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A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Waste and Recycling".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (1 October 2023) | Viewed by 14823

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Dr. Ning Yuan

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School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Beijing 100083, China
Interests: functional porous materials; nanomaterials; metal-organic frameworks; covalent organic frameworks; zeolites: photocatalysis; adsorption; cement-based composites; cemented paste backfill; solid waste resource utilization
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Dear Colleagues,

Environmental pollution has attracted ever-increasing concerns from researchers following the rapid development of the industry and society. During recent decades, several advanced materials and techniques have been developed to address environmental challenges and achieve sustainable development. Meanwhile, understanding environmental interface processes, such as adsorption, catalysis, coordination and oxidation-reduction reactions, are of critical importance for pollution control and environmental remediation. This Special Issue aims to cover studies on fundamental environmental interface chemistry and the synthesis and characterizations of new materials for environmental applications.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews dealing with the treatment of wastewater and solid waste using a variety of functional materials and techniques are welcome. Contributions can be from different research backgrounds, including environmental chemistry, interface science, pollution control, materials science, synthetic chemistry, etc.

Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

Environmental interface processes on nanocatalysts and nanoadsorbents;
Removal of emerging contaminants;
Environmental applications of functional nanoporous materials, such as metal–organic frameworks and covalent organic frameworks;
Reuse and recycling of industrial solid waste into varieties of structural and functional materials;
Purification of water and wastewater.

I am looking forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Ning Yuan
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

environmental interface chemistry
pollution control
emerging contaminants
adsorption
catalysis
metal-organic frameworks
water and wastewater treatment
solid waste utilization

Published Papers (11 papers)

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Editorial

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5 pages, 161 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Resource Utilization of Solid Waste and Water Quality Evaluation

by Ning Yuan

Sustainability 2024, 16(8), 3189; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16083189 - 11 Apr 2024

Viewed by 444

Abstract

The rapid development of industrialization and urbanization has inevitably resulted in the generation of innumerable solid wastes and water contamination [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Interface Chemistry and Pollution Control)

Research

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16 pages, 10016 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Water Chemical Characteristics and Safety Assessment of Irrigation Water in the Northern Part of Hulunbeier City, Grassland Area in Eastern China

by Wanli Su, Feisheng Feng, Ke Yang, Yong Zhou, Jiqiang Zhang and Jie Sun

Sustainability 2022, 14(23), 16068; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142316068 - 01 Dec 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1057

Abstract

Hulun Buir Grassland is a world-famous natural pasture. The Chenbalhu Banner coalfield, the hinterland of the grassland, is located on the west slope of the Great Khingan Mountains and on the north bank of the Hailar River in China. The proven geological reserves of coal are 17 billion tons. Hulun Buir Grassland plays a role in the ecological barrier, regional coal industry, power transmission from west to east and power transmission from north to south. The proportion of local groundwater in irrigation, domestic and industrial production water sources is about 86%. The large-scale exploitation of coal resources and the continuous emergence of large unit and coal-fired power plants have consumed a large amount of local water resources, resulting in the decrease of the local groundwater level and changing the natural flow field of groundwater. This paper studies the background hydrochemical values and evaluates the irrigatibility of the whole Chenbaerhu Banner coalfield, and studies the impact of coal industry chains such as mining areas and coal chemical plants on the hydrochemistry characteristics of groundwater. The above two studies provide important guiding values for guiding local economic structure planning, groundwater resources exploitation and ecological governance. The study found that Na⁺ and HCO₃⁻ in the groundwater in the study area occupy a dominant position. Referring to the comparison of the lowest values of three types of water standards in the Quality Standards for Groundwater (GB/T14848-2017), the amount of NH₄⁺, Na⁺ and NO₂⁻ exceeding the standard is close to more than 30%. The main chemical types of river water in the study area are HCO₃⁻ Na and HCO₃⁻ Ca·Na, the main chemical types of surface water are HCO₃⁻ Na and HCO₃⁻ Na·Ca, and the main chemical type of confined water is HCO₃⁻Na. The formation of hydrochemical types is mainly affected by the dissolution, filtration and evaporation of rocks, specifically the dissolution and filtration of sodium and calcium salts. The chemical correlation analysis of groundwater shows that there are abnormal values at many points in the study area. Further combining with the horizontal comparison of surface human activities in the study area, it shows that the influence scope of coal mine production and coal chemical plants on groundwater is extremely limited. The local groundwater is mainly polluted by a large quantity of local cattle and sheep manure, industrial and domestic sewage pollution and farmland fertilizer. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Interface Chemistry and Pollution Control)

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14 pages, 3106 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Optimizing the Mechanical Performance and Microstructure of Alkali-Activated Soda Residue-Slag Composite Cementing Materials by Various Curing Methods

by Zhaoyun Zhang, Chuang Xie, Zhaohu Sang and Dejun Li

Sustainability 2022, 14(20), 13661; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142013661 - 21 Oct 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1147

Abstract

Aiming to promote further the application of alkali-activated soda residue-ground granulated blast furnace slag (SR-GGBS) cementing materials, this study explored the optimal curing method for enhancing mechanical performance. The optimal curing method was determined based on the development of compressive strengths at different curing periods and microstructural examination by XRD, FTIR, SEM, and TG-DTG. The results show that the strength of cementing materials after room-temperature (RT) dry curing was the poorest, with the slow development of mechanical performance. The 7d and 28d compressive strengths were only 14.62 and 20.99 MPa, respectively. Compared with the values after RT dry curing, the samples’ 7d and 28d compressive strengths after RT water curing, standard curing, and RT sealed curing were enhanced by 16.35%/24.06%, 30.98%/23.77%, and 38.24%/37.97%, respectively. High-temperature (HT) curing can significantly improve the early strength of the prepared cementing materials. Curing at 60 °C for 12 h was the optimal HT curing method. Curing at 60 °C for 12 h enhanced the 3d strength by 100.84% compared with standard curing. This is because HT curing promoted the decomposition and aggregation of GGBS, and more C-A-S-H gel and crystal hydration products, including ettringite and calcium chloroaluminate hydrate, were produced and filled the inner pores, thereby enhancing both the overall compactness and mechanical performance. However, curing at too high temperatures for too long can reduce the material’s overall mechanical performance. After excess HT curing, many shrinkage cracks were produced in the sample. Different thermal expansion coefficients of different materials led to a decline in strength. The present study can provide a theoretical foundation for extensive engineering applications of alkali-activated SR-GGBS composite cementing materials. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Interface Chemistry and Pollution Control)

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15 pages, 4166 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Different Activators on Properties of Slag-Gold Tailings-Red Mud Ternary Composite

by Haonan Cui, Haili Cheng, Tianyong Huang, Feihua Yang, Haoxiang Lan and Jvlun Li

Sustainability 2022, 14(20), 13573; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142013573 - 20 Oct 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1033

Abstract

Red mud is a kind of solid waste produced in the process of aluminum extraction. Traditional methods of red mud treatment, such as open-pit accumulation and chemical recovery, are costly and environmentally hazardous. Gold tailings are industrial by-products produced in the process of gold mining and refining. In this study, NaOH, KOH, and Na₂SiO₃ were used as activators, and their effects on the properties of ternary cementitious composite containing blast furnace’s slag, gold tailings, and red mud were studied with the intention of preparing a new cementitious material that is an efficient recovery and utilization of solid waste. The macroscopic mechanical properties and hydration of the ternary cementation material were studied by means of compressive strength, XRD, FT-IR, and TG/DTG. The compressive strength testing showed that the maximum strength at 28 d was 43.5 MPa. The hydration products in the ternary cementitious system were studied by SEM and EDS, and it has been demonstrated that the strength of this cement was due to the formation of Aft (AFt, also known as Ettringite, has the chemical formula 3CaO·Al₂O₃·3CaSO₄·32H₂O. It is one of the important hydration products of cement-based cementitious materials, which can not only provide early strength for cement, but also compensate for early shrinkage of concrete.) and C-A-S-H gels. Samples activated by Na₂SiO₃ presented a most compact microstructure and the best macroscopic mechanical properties than the samples free of activator. The toxicity tests results showed that the content of heavy metal ions liberated by the cement’s leaching met the standard requirements, proving that the slag-gold tailings-red mud ternary composite was environmentally friendly. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Interface Chemistry and Pollution Control)

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15 pages, 5898 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Continuous Loading Coupled with Wet–Dry Cycles on Strength Deterioration of Concrete

by Linzhi Wang, Mingzhong Gao and Jiqiang Zhang

Sustainability 2022, 14(20), 13407; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142013407 - 18 Oct 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1204

Abstract

In practical engineering, concrete is often under continuous stress conditions and there are limitations in considering the effect of wet–dry cycles alone on the strength deterioration of concrete. In order to study the deterioration of concrete strength under the coupling of load and wet-dry cycles, concrete specimens were loaded with 0%, 10%, 20%, and 35% stress levels and coupled to undergo one, three, and seven wet–dry cycles. The strength deterioration of the concrete was obtained by uniaxial compression and the regression equation was established. The strength deterioration mechanism of the concrete under the coupled conditions was analyzed and revealed through an AE acoustic emission technique and nuclear magnetic resonance technique. The results of the study show that, with the same number of wet–dry cycles, there are two thresholds of a and b for the uniaxial compressive strength of concrete with the stress level, and with the progression of wet–dry cycles, the length of the interval from a to b gradually shortens until it reaches 0. The cumulative AE energy of concrete decreases with the progression of wet–dry cycles; using the initiating crack stress as the threshold, the calm phase of concrete acoustic emission, the fluctuating phase, and the NMR T₂ spectral peak area show different patterns of variation with the increase in the number of wet–dry cycles. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Interface Chemistry and Pollution Control)

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18 pages, 3837 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Significant Fragmentation of Disposable Surgical Masks—Enormous Source for Problematic Micro/Nanoplastics Pollution in the Environment

by Alen Erjavec, Olivija Plohl, Lidija Fras Zemljič and Julija Volmajer Valh

Sustainability 2022, 14(19), 12625; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141912625 - 04 Oct 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1556

Abstract

The pandemic of COVID-19 disease has brought many challenges in the field of personal protective equipment. The amount of disposable surgical masks (DSMs) consumed increased dramatically, and much of it was improperly disposed of, i.e., it entered the environment. For this reason, it is crucial to accurately analyze the waste and identify all the hazards it poses. Therefore, in the present work, a DSM was disassembled, and gravimetric analysis of representative DSM waste was performed, along with detailed infrared spectroscopy of the individual parts and in-depth analysis of the waste. Due to the potential water contamination by micro/nanoplastics and also by other harmful components of DSMs generated during the leaching and photodegradation process, the xenon test and toxicity characteristic leaching procedure were used to analyze and evaluate the leaching of micro/nanoplastics. Micro/nanoplastic particles were leached from all five components of the mask in an aqueous medium. Exposed to natural conditions, a DSM loses up to 30% of its mass in just 1 month, while micro/nanoplastic particles are formed by the process of photodegradation. Improperly treated DSMs pose a potential hazardous risk to the environment due to the release of micro/nanoparticles and chloride ion content. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Interface Chemistry and Pollution Control)

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17 pages, 5450 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mechanical Properties and Microstructure of Alkali-Activated Soda Residue-Blast Furnace Slag Composite Binder

by Zhaoyun Zhang, Chuang Xie, Zhaohu Sang and Dejun Li

Sustainability 2022, 14(18), 11751; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141811751 - 19 Sep 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1153

Abstract

This study prepared an alkali-activated soda residue (SR)-blast furnace slag (BFS) composite binder by adding a large amount of SR to the alkali-activated material system. Considering many factors, such as the Na₂O content, ratio of SR to BFS and the water-binder ratio, the variation patterns in the new binder’s mechanical properties and its micro-evolution mechanisms were assessed. The results show that the compressive strength first grew and then dropped with the Na₂O content, with an optimal level at 3.0%. At this level, the strength values of the 3d and 28d samples were 10.5 and 27.8 MPa, respectively, exceeding those in the control group without Na₂O by 337.5 and 69.5%, respectively. As the Na₂O admixture increased from 0 to 3%, the fluidity of the mortar decreased from 156 mm to 127 mm due to the high frictional resistance caused by the faster generation of hydration products, and the high water absorption of SR also led to reduced fluidity. The new binder’s hydration process mainly generated C-(A)-S-H gel, ettringite (ET), hydrocalumite (HC), calcium hydroxide (CH), and other crystalline hydrates. A 3% Na₂O content inhibited the ET growth but significantly promoted the formation of uniformly distributed C-(A)-S-H gel and HC. Crystals grew in the pores or were interspersed in the gel, filling microcracks and significantly increasing the structure density and strength. Excessive Na₂O (>3%) could promote the generation of non-uniformly distributed gel, producing more macropores in the matrix and reducing its strength. Additionally, the increased SR content was not conducive to C-(A)-S-H gel formation, but significantly promoted ET formation, which would inhibit strength development. This study provides a theoretical basis for replacing cement with this new binder in pavement bricks and other unreinforced products. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Interface Chemistry and Pollution Control)

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17 pages, 8284 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Study on the Hydration and Microstructure of B and B/Na Ion-Doped Natural Hydraulic Lime Composed with Silica Fume/Fly Ash

by Yanbo Zhang, Ze Liu, Jixiang Wang, Conghao Shao, Jiaxing Li and Dongmin Wang

Sustainability 2022, 14(17), 10484; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141710484 - 23 Aug 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1213

Abstract

Natural hydraulic lime (NHL) has drawn much attention due to its environmentally friendly nature. The characteristics of both hydraulic and pneumatic components make it a potential substitute for Portland cement in surface decoration and ancient building restoration. In this study, both doping and mixing with supplementary cementitious materials were investigated. Two types of NHL3.5 were fabricated through calcination at 1200 °C with B and B/Na doping, respectively. It is noted that B ion doping is beneficial to the early compressive strength of the specimens, and B/Na doping is beneficial to the later compressive strength of the specimens. The observed outcome is that the compressive strengths of B and coupled B/Na doped NHL3.5 are higher than the blank sample due to the appearance of α’-C2S. Thereafter, the blank and doping NHL were incorporated with fly ash and silica fume. The incorporation of fly ash and silica fume could enhance the early and late hydration rate. Of the two, silica fume shows more pozzolanic effect in the early age. In the supplementary cementitious materials dosed group, pozzolanic dominates the hydration process. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Interface Chemistry and Pollution Control)

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15 pages, 3183 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effect of Bottom Ash Ball-Milling Time on Properties of Controlled Low-Strength Material Using Multi-Component Coal-Based Solid Wastes

by Tianxiang Chen, Ning Yuan, Shanhu Wang, Xinfei Hao, Xinling Zhang, Dongmin Wang and Xuan Yang

Sustainability 2022, 14(16), 9949; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14169949 - 11 Aug 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1591

Abstract

As the conventional disposal method for industrial by-products and wastes, landfills can cause environmental pollution and huge economic costs. However, some secondary materials can be effectively used to develop novel underground filling materials. Controlled low-strength material (CLSM) is a highly flowable, controllable, and low-strength filling material. The rational use of coal industry by-products to prepare CLSM is significant in reducing environmental pollution and value-added disposal of solid waste. In this work, five different by-products of the coal industry (bottom ash (BA), fly ash, desulfurized gypsum, gasification slag, and coal gangue) and cement were used as mixtures to prepare multi-component coal industry solid waste-based CLSM. The microstructure and phase composition of the obtained samples were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. In addition, the particle size/fineness of samples was also measured. The changes in fresh and hardened properties of CLSM were studied using BA after ball milling for 20 min (BAI group) and 45 min (BAII group) that replaced fly ash with four mass ratios (10 wt%, 30 wt%, 50 wt%, and 70 wt%). The results showed that the CLSM mixtures satisfied the limits and requirements of the American Concrete Institute Committee 229 for CLSM. Improving the mass ratio of BA to fly ash and the ball-milling time of the BA significantly reduced the flowability and the bleeding of the CLSM; the flowability was still in the high flowability category, the lowest bleeding BAI70 (i.e., the content of BA in the BAI group was 70 wt%) and BAII70 (i.e., the content of BA in the BAII group was 70 wt%) decreased by 48% and 64%, respectively. Furthermore, the 3 d compressive strengths of BAI70 and BAII70 were increased by 48% and 93%, respectively, compared with the group without BA, which was significantly favorable, whereas the 28 d compressive strength did not change significantly. Moreover, the removability modulus of CLSM was calculated, which was greater than 1, indicating that CLSM was suitable for structural backfilling that requires a certain strength. This study provides a basis for the large-scale utilization of coal industry solid waste in the construction industry and underground coal mine filling. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Interface Chemistry and Pollution Control)

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17 pages, 3318 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Water Environment Quality Evaluation and Pollutant Source Analysis in Tuojiang River Basin, China

by Kai Zhang, Shunjie Wang, Shuyu Liu, Kunlun Liu, Jiayu Yan and Xuejia Li

Sustainability 2022, 14(15), 9219; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14159219 - 27 Jul 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1395

Abstract

A water environment quality evaluation and pollution source analysis can quantitatively examine the relationship among water pollution, resources, and the economy, and investigate the main factors affecting water quality. This paper took COD, NH₃-N, and TP of the Tuojiang River as the research objects. The water environment quality evaluation and pollution source analysis of the Tuojiang River Basin were conducted based on the grey water footprint, decoupling theoretical model, and correlation analysis method. The results showed that grey water footprint decreased, and the water environment quality improved. Among the pollution sources of the grey water footprint, TP accounted for the highest proportion. Moreover, the economic development level and the water environment were generally in a state of high-quality coordination. Farmland and stock breeding pollution accounted for the largest proportion of agricultural pollution and were thus the main source of the grey water footprint. The results of Pearson’s correlation analysis indicated that the source of the pollutants were the imported pollution from the tributaries and agricultural pollution (especially stock breeding and farmland irrigation). These results showed that the quality of the water environment was improving, and the main factors affecting the water environment were stock breeding and farmland pollution in agriculture. This study presents a decision-making basis for strengthening the ecological barrier in the Yangtze River. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Interface Chemistry and Pollution Control)

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16 pages, 4093 KiB

Open AccessEssay

Development and Constitutive Model of Fluid–Solid Coupling Similar Materials

by Baiping Li, Yunhai Cheng and Fenghui Li

Sustainability 2023, 15(4), 3379; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15043379 - 13 Feb 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 971

Abstract

The Cretaceous Zhidan group (K1zh) pore fissure-confined water aquifer in Yingpanhao Coal Mine, Ordos City, China, has loose stratum structure, high porosity, strong permeability and water conductivity. In order to explore the fluid–solid coupling similar material and its constitutive model suitable for the aquifer, a kind of fluid–solid coupling similar material with low strength, strong permeability and no disintegration in water was developed by using 5~20 mm stone as aggregate and P.O32.5 Portland cement as binder. The controllable range of uniaxial compressive strength is 0.394~0.528 MPa, and the controllable range of elastic modulus is 342.22~400.24 MPa. The stress–strain curve and elastic modulus of similar materials are analyzed. It is found that the elastic modulus of similar materials with different water–cement ratios conforms to the linear law, the elastic modulus of similar materials with the same water–cement ratio after soaking treatment and without soaking treatment also conforms to the linear law. Based on the material failure obeying the maximum principal stress criterion and Weibull distribution, combined with the elastic modulus fitting formula, a constitutive model suitable for the fluid–solid coupling similar material was established, and the parameters of the constitutive model were determined by differential method. By comparing the theoretical stress–strain curve with the experimental curve, it is found that the constitutive model can better describe and characterize the fluid–solid coupling similar materials with different water–cement ratios and before and after soaking. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Interface Chemistry and Pollution Control)

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