO₂ hydrogenation over bifunctional (metal/zeolite) catalytic systems. To provide a better understanding of this unique property of zeolite ZSM-5, this work investigates the impact of particle size and hierarchy of the zeolite and how these govern the reaction performance and the overall selectivity. As a result, an improved understanding of the zeolite-catalyzed hydrocarbon conversion process has been obtained.

An updated bioeconomy perspective on biobased green chemistry routes to high-purity silicon and silica in the context of societal, economic and environmental trends reshaping chemical productions is presented.

Abstract

This study offers an updated bioeconomy perspective on biobased routes to high-purity silicon and silica in the context of the societal, economic and environmental trends reshaping chemical processes. We summarize the main aspects of the green chemistry technologies capable of transforming current production methods. Coincidentally, we discuss selected industrial and economic aspects. Finally, we offer perspectives of how said technologies could/will reshape current chemical and energy production.

One stone kills two birds: Sustainable polyvinyl chloride-derived soft carbon anodes were developed for potassium-ion batteries. The microstructure and electrochemical performances of this soft carbon could be tuned by altering the carbonization temperatures. Adsorption-intercalation mechanism is verified by in situ Raman spectroscopy.

Abstract

Soft carbon is a promising anode material for potassium-ion batteries due to its favorable properties such as low cost, high conductivity, stable capacity, and low potential platform. Polyvinyl chloride, as a white pollutant, is a soft carbon precursor that can be carbonized at varying temperatures to produce soft carbons with controllable defect and crystal structures. This work investigates the effect of carbonization temperature on the crystalline structures of the obtained soft carbons. In situ Raman spectroscopy was used to elucidate the adsorption-intercalation charge storage mechanism of potassium ions in soft carbons. Soft carbons prepared at the temperature of 800 °C have a defect-rich, short-range ordered structure, which provides optimal intercalation and adsorption sites for potassium ions, resulting in a satisfactory capacity of 302 mAh g⁻¹. This work presents new possibilities for designing soft carbon materials from recycling plastics for potassium-ion batteries.

Paired electrolysis: Coupling electrocarboxylation, incorporating CO₂ into ketone, imine, and alkene, with alcohol oxidation or oxidative cyanation of amine provides an efficient access to carboxylic acids as well as aldehyde/ketone or α-nitrile amine at the cathode and anode respectively in a divided cell.

Abstract

A parallel paired electrosynthetic method, coupling electrocarboxylation incorporating CO₂ into ketone, imine, and alkene with alcohol oxidation or oxidative cyanation of amine, was developed for the first time. Various carboxylic acids as well as aldehyde/ketone or α-nitrile amine were prepared at the cathode and anode respectively in a divided cell. Its utility and merits on simultaneously achieving high atom-economic CO₂ utilization, elevated faradaic efficiency (FE, total FE of up to 166 %), and broad substrate scope were demonstrated. The preparation of pharmaceutical intermediates for Naproxen and Ibuprofen via this approach proved its potential application in green organic electrosynthesis.

Biomass-derived! A non-acidic mesoporous silica-supported Pt catalyst was developed to produce biomass-derived 5-methylpyrrolidone under room temperature and atmospheric hydrogen. The suitable mesoporous structure created high dispersion of Pt species and accelerated the reaction processes. The isomerization of imine to enamine on the catalyst made this conversion easy under mild conditions.

Abstract

Catalytic conversion of biomass-derived levulinic acid (LA) into high-valued 5-methylpyrrolidones has become an attractive case in studies of biomass utilization. Herein, we developed a disordered mesoporous Pt/MNS catalyst for this reductive amination process under room temperature and atmospheric pressure of hydrogen. The disordered mesoporous structures in support of Pt/MNS catalyst led the formation of highly dispersed Pt species via confinement effect, providing high specific area for enhancing the catalytic sites. With the synergistic effect between highly dispersed Pt species and mesoporous structures, 5-methylpyrrolidones were successfully synthesized from biomass-derived LA and primary amines with high selectivity. Mechanism studies indicated that introducing protonic acid would promote the reductive-amination process, and enamine intermediates could be detected during the in-situ DRIFT tests. Density functional theory (DFT) calculation confirmed that the hydrogenation of enamine intermediate was more accessible than that of imide intermediates, leading the excellent performance of the Pt/MNS catalyst. This work provided a green method to produce 5-methylpyrrolidone and revealed the impact of catalyst structural characteristics on the reaction process.

A multifunctional hierarchical core@double-shell structured LiCoO₂ (MS-LCO) cathode material using a scalable sol–gel method. The MS-LCO cathode material comprised an outer shell with fast lithium-ion conductivity, a La/Zr co-doped inner shell, and a bulk LiCoO₂ core.

Abstract

The practical application of lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO₂) cathodes at high voltages is hindered by the instability of the surface structure and side reactions with the electrolyte. Herein, we prepared a multifunctional hierarchical core@double-shell structured LiCoO₂ (MS-LCO) cathode material using a scalable sol–gel method. The MS-LCO cathode material comprised an outer shell with fast lithium-ion conductivity, a La/Zr co-doped inner shell, and a bulk LiCoO₂ core. The outermost shell prevented direct contact between the electrolyte and LiCoO₂ core, which alleviated the electrolyte decomposition and loss of active cobalt, while the La/Zr co-doped shell improved the structural stability at higher voltages in a half-cell with a liquid electrolyte. The MS-LCO cathode exhibited a stable capacity of 163.1 mAh g⁻¹ after 500 cycles at 0.5 C, and a high specific capacity of 166.8 mAh g⁻¹ at 2 C. In addition, a solid lithium battery with the surface-passivated MS-LCO cathode and a polyethylene oxide (PEO)-based inorganic/organic composite electrolyte retained 85.8 % of its initial discharge capacity after 150 cycles at a charging cutoff voltage of 4.3 V. Thus, the introduction of a surface-passivating shell can effectively suppress the decomposition of PEO caused by highly reactive oxygen species in LiCoO₂ at high voltages.

The Cover Feature shows a mechanical grinding process with the help of metal balls that enable transformation of a planar polyarene into a curved aromatic structure. The illustration was made by Cheryn Liaw Yu Ting. More information can be found in the Research Article by G. Báti, S. Laxmi et al.

Lithium-ion battery anodes are produced in a resource-intensive and polluting manner. This review focuses on biomass-derived graphitic anode materials for lithium-ion batteries that are advancing through innovation in thermochemical catalysis. Future research should focus more on electrochemical performance and less on the structural characteristics of the carbon materials.

Abstract

The demand for electrochemical energy storage is increasing rapidly due to a combination of decreasing costs in renewable electricity, governmental policies promoting electrification, and a desire by the public to decrease CO₂ emissions. Lithium-ion batteries are the leading form of electrochemical energy storage for electric vehicles and the electrical grid. Lithium-ion cell anodes are mostly made of graphite, which is derived from geographically constrained, non-renewable resources using energy-intensive and highly polluting processes. Thus, there is a desire to innovate technologies that utilize abundant, affordable, and renewable carbonaceous materials for the sustainable production of graphite anodes under relatively mild process conditions. This review highlights novel attempts to realize the aforementioned benefits through innovative technologies that convert biocarbon resources, including lignocellulose, into high quality graphite for use in lithium-ion anodes.

The Cover Feature shows bioplastic products generated from chitosan, a material derived from crustaceans, such as crabs. By exploring different green additives, such as glycerol and citric acid, chitosan-based ′plastic′ films were generated. The additives could be grouped by their uptake behavior, namely linear, non-linear, or crosslinking. Lower amounts of additives are deemed most practical, balancing the property enhancement with mechanical stability of the bioplastic films. Using spectroscopy, microscopy and chromatography, we show that the addition of these green additives enables the creation of a diverse range of chitosan-based plastic alternatives, offering alternatives to conventional plastics, ranging from soft flexible materials (e.g., cling film, and medical supplies) to hard, stiff plastics (e.g., bottles, and toys).More information can be found in the Research Article by K. B. Schnabl et al.