A new,sustainable process for synthesis of ethylene glycol

In conventional heterogeneous catalytic process, the activation of C-H bond remains a grand challenge. It is even more difficult to activate the inert C-H bond with other functional groups （e.g. OH） in the same molecule, remaining intact [1]. Although the transformation of C1 species （e.g. CO, CO2, CH4 and CH3OH） into C2 molecules （e.g. C2H4, C2HsOH and HOCH2CH2OH） via C-C coupling has been a hot research topic but the yield of aimed product is still needed to be improved. Ethylene glycol （EG） is a versatile chemical with many important applications, in particular for the manufacture of polyesters, predominantly poly（ethylene terephthalate） [2]. Recently, Wang, Deng and co-workers at Xiamen University cleverly designed a new process for the conversion of methanol to ethylene glycol, in which the EG selectivity can reach 90% （Eq. （1）） [3].

Heterogeneous catalytic partial oxidation of lower alkanes(C_1–C_6) on mixed metal oxides

This review paper aims at analysing the state of the art for partial oxidation and oxidative dehydrogenation（ODH） reactions of lower alkanes C–Cinto olefins and oxygenated products（aldehydes, anhydrides,carboxylic acids） on metal oxide catalysts with cations of variable oxidation state, such as Mo and V in particular. Key parameters to be met by the catalysts, such as their redox properties, their structural aspects, active sites composed of ensembles of atoms isolated one from the others, mechanisms of reactions, are discussed. Main features of the different reactions of C–Calkanes and catalysts are analysed and their generalisation for determining more active and more selective catalysts is attempted. Prospective views for the future of the domain are proposed.

COMPLEXITY OF VALUE CREATION IN SUSTAINABLE BUILDING DESIGN(SBD)

Value creation is a significant part of the sustainable building process.To understand the process of value creation,this paper identifies a number of important issues.First,the paper addresses the existence of and identifies reasons for com-plexity in the process of value creation over a whole lifecycle(WLC).Then,a conceptual framework model is developed and adapted to the WLC in order to monitor building process stages and intervals.Next,the concepts and strategies lead-ing to WLC value maximization are addressed.Finally,a conceptual WLC value creation model is proposed that is based on sustainable building process stages and building asset stakeholders’benefits.The paper indicates how value cre-ated is an accumulation of values acquired through various operations over the building WLC.

Imprinted membranes for sustainable separation processes

The rapid industrial growth and the necessity of recovering and recycling raw materials increased the interest in the production of highly selective and efficient separation tools.In this perspective,a relevant input was given by the membrane-based technology and the production of imprinted membranes,which possess specific recognition properties at molecular and ionic level,offers the possibility of developing sustainable and green processes.Furthermore,the integration of imprinted membranes with traditional or membrane-based approaches is a promising strategy in the logic of process intensification,which means the combination of different operations in a single apparatus.This work discusses the concept and separation mechanisms of imprinted membranes.Furthermore,it presents an overview of their application in organic solvent nanofiltration,for the removal of toxic agents and recovery solvent,as well as valuable compounds.The recent advances in water treatment,such as pesticide removal and recovery of metal ions,are also discussed.Finally,potential applications of imprinted membranes in hybrid processes are highlighted,and a look into the future of membrane separations for water treatment and recovery of critical raw materials is offered.

Supercritical fluid technology as a sustainable alternative method for textile dyeing:An approach on waste,energy,and CO_(2)emission reduction

The clothing industry is considered one of the most polluting industries on the planet due to the high consumption of water,energy,chemicals/dyes,and high generation of solid waste and effluents.Faced with environmental concerns,the textile ennoblement sector is the most critical of the textile production chain,especially the traditional dyeing processes.As an alternative to current problems,dyeing with supercritical CO_(2)(scCO_(2))has been presented as a clean and efficient process for a sustainable textile future.Supercritical fluid dyeing(SFD)has shown a growing interest due to its significant impact on environmental preservation and social,economic,and financial gains.The main SFD benefits include economy and reuse of non-adsorbed dyes;reduction of process time and energy expenditure;capture of atmospheric CO_(2)(greenhouse gas);use and recycling of CO_(2)in SFD;generation of carbon credits;water-free process;effluent-free process;reduction of CO_(2)emission and auxiliary chemicals.Despite being still a non-scalable and evolving technology,SFD is the future of dyeing.This review presented a comprehensive overview of the environmental impacts caused by traditional processes and confronted the advantages of SFD.The SFD technique was introduced,along with its latest advances and future perspectives.Financial and environmental gains were also discussed.

Sustainable preparation and characterization of thermally stable and functional cellulose nanocrystals and nanofibrils via formic acid hydrolysis

In this work,a sustainable method to prepare functional cellulose nanocrystals(CNCs)and cellulose nanofibrils(CNFs)using formic acid(FA)(a recoverable organic acid)was established.After FA hydrolysis,the obtained CNCs could be well dispersed in DMAC.Thus,the CNC products and fibrous cellulosic solid residue(FCSR)in DMAC could be easily separated by a conventional centrifugal process,and the collected FCSR could be further fibrillated to CNFs with relatively low-intensity mechanical fibrillation process.The isolated CNC products showed high crystallinity index(about 75%)and excellent thermal stability(with onset thermal degradation temperature of 325℃).Both the resultant CNCs and CNFs showed better dispersibility in DMSO,DMF and DMAC respectively because of the introduction of ester groups on the surface of the products.The presence of surface ester groups could increase the interface compatibility of nanocelluloses with polymeric matrices and enable their applications in reinforcing polymeric matrix materials(e.g.the composite films like PHVB+CNFs).