RSC Sustainability Blog

We are very pleased to introduce our themed collection on the Circular Economy.

Read the full collection now: https://rsc.li/su-circular

The goal of the Circular Economy is to keep products, components, and materials in use for as long as possible in closed-loop systems, thereby extracting their maximum value and decoupling economic activity from the consumption of finite resources as well as eliminating waste.

This collection contains work relating to broad topics such as Materials and their Design, Resource Recovery, Policy and Sustainable by Design principles, as well as developments that could have implications outside of Chemical Research, such as recycling of waste fashion items or valorisation of food waste and other biomass.

The collection was Guest Edited by:

Vincent Nyamori, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Jiajun (Alice) Fan, University of York, UK
Matthew L. Davies, Swansea University, UK
Manie Vosloo, North-West University, South Africa

Read an Editorial from Matthew L. Davies introducing the collection here:
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5SU90007G

Explore some highlights from the collection, with comments provided by the authors themselves.

2002–2022: 20 years of e-waste regulation in the European Union and the worldwide trends in legislation and innovation technologies for a circular economy

A. Serpe, D. Purchase, et al, RSC Sustain., 2025, 3, 1039-1083

This review provides a critical analysis of global e-waste management over two decades. It highlights the expanding regulatory coverage (72% of the global population), the rapid growth in e-waste research, and the persistent gap between innovation and industrial adoption. Through a concise review of life cycle assessments, the paper demonstrates how innovative processes can reduce environmental footprints and advance circular economy models aligned with safe- and sustainable-by-design principles. With e-waste generation outpacing recycling nearly fivefold, this timely work valuable insights for academics, policymakers, and industry leaders to tackle the growing environmental and economic deficits linked to e-waste management.

General equations to estimate the CO2 production of (bio)catalytic reactions in early development stages

Pablo Domínguez de María, RSC Sustain., 2024, 2, 3817-3825

So you think your process is green? Let´s estimate its CO2 production!!

Mapping the end-of-life of chemicals for circular economy opportunities

Taylor Uekert, RSC Sustain., 2024, 2, 3353-3361

For such a short word, “chemical” encompasses a long list of different molecules, all of which are used – and disposed – in different ways. That makes tracking chemicals especially challenging (and fun!), which is why I’m so excited to share this work highlighting the complete life cycle of chemicals from production through to end-of-life.

Chemically recyclable and reprogrammable epoxy thermosets derived from renewable resources

Željko Tomović, et al, RSC Sustain., 2024, 2, 3311-3319

Through closed-loop recycling and reprogramming, we demonstrate the synergy between performance and sustainability in modern thermosetting plastics

Sustainable, upscaled synthesis of pinene-derived (meth)acrylates and their application as high Tg monomers in styrene/acrylic-based bioderived copolymer coatings

Steven M. Howdle, Robert A. Stockman, et al, RSC Sustain., 2024, 2, 2515-2523

We’ve created a biobased, sustainable monomer that gives high Tg polymer and appears to be a valuable addition to the raw material toolbox for developing sustainable binders for coatings. We’ve shown that this monomer can be “dropped-in” to create industry ready coatings. Now the challenge is to scale up the monomer synthesis even further to a commercially viable scale.

Thermal approaches based on microwaves to recover lithium from spent lithium-ion batteries

E. Bontempi, et al, RSC Sustain., 2024, 2, 2505-2514

This innovative study introduces a microwave-based thermal method for efficiently recovering lithium from spent lithium-ion batteries, achieving over 80% recovery in just 5 minutes at 600 W, thereby supporting sustainable resource management and advancing the energy transition.

Ionic-liquid-processed keratin-based biocomposite films with cellulose and chitin for sustainable dye removal

Mara G. Freire, Jason P. Hallett, et al, RSC Sustain., 2024, 2, 2239-2248

This article introduces a groundbreaking approach to valorizing chicken feather waste by recovering keratin and developing films, either in pure form or blended with cellulose and chitin. These films demonstrate customizable properties and high potential for wastewater treatment.

We would like to thank all the authors and reviewers who contributed to this collection and hope that you find the work enjoyable and informative.

The one-day-in-person symposium will feature talks from both RSC Sustainability Editorial Board members and invited speakers covering a wide breadth of topics around developing sustainable technologies and finding cleaner chemical solutions.

It will take place on Tuesday 20 May 2025 at Burlington House, London, UK.

Registration closes 6th May 2025: https://rsc.li/RSCSusSym25

Speakers will include:

• Tom Welton, Imperial College London, UK
• Cristina Pozo-Gonzalo, Deakin University, Australia
• Francesca Kerton, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada
• Martin Prechtl, University of Lisbon, Portugal
• Zhenyu Sun, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, China
• Michael Shaver, University of Manchester, United Kingdom
• Agnieszka Brandt-Talbot, Imperial College London, United Kingdom
• Gary Walker, Lubrizol, United Kingdom
• Matthew Davies, Swansea University, United Kingdom
• Deirdre Black, Royal Society of Chemistry, United Kingdom

We are proud to present RSC Sustainability’s themed collection on CO₂ Conversion.

Read the full collection now: https://rsc.li/su-co2

CO₂ conversion is a critical area of research in sustainable chemistry, which aims to develop processes and technologies that minimize the use of hazardous materials and energy while reducing the environmental impact of chemical manufacturing.

The collection includes work that utilises thermocatalysis to convert CO₂, as well as contributions concerning CO2 capture and conversion via metal carbonates and biomass, and less traditional approaches such as mineralisation and mechanochemical polymerisation.

The collection was Guest Edited by:

Haichao Liu, Peking university, China
Carlos Alemán, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Spain
John Mondal, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, India
Xiao Jiang, Aramco Research Center, US

Read an Editorial from Xiao Jiang introducing the collection here: https://doi.org/10.1039/D5SU90006A

Explore some of the highlights from this collection, with comments provided by the authors themselves.

Realities of the consortium approach in science: sustainable enzymatic production of C1 chemicals from carbon dioxide

Silvan Scheller, et al, RSC Sustain., 2024, 2, 3264-3275

The atmospheric levels of CO₂ are at an unprecedented high. The world as we know it is seriously threatened, and the damage is close to being beyond repair. These circumstances require us to consider all possible solutions, and we are convinced that collaborations hold the key to solve such a massive issue. In our nature-to-flask approach, we combine metagenomics, biochemistry and catalysis. The process was used to provide an honest perspective of multidisciplinary work in science, and the tips on how to improve scientific cooperation.

The engineering of CO₂ hydrogenation catalysts for higher alcohol synthesis

Alex Yip et al, RSC Sustain., 2024, 2, 3638-3654

Advancements in CO₂ hydrogenation catalysts are key to converting emissions into valuable chemical products. We highlighted the roles of metals, promoters, and oxygen vacancies in designing next-generation catalysts

Carboxylation reactions for the sustainable manufacture of chemicals and monomers

Laura Faba and Salvador Ordóñez, RSC Sustain., 2024, 2, 3167-3182

Carboxylation reactions are currently a major challenge in the field of chemical processes. On the one hand, CO₂ is a cheap and readily available chemical (especially within the framework of carbon capture and storage technologies), but the activation of this molecule under industrially relevant conditions remains a significant bottleneck, requiring further research and innovative solutions.

Role of SiO₂ in enhancing CO yield by using silica-supported La0.5Ba0.5FeO3 in reverse water–gas shift chemical looping

Venkat R. Bhethanabotla, John N. Kuhn, et al, RSC Sustain., 2025, 3, 836-843

RWGS-CL process using perovskite oxides offers a promising route for CO₂ utilization by converting it to CO, a valuable feedstock for syngas production. Combined studies of DFT and DRIFTS have identified carbonate species as key intermediates, shedding light on the reaction mechanism.

Unraveling the mechanism of the CO₂-assisted oxidative dehydrogenation of propane over VOx/CeO₂: an operando spectroscopic study

Christian Hess, et al, RSC Sustain., 2024, 2, 3846-3865

The use of CO₂ as soft oxidant is of great interest for existing and future oxidation processes such as alkane selective oxidation. In this contribution, we examine the reaction network and detailed functioning of vanadia/ceria catalysts during propane to propylene conversion using multiple in situ and operando methods, to establish a basis for future rational catalyst design.

CO₂ hydrogenation on ruthenium: comparative study of catalyst supports

Robert Güttel, et al, RSC Sustain., 2024, 2, 3826-3834

We investigated various catalyst supports for Ru-based CO₂-Hydrogenation very systematically and propose the best candidates for low temperatures and pressure conditions.

A solid xantphos macroligand based on porous organic polymers for the catalytic hydrogenation of CO₂

Marcus Rose, et al, RSC Sustain., 2024, 2, 2213-2217

Catalytic hydrogenation of CO₂ as renewable C1 building block is a key enabling technology for a sustainable future. In this work, a strategy is highlighted that combines the benefits of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis.

We’d like to extend our thanks to everyone who contributed to this collection, and we hope you enjoy exploring the work reported here.

We are very pleased to present RSC Sustainability’s themed collection on Energy Materials Redesign, Reuse and Repurpose.

Read the collection now: https://rsc.li/su-energymaterials

As the world moves away from using fossil fuels to produce energy, demand for alternative materials is increasing. In order to ensure a sustainable supply of energy materials in the future, it is vital that they can be recycled and used again. This collection highlights research that aims to make this a reality.

The collection showcases work in 3 broad categories: 1) redesigning materials and processes to increase device lifetime, 2) reuse and repurpose of waste as a secondary source, and 3) recycling of end-of-life devices to reduce waste generation.

Read the Editorial from the Guest Editors here: https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SU90068E

Explore some of the highlights from the collection with comments from the authors themselves:

Unlocking sustainable power: advances in aqueous processing and water-soluble binders for NMC cathodes in high-voltage Li-ion batteries

Mecerreyes, Pozo-Gonzalo, et al, RSC Sustain., 2024, 2, 2125-2149

This article highlights how polymer binders are key in the development of green and high energy batteries. It summarizes the recent advances in aqueous processing of NMC cathodes in high-voltage Li-ion batteries.

Recovery of graphite from industrial lithium-ion battery black mass

Titirici, et al,  RSC Sustain., 2025, 3, 264-274

While significant attention is given to metal extraction from Li-ion battery cathodes, graphite anodes are often overlooked, despite being a critical resource facing a projected supply shortage. Our research focuses on recovering graphite from industrially sourced black mass, addressing real-world challenges and exploring efficient regeneration methods. These methods are designed to integrate seamlessly with existing metal recovery processes, offering practical solutions for the recycling industry.

Non-aqueous direct leaching using a reusable nickel-selective amic-acid extractant for efficient lithium-ion battery recycling

Goto, et al, RSC Sustain., 2025

With the increasing demand for electric vehicles, the recycling of lithium-ion batteries (LiBs) becomes crucial. However, there are concerns surrounding traditional recycling methods for LiBs regarding their high environmental impact. This study aims to develop an environmentally friendly LiB recycling process surpassing conventional methods. The proposed approach eliminates the need for inorganic acids, simplifying the process. Upon realization, this process will contribute to society in various aspects, including environmental, economic, and social aspects. This process aligns with SDGs 7, 11, and 13.

Enhanced electrochemical dissolution of iridium oxide in acidic electrolytes through presence of metal ions: shortened lifetime and hope for recovery

Sharma, Andersen, et al, RSC Sustain., 2024, 2, 2225-2238

Electrochemical dissolution of iridium oxide is not only a vital degradation mechanism but also an innovative methodology for iridium recycling. The current work is a showcase on manipulation of metal ions to stimulate the dissolution process.

Reduced graphene oxide from dead Li-ion batteries with β-Co(OH)2 as a potential electrode for enhanced charge storage capabilities

Viswanathan and Aravindan, RSC Sustain., 2024, 2, 2199-2212

Everybody can’t produce energy but save it, the energy that you save is the energy that you produce. Supercapacitors are the future energy savers, better we recycle the batteries to make them.

Recycling hazardous and energy-demanding piezoelectric ceramics using an oxide–halide perovskite upside-down composite method

Bai, et al, RSC Sustain., 2024, 2, 961-974

Although we are moving towards greener piezoelectric components in the next-generation manufacturing, the older generation has left us a tremendous number of devices containing hazardous elements. We should not let them expose to the nature but rather should recycle them and give them a second life in lower-end products that may accept compromised functionality, to save resources for the new manufacturing for higher-end products.

We hope you found exploring this collection both enjoyable and rewarding. If you have work on recycling energy materials that you would like to publish, submit to RSC Sustainability now at https://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/rscsus

The global essay competition is back for 2025!

Who? The International Organization for Chemical Sciences in Development (IOCD) and the Royal Society of Chemistry are excited to continue their collaboration and announce this year’s annual essay competition, focusing on the role of the chemical sciences in sustainability.

What? The theme for 2025 is “From waste to wealth: how chemical sciences can sustainably transform waste into valuable products”.

When? The deadline for submissions is 31^st March 2025.

Where? The competition is open globally to entrants under 35, providing a unique opportunity for young scientists and researchers to showcase their ideas and contribute to the important conversation on sustainability. The winning entries will be published in RSC Sustainability, providing a platform for the authors to share their work with a global audience and make a real-world impact.

Why? Sustainability is a pressing issue that affects us all, and the chemical sciences have a vital role to play in addressing it. The competition encourages young scientists to think about the importance of scientific approaches grounded in the chemical sciences for solving sustainability challenges and to take a wide, global perspective, including reflecting on the intersection of science, society and policy aspects, rather than to describe a particular scientific advance in great technical detail. This year’s theme is particularly relevant in light of the growing global issue of waste management and resource depletion. The competition challenges participants to envision how chemical processes can be harnessed to create sustainable solutions that reduce environmental impact, enhance resource efficiency, and contribute to a circular economy.

Further information on entering the competition can be found here.

Explore last year’s winning essays in this collection:

• Utilizing advancements in chemical sciences for decarbonization: a pathway to sustainable emission and energy reduction by Faith Mwende Johnson
• Towards a net-zero future: the chemical sciences across technology, education, and policy by Amanda Mikaela Celestine Tolentino
• Chemical advances in transforming pollutants into new materials by Tales da Silva Daitx
• From lab to landscape: the role of chemical sciences in sustainable technology by Yana Walia
• Atoms and photons: how chemical sciences can catalyze the development of sustainable solutions powered by light by Govind Nanda
• Chemical sciences: the key to a carbon-neutral future by Alexandre M. S. Jorge
• Chemical innovations in nuclear energy: paving the way for a carbon-neutral future by Sarah Geo

We encourage all young scientists and researchers who are passionate about sustainability to submit an entry to this year’s competition.

RSC Sustainability is very excited to announce the launch of our latest themed collection, Industrial Perspectives, which is now open for submissions.

Chemical industries have a major role to play in the drive towards a sustainable future. The products manufactured by chemical industries touch all aspects of society, and many of the changes required to achieve sustainability will have a profound impact on how chemical companies operate. Such changes will include regulatory developments from regional and central governments, and new scientific innovations from the laboratories of the companies themselves.

This collection will serve as a platform to showcase the sustainability agenda of different companies operating in all sectors of chemical industry, from pharmaceuticals to petrochemicals, from consumer products to commodity chemicals, and provide these companies with an opportunity to elaborate on their Green and Sustainable Chemistry strategies and share the sustainability vision for their company and for the future of their industry.

The collection is guest Edited by Gary Walker (Lubrizol, UK), Paul Price (Unilever, UK) and Lei Wang (Westlake University, China), all of whom have extensive experience working in chemical industries.

This themed collection will accept Perspective articles. Perspective articles can be written through the lens of an individual or company on a topic of interest to the readership of the journal. Primary research papers are not within the scope of this collection, but we welcome primary research to the journal outside of this themed collection.

The submission deadline for this collection is Friday 15th August 2025.

If you have an Industrial Perspective you would like to share as part of this collection, please send a proposal to us at rscsus-rsc@rsc.org.

RSC Sustainability is very pleased to announce that our themed collection on Electrocatalysis for Energy Conversion Reactions is now open for submissions.

Defossilising and decarbonising the energy industry will be an important step in securing a sustainable future. Converting chemical energy to more usable forms is one approach that offers a sustainable alternative.

Electrocatalysis offers a method of overcoming the activation barriers of desired reactions and can make them economically viable at scales to make a difference to global climate change targets. In this way, it will be possible to achieve UN Sustainable Development Goals 7 (affordable and clean energy) and 13 (climate action).

Guest Edited by Zhenyu Sun (Beijing University of Chemical Technology, China), Justus Masa (Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion, Germany), and Kate Waldie (Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, USA), RSC Sustainability’s themed collection on Electrocatalysis for Energy Conversion Reactions aims to be a venue for work seeking to further these goals.

Topics for this collection include, but are not limited to:

• Hydrogen and oxygen reactions (i.e., hydrogen evolution reaction, hydrogen oxidation reaction, oxygen reduction reaction, oxygen evolution reaction)
• CO₂ reduction
• Nitrogen-based compound synthesis
• Biomass conversion
• Energy storage applications
• Sustainable design of electrocatalysts for energy conversion reactions

The collection welcomes contributions from industry and policy perspectives, as well as academic perspectives and can publish both review articles and primary research.

If you have work that fits the scope of this collection, feel free to submit now through our submissions portal. The submission deadline for this collection is Friday 14^th February 2025.

If you have any questions regarding this collection or the journal, please contact the editorial office at rscsus-rsc@rsc.org, where our team will be happy to help.

RSC Sustainability is very pleased to announce that our new themed collection, Defossilising Chemical Industries, is now open for submissions.

Chemical industries touch almost every aspect of society. They produce everything from fuels and polymers to everyday consumer products such as cosmetics and household cleaning products. Currently, many of these vital products are made using feedstocks derived from fossil sources which, in addition to being finite, also release large quantities of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, accelerating climate change.

For chemical industries to be sustainable in the long term in accordance with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (particularly Goals 12 and 13, Responsible Consumption and Production and Climate Action, respectively), they must avoid using raw materials from fossil sources and find alternative feedstocks.

With the leadership of Guest Editors Agi Brandt-Talbot (Imperial College London, UK) and Alexander O’Malley (University of Bath, UK), RSC Sustainability’s themed collection on Defossilising Chemical Industries aims to be a venue for the latest research that could make this a reality.

Topics for this collection include, but are not limited to:

• Biomass as a feedstock
• CO₂ as a feedstock
• Plastic waste as a feedstock
• Methanol as a feedstock
• Use of renewable electricity in chemical industries
• Renewable oxidising and reducing agents
• Carbon capture

The collection welcomes contributions from industry and policy perspectives, as well as academic perspectives and can publish both review articles and primary research. Studies concerning Life Cycle Assessments and Techno-Economic Analyses are also welcome.

There are several approaches that have been proposed as stepping-stone or bridging technologies that, while not a permanent solution, do enable progress towards defossilisation. Indeed, the proponents of these argue that without such technologies it will be impossible to achieve defossilisation. On the other hand, opponents of these argue that they ultimately lead to the extension of the use of unsustainable technologies and hence are counterproductive. As we have stated in previous editorials, RSC Sustainability does not seek to be the gatekeeper for what is or is not sustainable chemistry, but rather provides a forum to facilitate such debates. However, we do expect contributors recognise these controversies within their manuscript and sustainability spotlight statement and to provide evidence to support the claims that that their technologies contribute to sustainability and the UN SDGs.

If you have work that fits the scope of this collection, feel free to submit now through our submissions portal. This collection has a submission deadline of Friday 31st January 2025.

If you have any questions regarding this collection or the journal, please contact the editorial office at rscsus-rsc@rsc.org, where our team will be happy to help.

Discover original research on the development and use of sustainable materials!

RSC Sustainability welcomes all solutions-focused research dedicated to solving sustainability challenges. Discovering natural, renewable and environmentally friendly materials and finding novel ways use them is a key approach to enable the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

This dedicated topic collection aims to showcase some of the latest innovative approaches to developing sustainable materials and using them to replace other materials in less sustainable known processes. We are excited to highlight some of our published content that has attracted attention in the field of sustainable materials. Many insightful and impactful papers are included in the topic collection, including:

Collection Highlights

High degree of silanization of olive wood shell stone and its use in polyester biocomposites RSC Sustain., 2024,2, 1030-1039

Platinum–tin as a superior catalyst for proton exchange membrane fuel cells RSC Sustain., 2023,1, 368-377

Deep eutectic solvent assisted preparation of cellulose nanofibers and graphene composite films for supercapacitors RSC Sustain., 2023,1, 1006-1015

The global burden of plastics in oral health: prospects for circularity, sustainable materials development and practice RSC Sustain., 2024,2, 881-902

Browse the full collection here!

RSC Sustainability is a dedicated forum for scientists developing new sustainable technologies, or finding cleaner chemical solutions. The journal welcomes research from all subject areas that are dedicated to solving sustainability challenges for a better, greener future.

If you have any queries about our journals, please contact the Editorial Office at rscsus-rsc@rsc.org.

Review articles are a great way to expand your knowledge of different areas of research, but Tutorial Reviews are specifically designed to act as a first introduction to a specific research topic.

Whether it is bringing you up to speed on the challenges of solving a particular issue, or on the advantages and disadvantages of a certain experimental technique, they should be your first port of call when you want to read up on a field you are not familiar with.

Since launching in 2022, RSC Sustainability has published several Tutorial Reviews that are sure to be of value to anyone seeking to learn more about the role the chemical sciences can play in addressing sustainability challenges. If you haven’t checked them out yet, we’d like to highlight some of them here

Replacing all petroleum-based chemical products with natural biomass-based chemical products: a tutorial review

Ryohei Mori, RSC Sustain., 2023, 1, 179-212

In this review, Ryohei Mori discusses the ambitious goal of eliminating all products derived from petroleum feedstocks. By taking a comprehensive view of biomass derived plastics, Mori demonstrates the variety of everyday consumer products that could be made from sustainable and biodegradable materials.

A guide to lignin valorization in biorefineries: traditional, recent, and forthcoming approaches to convert raw lignocellulose into valuable materials and chemicals

Filippo Brienza, David Cannella, Diego Montesdeoca, Iwona Cybulska and Damien P. Debecker, RSC Sustain., 2024, 2, 37-90

Lignin and cellulose are the most common sources of renewable biomass in the world. As such, there is a lot of interest in whether these can be used as sources of fine and bulk chemicals that have traditionally been produced from petroleum. This Tutorial Review introduces the properties of these biomass sources and the existing methods of treating and refining them into useful products.

From rocks to bioactive compounds: a journey through the global P(v) organophosphorus industry and its sustainability

Sosthène P.-M. Ung and Chao-Jun Li, RSC Sustain., 2023, 1, 11-37

This review introduces the field of organophosphorus chemistry and discusses the challenges associated with the methods currently used to obtain phosphorus. The review rounds off by presenting some more sustainable alternatives.

A tutorial review for research laboratories to support the vital path toward inherently sustainable and green synthetic chemistry

Sarah M. Kernaghan, Tracey Coady, Michael Kinsella and Claire M. Lennon, RSC Sustain., 2024, 2, 578-607

This review introduces concepts and metrics that synthetic chemists can use to make their own practices cleaner and more sustainable. For example, have you ever done a life cycle assessment of your reactions where you consider the source of all your reagents and the environmental impact of the waste products you dispose of?

Sustainability applications of rare earths from metallurgy, magnetism, catalysis, luminescence to future electrochemical pseudocapacitance energy storage

Shan-Shan Chai, Wei-Bin Zhang, Jing-Lei Yang, Lun Zhang, Myat Myintzu Theint, Xian-Li Zhang, Shao-Bo Guo, Xia Zhou and Xue-Jing Ma, RSC Sustain., 2023, 1, 38-71

This review introduces Rare Earth elements and their applications in a variety of fields, including their potential uses as sustainable energy storage materials that could be used as alternatives to Li-ion batteries.

We hope you find these Tutorial Reviews interesting. You can explore all the review content published by RSC Sustainability, including other Tutorial Reviews as well as our other review type articles, in our ongoing reviews web collection.

If you would like to contribute a review article to RSC Sustainability, please send a review proposal to our Editorial Office.