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Artículo / Journal Of Energy Storage / 2025 / Q1

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High-reversibility aluminum‑copper bimetallic anodes have been characterized to determine the threshold specific capacity necessary to ensure a highly reversible process when used as anodes in Li-ion batteries.By controlling the intercalation step, the formation of a β-AlLi surface layer on the aluminum side is promoted. This layer effectively mitigates the stress generated during the expansion and contraction associated to the charging/discharging process.The threshold specific capacity was assessed by applying four different charging steps, corresponding to 5 %, 10 %, 20 %, and 50 % of the experimental specific capacity of aluminum, over 100 galvanostatic charge/discharge cycles. Additionally, the effects of different current densities (0.5 and 1 mA/cm2) and two aluminum qualities (1XXX and 3XXX) on the reversibility of the reactions and capacity loss were analyzed.The results indicated that charging steps corresponding to a specific capacity of 200 mA.h.g−1 were identified as the threshold capacity for achieving reversible anode behavior. Although this property is the most critical factor, the threshold point also depends on various factors such as the aluminum alloy used for the bimetallic anodes and the current density applied. The use of the 3XXX alloy, which is underexplored in the literature for this application, has shown to improve electrochemical (EC) behavior, in some cases doubling the number of cycles in which the anode exhibits reversible EC behavior. Conversely, higher current densities lead to rapid volume changes, and the resulting stress cannot be relieved, thereby affecting the anode's service life.

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Artículo / Bioresource Technology / 2025 / Q1

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The management of pig slurry is associated with environmental concerns due to its high nitrogen content and greenhouse gas emissions. This work proposes a photobiorefinery concept integrating steam explosion pretreatment, ammonia recovery via gas-permeable membranes, anaerobic digestion, and microbial protein production using purple phototrophic bacteria (PPB). Pretreatment at 145 for 30 min led to 57% solubilization of organic matter and 29% reduction of total solids. More than 99% of ammoniacal nitrogen was recovered from the hydrolysate in less than 3 h. Methane production increased by up to 350% after pretreatment. The recovered nitrogen was used as a nutrient for PPB growth, enabling CO assimilation from biogas under photoautotrophic conditions and microbial protein production. The results demonstrate the feasibility of coupling thermal, biological, and phototrophic processes for the integrated valorization of pig slurry, with simultaneous recovery of energy and nutrients.

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Artículo / Food Bioscience / 2025 / Q1

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Adding poppy seeds to kefir significantly influences its microbiological profile and chemical composition. This study evaluated four kefir formulations: control, kefir spiked with low and high concentrations of opium alkaloids (OAs), and one with naturally contaminated poppy seeds. Samples were analysed during fermentation (0, 6, and 24 h) and following one week of cold storage. Key parameters were monitored, such as pH, microbial counts, carbohydrate fractions, organic acid profiles, and OA levels. Our findings reveal that kefir with poppy seeds exhibits distinct microbial dynamics, accelerated lactose degradation (with lactose levels dropping to as low as 0.3 g/100 g), and elevated production of lactic acid. Notably, while most OAs remained relatively stable throughout fermentation and storage, morphine levels decreased by over 50 % after cold storage. These results suggest that the intrinsic microbiota of poppy seeds enhances the fermentative process, improving lactose reduction and favouring the production of kefir more suitable for intolerant consumers. Furthermore, the importance of controlling OA levels to ensure food safety is highlighted. This study provides a solid basis for the development of functional fermented dairy products. 

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Amaral, L. O., Ortiz-Bustos, J., Horta, A. C., Amaral, J. S., Gómez-Ruiz, S., Del Hierro, I., & Daniel-Da-Silva, A. L. 

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Artículo / Separation And Purification Technology / 2025 / Q1

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The persistent detection of the neonicotinoid pesticide acetamiprid (ACE) in aquatic environments, driven by its chemical stability and water solubility, necessitates the development of more efficient remediation strategies. In this work, magnetic MoS2–Fe3O4 nanocomposites were synthesized for the combined adsorption and photocatalytic removal of ACE. Two composites with MoS2: Fe3O4 mass ratios of 5:1 (MF-5:1) and 2:1 (MF-2:1) were prepared by solvothermal growth of Fe3O4 on pre-synthesized MoS2 nanosheets and characterized using XRD, FTIR, XPS, SEM, TEM, and electrochemical techniques. MF-5:1 exhibited superior performance, removing 55 % of ACE (10 ppm) after 3 h of UV–VIS irradiation and retaining 40 % efficiency after three reuse cycles. Langmuir isotherm analysis revealed maximum adsorption capacities of 26.1 mg/g for MoS2 and 19.2 mg/g for MF-5:1, exceeding values reported for many conventional adsorbents. Although Fe3O4 incorporation slightly reduced adsorption capacity, it enabled magnetic separation, facilitating material recovery. Photocurrent and Mott–Schottky analyses confirmed enhanced charge separation and donor density, contributing to improved photocatalytic activity. These findings demonstrate the potential of MoS2–Fe3O4 nanocomposites as multifunctional, magnetically recoverable materials for pesticide removal and provide new insights into surface and charge transport properties relevant to environmental remediation technologies.

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Orfila, M., Pérez, A., Díaz-Correas, E., Logar, N. Z., Linares, M., Sanz, R., Marugán, J., Molina, R., & Botas, J. A. 

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Artículo / International Journal Of Hydrogen Energy / 2025 / Q1

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The production of green hydrogen is one of the main targets of current energy and environmental policies. In this context, thermochemical water splitting is one of the potential methodologies that enable its production. This process is based on the thermal reduction of a metal oxide, followed by its re-oxidation with water releasing hydrogen. The main problem of this process, which hinders its full-scale application, is that reducing the metal oxide usually requires very high temperatures (>1500 °C). To decrease this reduction temperature, non-stoichiometric oxides such as perovskites have been proposed. In a previous work, the authors have presented La1-xSrxMeO3±δ (x = 0.2–0.4; Me = Mn, Fe and Co) perovskites as active materials decreasing the operation temperature to 1400 °C. However, those perovskites showed a significant lack of stability upon cycling, limiting their use in a future scale-up of the process. In this work, we present a multi-substituted perovskite type A1-xA'xB1-yB'yO3±δ (La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3±δ, named LSCF) as redox material with increasing stability and remarkable activity in the hydrogen production cycles even at temperatures below 1000 °C. This material was synthesised by reactive grinding as a green synthesis method optimising the variables of the process. Three reduction temperatures for the thermochemical water splitting were evaluated in the range 800–1200 °C at the same oxidation temperature of 800 °C. LSCF perovskite has been used in powder form with a H2 production of 5.22 cm3STP/gmaterial·cycle when the reduction was performed at 800 °C and 6.83 cm3STP/gmaterial·cycle when this reduction step was performed at 1000 °C. Afterwards, the LSCF was shaped into two different macroporous structures looking for a potential scaling-up of the process: reticulated porous ceramic structure (RPC) and a ceramic monolith structure with straight and well-ordered channels in which the perovskite forms a thin layer over the internal channels surface. The macroscopic structures exhibited good activity and stability working isothermally at 800 °C under N2 atmosphere, reaching H2 productions higher than 10 cm3STP/gmaterial·cycle. Particularly, the monolithic structure, characterised by its open macroporosity improves the heat transfer phenomena and the contact between the gas-phase and the perovskite, obtaining a stable hydrogen production under isothermal conditions of 17 cm3STP/gmaterial·cycle at 800 °C. That could be increased up to 32.5 cm3STP/gmaterial·cycle when the reduction step of the thermochemical water splitting is performed at 1000 °C. To the best of our knowledge, this is the higher value obtained for hydrogen production by a perovskite in this application at this reaction conditions. These results confirm the LSCF as a potential material for green hydrogen production by low-temperature thermochemical cycles.

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Autores:

Águila-Carricondo, P., García-García, R., De la Roche, J. P., Galán, P. L., Bautista, L. F., Espada, J. J., & Vicente, G.

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Artículo / Marine Drugs / 2025 / Q1

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This study presents a biorefinery approach for Aphanizomenon flos-aquae, demonstrating its potential as a dual source for phycocyanin and biogas. The antioxidant capacity of the extract was evaluated using the ABTS•+ assay, while flow cytometry determined its cytotoxic effects on breast cancer (HCC1806) and brain glioma (U-118 MG) cell lines, comparing pure C-phycocyanin to the non-purified extract. The non-purified extract scavenged 77% of ABTS•+ radicals at 2.4 mg/mL, compared to 22% for pure C-phycocyanin. In U-118 MG cells, pure C-phycocyanin accounted for 55.5% of the 29.9 ± 6.1% total mortality observed with the non-purified extract at 0.75 mg/mL. HCC1806 cytotoxicity (80.9 ± 5.1% at 1 mg/mL) was attributed to synergistic effects of other extract components. The spent biomass was valorized through anaerobic digestion for biogas production, enhancing process sustainability. At a 2:1 inoculum-to-substrate ratio, the anaerobic digestion of the spent biomass yielded 447 ± 18 mL CH4/gVS, significantly higher than the 351 ± 19 mL CH4/gVS from the initial biomass. LCA estimated the environmental impacts of the A. flos-aquae biorefinery for phycocyanin production, targeting the cosmetic, food, and nutraceutical sectors, and highlighting the benefits of spent biomass valorization to produce biogas within a circular economy framework. This integrated approach demonstrates the potential of A. flos-aquae for the sustainable production of high-value compounds and renewable energy.

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Delgado‐Rodríguez, S., Del Pozo, G., Contreras, P., Arredondo, B., Vishwanathreddy, S., Parion, J., Ramesh, S., Aernouts, T., Aguirre, A., & Romero, B. 

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Artículo / Solar RRL / 2025 / Q1

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Perovskite solar cells are one of the most promising photovoltaic technologies in the last decades. Inverted (p–i–n) cells using NiOX as hole-transport layer (HTL) have gained attention due to their easy fabrication methods and high stability, although they often exhibit reduced efficiencies due to non onlyoptimized energy-level alignment. To address this issue, different approaches have been developed, such as the use of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on top of the HTL. Herein, a comparative study between regular p–i–n cells and cells using Me-PACz as an SAM on top of NiOX is we presented. Devices with SAM exhibit enhanced open-circuit voltage and efficiency. Temperature DC and AC characterization reveals that the incorporation of SAM reduces recombination at the interface, as seen from the comparison of the perovskite bandgap (1.6 eV) and carrier activation energy ≈1.1 and ≈1.59 eV for reference and SAM, respectively. Finally, an outdoor degradation experiment with minimodules has been conducted. The experiment spanned for more than 500 days, and results show that minimodules with SAM were less stable than those based on the reference layer structure. This is due to a severe decrease in the short-circuit current, which could be attributed to a deterioration of the SAM spacer.

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Autores:

Calderón‐Villajos, R., Vázquez‐López, A., Jiménez‐Suárez, A., Sánchez‐Romate, X. X. F., & González-Prolongo, S.

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Artículo / Polymer Composites / 2025 / Q1

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The self-healing process in PCL (polycaprolactone)/epoxy blends is studied in order to optimize the healing process and understand its underlying mechanism. For this purpose, PCL/epoxy blends are prepared with and without multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) addition. Three different self-healing heat-inducement techniques are used (an oven, Joule effect, and infrared (IR) lamp) as a function of healing time (2, 5, 10, and 15 min) and PCL concentration (5, 10, and 15 wt%). The results obtained demonstrate that the addition of MWCNTs to the polymer matrix in PCL/epoxy blends accelerates the self-healing process, attributed to an improved heat diffusion in MWCNTs/PCL/epoxy blends. The best self-healing results were obtained with the highest self-healing time and concentration of PCL, caused by the higher probability of the crack formation over a PCL reservoir. The most efficient techniques to induce the self-healing process in PCL/epoxy blends with and without MWCNTs are the conventional oven and the Joule Effect, respectively, being faster the latter method, as it induces a homogeneous internal heating of the material. Moreover, Joule effect can be controlled remotely, while IR radiation is a noncontact technique, which can be applied in situ. The three heating methods are evaluated considering these factors alongside their energy efficiency, establishing a method to choose a specific heating source for similar systems.

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Autores:

Rigoletto, M., Rapp, M., Arencibia, A., López‐Muñoz, MJ., Tummino, M. L., De Paz, N. F., & Laurenti, E.

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Artículo /Chem Plus Chem / 2025 / Q2

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The presence of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in drinking water and the food chain is a well-known hazard to human health. Among PTEs, mercury is particularly dangerous for humans and other living organisms due to its wider effects on internal organs. Hg contamination is a critical issue for water bodies used for aquaculture, making its elimination mandatory. Among the techniques proposed for Hg removal, adsorption is advantageous because of its versatility, absence of secondary pollution, and relatively low cost, especially when adsorbents can be obtained from waste materials. In this article, adsorbent materials are synthesized by introducing thiols and primary amino groups into cellulose fibers isolated from soybean hulls. After characterization, the ability of the materials to remove mercury from both ultrapure and aquaculture water solutions is tested. The results confirm the affinity of Hg for thiol groups, leading to the adsorption of 44 mg(Hg)/g in a wide pH range. The amino-modified material adsorbs ≈50% Hg less than the thiol-functionalized one. Test in real water shows that organic matter and salts influence the Hg adsorption process, without affecting the overall efficiency. Finally, in real water, a final concentration below the Hg legal limit for human consumption (1 μg L−1) is found.

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Autores:

Blanco, A., Juan, R., Paredes, B., Domínguez, C., & García-Muñoz, R. A.

Tipo / Medio / Año de publicación / Quartile:

Artículo /Polymer Testing / 2025 / Q1

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The exponential growth in the production and demand for plastic materials has given rise to significant environmental concerns, highlighting the need for effective recycling strategies to reduce plastic waste and give these materials a new life. Nevertheless, recycling plastic materials present a significant challenge. For instance, even trace amounts of polypropylene (PP) in recycled high-density polyethylene (HDPE) can significantly affect its physical, chemical, and mechanical properties. It is therefore imperative to precisely determine the levels of PP contamination, which is the principal objective of this study, to ensure the quality of recycled materials and compliance with regulatory standards in a range of countries. An alternative analytical technique based on a chromatographic method involving the adsorption of the polymer chains in a support, namely Temperature Gradient Interaction Chromatography (TGIC) is evaluated. To ascertain the efficacy of the proposed method, it has been benchmarked against other established techniques within the recycling industry, such as Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) as well as recently published alternative method, Temperature Rising Elution Fractionation (TREF). This study offers an examination of the advantages and challenges associated with each of these techniques, with the objective of facilitating the selection of an optimal PP quantification method in recycled PE that can enhance the sustainability and quality control of recycled materials.

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Autores:

Martínez, M., López, R., Rodríguez, J., & Salazar, A. 

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Artículo / Theoretical And Applied Fracture Mechanics / 2025 / Q1

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Structural integrity of composite solid propellants (CSPs) is one of the main concerns when considering the performance of CSP motors. The development of cracks in the propellant's grain, caused by aging during the service life of the motor, is the main reason for its catastrophic failure. In addition, the fracture characterization of these viscoelastic and highly filled materials is not fully solved yet and hardly addressed for aged CSP. This manuscript presents a broad and comprehensive study on the fracture behavior of aged CSPs, where Schapery's viscoelastic fracture mechanics (VEFM) methodology is used to effectively characterize the fracture behavior of a composite solid propellant with carboxyl-terminated polybutadiene (CTPB) binder. For that, stress relaxation, fracture and tensile tests have been performed on non-aged and aged CSP. Three different accelerated aging methods were employed (mechanical, thermal and ozone) that are related to the phenomena that deteriorate the material during the lifespan of the motor. Two main contributions are derived from this work. The first one is the understanding of the fracture processes developed in aged CSP, under different types of aging. The second most relevant contribution is that the cohesive stress, as the fracture parameter inferred from the VEFM approach, is observed to be correlated to the dewetting stress, a material measurable parameter. The results have potential implications for the design and longevity of future solid rocket propellants.

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Autores:

Vicente-Zurdo, D., Gómez-Mejía, E., Morante-Zarcero, S., Rosales-Conrado, N., & Sierra, I. 

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Artículo /Molecules / 2025 / Q1

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Recent advancements in analytical strategies have enabled the efficient extraction and characterization of bioactive compounds from agri-food bio-residues, emphasizing green chemistry and circular economy principles. This review highlights the valorization of several agri-food bio-residues for the extraction of high-value-added bioactive compounds, particularly polyphenols, tocopherols, carotenoids, and fatty acids, as a biorefinery approach. To this end, the adoption of environmentally friendly extraction technologies is essential to improve performance, reduce energy consumption, and minimize costs. This study therefore examines emerging methodologies such as supercritical fluid extraction, pressurized liquid extraction, pulsed electric fields, and matrix solid-phase dispersion, highlighting their advantages and limitations. Additionally, the chemical characterization of these bioactive compounds is explored through spectrophotometric and high-resolution chromatographic techniques, crucial for their accurate identification and quantification. This is complemented by an analysis of bioactivity assays evaluating antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer, neuroprotective, and anti-inflammatory properties, with a focus on their applications in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. However, the analytical control of toxic compounds, such as alkaloids, in these bio-residues is undoubtedly needed. Ultimately, this approach not only promotes sustainability but also contributes to the development of eco-friendly solutions in various industries.

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Autores:

Vera-Baquero, F. L., Gañán, J., Casado, N., Pérez-Quintanilla, D., Morante-Zarcero, S., & Sierra, I.

Tipo / Medio / Año de publicación / Quartile:

Artículo /Foods / 2025 / Q1

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Rice husk (RH), a globally abundant agri-food waste, presents a promising renewable silicon source for producing SBA-15 mesoporous silica-based materials. This study aimed to synthesize and bifunctionalize SBA-15 using RH as a silica precursor, incorporating sulfonic and octadecyl groups to create a mixed-mode sorbent, RH-SBA-15-SO3H-C18, with reversed-phase and cation exchange properties. The material's structure and properties were characterized using advanced techniques, including X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, N2 adsorption–desorption isotherms, nuclear magnetic resonance, and electron microscopy. These analyses confirmed an ordered mesoporous structure with a high specific surface area of 238 m2/g, pore volume of 0.45 cm3/g, pore diameter of 32 Å, and uniform pore distribution, highlighting its exceptional textural qualities. This sorbent was effectively utilized in solid-phase extraction to purify 29 alkaloids from three families—tropane, pyrrolizidine, and opium—followed by an analysis using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to ion-trap tandem mass spectrometry. The developed analytical method was validated and applied to gluten-free bread samples, revealing tropane and opium alkaloids, some at concentrations exceeding regulatory limits. These findings demonstrate that RH-derived RH-SBA-15-SO3H-C18 is a viable, efficient alternative to commercial sorbents for monitoring natural toxins in food, offering a sustainable solution for repurposing agri-food waste while addressing food safety challenges.Keywords: rice husk; bifunctionalized SBA-15; solid-phase extraction; tropane alkaloids; pyrrolizidine alkaloids; opium alkaloids; multifamily analytical methodology; food control.

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Autores:

Carena, L., García-Gil, Á., Marugán, J., & Vione, D.

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Artículo / Foods / 2025 / Q1

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Photochemical mineralisation is an abiotic process by which the organic matter in natural waters, which is mostly dissolved, is eventually transformed into CO2 by the action of sunlight. The process has important implications for global C cycling, the penetration of sunlight into the water column, photochemical reactions, and microbial processes. Here we applied an approximated photochemical model to assess the extent of CO2 photogeneration by mineralisation of dissolved organic matter in lakes located between 60°S and 60°N latitude. The results suggest that, although lake-water organic matter would usually undergo faster photomineralisation in the tropical belt than elsewhere, by far the highest contributions to the photochemical production of CO2 would come from lakes located between 30°N and 60°N latitude. In particular, of the ~7 × 104 lakes we selected for the study, around 50 % of CO2 photogeneration would be accounted for by just 7 large lakes, of which only one is located in the tropical belt. It appears that the lake surface is a very important factor that affects the overall photomineralisation potential of dissolved organic matter.

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Autores:

Vera-Baquero, F. L., Pérez-Quintanilla, D., Morante-Zarcero, S., & Sierra, I.

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Artículo / Food Chemistry / 2025 / Q1

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A sample preparation procedure for the analysis of tropane alkaloids (atropine and scopolamine) in multigrain cereal-based baby products (MGBP) has been optimized in this study. The protocol was based on a solid-liquid extraction, followed by purification by solid-phase extraction with MCM-41 functionalised with sulphonic acid groups as sorbent, before the analysis by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry. The method was successfully validated with limits of quantification of 0.005 and 0.05 μg/kg for atropine and scopolamine, respectively. The analysis of a quality control material (TAs in baby food multigrain) demonstrated the suitability for the purpose of the methodology. The analysis of twenty commercial MGBP (mixtures of 2 to 10 cereal flours, with honey, milk, fruit pulp or juices) purchased between 2016 and 2024, revealed the presence of atropine (between 0.07 and 1.0 μg/kg) and scopolamine (between 0.15 and 12 μg/kg) in all the MGBP analysed.

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Autores:

Salazar, A., Martínez, M., Reinhards, C., Rico, A., & Rodríguez, J.

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Artículo / Engineering Fracture Mechanics / 2025 / Q1

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Autores:

Tang, W., Chen, Q., Li, J., Ao, X., Liu, Y., Qian, L.,González-Prolongo, S., Qiu, Y., & Wang, D.

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Artículo / Nano-Micro Letters/ 2025 / Q1

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Developing high-efficient flame-retardant coatings is crucial for fire safety polymer and battery fields. Traditional intumescent coatings and ceramifiable coatings struggle to provide immediate and prolonged protection simultaneously, which limits the applicability. To address this, an innovative bi-layered coating with organic/nano-inorganic additives is inspired by differential response behaviors, enabling relay response effect with both fast-acting and extended protection. Specifically, two layers function continuously in the form of a relay. With a mere 320 microns, the bi-layered coating withstands fire temperatures of up to 1400 °C for at least 900 s. Consequently, the coating effective prevented burn through in aluminum plates and glass fabric-reinforced epoxy resin, which otherwise were burned through in 135 and 173 s, respectively. Meanwhile, the bi-layered coating suppressed the formation and decomposition of solid interface layer in lithium soft-package batteries, leading to prolonged electrochemical stability and fire safety. Additionally, the bi-layered coating with a fast response endows polyurethane foam with rapid self-extinguishing, preventing ignition even under exposure to strong fire of 1400 °C. Shortly, our work offers new insights into the design and development of thin, high-performance, and multi-application flame-retardant coatings.

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Autores:

González-Banciella, A., Martinez-Diaz, D., Kundu, M., Sánchez, M., & Ureña, A.

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Artículo / Journal Of Power Sources / 2025 / Q1

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Ghosh, A., Tian, S., Zhang, M., Gómez, I. L., Chen, Q., Islam, M., Bhatia, B., González-Prolongo, S., Lochab, B., & Wang, D. 

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Artículo / Advanced Functional Materials / 2025 / Q1

Autores:

Collado, I., Vázquez-López, A., Jiménez-Suárez, A., & González-Prolongo, S.

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Artículo / Chemical Engineering Journal / 2025 / Q1

Autores:

Fernández-Pintor, B., Perestelo, R., Morante-Zarcero, S., Sierra, I., & Câmara, J. S..

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Artículo / Molecules / 2025 / Q1

Autores:

Collado, I., Vázquez-López, A., Heredia, S., De la Vega, J., Jiménez-Suárez, A., Maestre, D., & González Prolongo, S.

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Moya, A., Sánchez-Fuente, M., Linde, M., Cepa-López, V., Del Hierro, I., Díaz-Sánchez, M., Gómez-Ruiz, S., & Mas-Ballesté, R. 

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Ferreira, A. P., Baldo, A. P., Silva, A. S., Natal, A. P. S., Bezerra, A. J., Diaz de Tuesta, J.L., D., Marin, P., Peres, J. A., & Gomes, H. T.

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Vera-Baquero, F. L., Morante-Zarcero, S., Pérez-Quintanilla, D., & Sierra, I. 

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Artículo / Advanced Composites And Hybrid Materials  / 2025 / Q1

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Artículo / Smart Materials And Structures  / 2025 / Q1

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Landazábal, F. J., Ventura, M., Paniagua, M., Melero, J. A., & Morales, G.     

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Artículo / Catalysis Today / 2025 / Q1

Increasing carbon dioxide gas emissions in the aviation industry, together with the depletion of fossil fuel sources, are serious issues that require researchers to develop bio-jet fuel from sustainable renewable sources. A promising approach is the use of highly abundant and economic lignocellulosic waste biomass, from which furanic compounds can be derived. However, to obtain C9-C15 jet fuel-compatible products, C-C coupling strategies are mandatory to increase the chain length of the furanic platforms. Furthermore, there exists an uncovered potential for integrating fermentation-derived platforms, like acetoin, in advanced bio-jet fuel production routes. In this sense, this work explores the C-C coupling of acetoin, a fermentation-derived molecule, with 2-methylfuran (2-MF), a lignocellulose-derived molecule that can be obtained from selective hydrogenolysis of furfural, via hydroxyalkylation/alkylation (HAA). This solvent-free acid-catalyzed reaction yields oxygenated adducts incorporating one molecule of acetoin and 1-3 molecules of 2-MF (9–19 C atoms) that display high potential as bio-jet fuel precursors. However, side reactions are also present, coming from the auto-condensation of acetoin and/or 2-MF, yielding heavier or more oxygenated undesired compounds, so that selectivity appears as the key parameter in the catalyst performance. In this work, sulfonic acid-based resin Amberlyst-15 has displayed high activity and selectivity towards the most interesting di-condensed C14 compound, herein denoted as Ac(MF)2, which evidences the benefits of applying strong Brønsted acid sites allocated within a polymer matrix in high surface concentration. The optimization of the reaction conditions, assessed with the help of response surface methodology, led to over 77 % yield to Ac(MF)2 with acetoin conversion around 90 %, under the optimized reaction conditions (60 °C, 2-MF/acetoin = 2.5 (mol), 6 h, catalysts loading 20 wt% referred to acetoin). Amberlyst-15 catalyst was tested in a 5-cycle reusability experiment, keeping an acceptable level of catalytic activity and selectivity despite evidence of fouling due to the formation of organic deposits. These results pave the way for a new route of bio-jet fuel production starting from already established biomass-derived platform molecules.

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Autores:

Roman, F. F., Batista, M. C., Silva, A., Bezerra, A. J. B., Diaz de Tuesta, J.L., Mambrini, R. V., Silva, A. M. T., Faria, J. L., & Gomes, H. T..     

Tipo / Medio / Año de publicación / Quartile:

Artículo / ChemCatChem / 2025 / Q1

The conversion of plastic solid waste into carbon nanotubes (CNTs) via chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and the effectiveness of these CNTs as catalysts for oxidative desulfurization (ODS) of a simulated fuel were investigated. The primary focus is on the use of CNTs synthesized from various polymer sources, including polyolefins and polystyrene (PS), to remove sulfur compounds using hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) as an oxidant. The surface modification of CNTs by using acids (H2SO4 or HNO3), the influence of the carbon feedstock (polyolefins vs PS), the use of co-catalysts, and the effect of the extractant phase were all evaluated on the oxidative removal of dibenzothiophene from a simulated fuel. Results revealed that CNTs derived from polyolefins displayed higher desulfurization efficiency (up to 77% in 8 h), with nitric acid-treated CNTs showing the best performance under oil-water biphasic systems. Replacing water with acetonitrile and adding a co-catalyst (formic acid) resulted in a desulfurization of 91% in 2 h of reaction. Under certain conditions, C─S bond cleavage was observed. This research contributes to the valorization of plastic solid waste and the reduction of atmospheric pollution, promoting circular economy practices and environmental sustainability.

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Autores:

Ávila, M., Alonso-Doncel, M., Cueto, J., Briones, L., Gómez-Pozuelo, G., Escola, J. M., Serrano, D., Peral, A., & Botas, J.A. 

Tipo / Medio / Año de publicación / Quartile:

Artículo / Catalysis Today / 2025 / Q1

Synthesised H-ZSM-5 and H-Beta zeolites with hierarchical porosity (h-H-ZSM-5 and h-H-Beta) have been ion-exchanged with alkali (Na+ and K+) and alkaline-earth (Mg2+) metals and have been evaluated as catalysts to produce high value-added products through catalytic pyrolysis of lignin. In comparison with the thermal test, hierarchical zeolites in acid form are effective catalysts for lignin pyrolysis, favouring the production of valuable light compounds although reducing bio-oil* yield and increasing gas and coke formation. In this way, h-H-ZSM-5 zeolite promotes the formation of oxygenated aromatics, being guaiacols and syringols the major products. Alkali-exchanged variants of this zeolite enhance demethylation reactions improving the selectivity towards 2-methoxy-phenol and syringol, by modifying acid site properties. On the other hand, h-H-Beta zeolite, with larger pore size and stronger acidity, leads to higher concentration of oxygenated aromatics for both parent and ion-exchanged catalysts. Specifically, h-KH-Beta promotes the production of 2-methoxy-phenol and syringol. Besides, h-MgH-Beta stands out for its greater selectivity towards phenol and alkylphenols, such as dimethylphenol. Overall, the combination of accessibility, provided by the hierarchical porosity, with the different nature and strength of the acid sites, induced by the ion-exchange with alkali and alkaline-earth metals, allows tailoring the lignin catalytic pyrolysis process to selectively produce high value-added compounds.

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Autores:

Xu, J., Vázquez‐López, A., Del Río Sáez, J. S., De la Vega, J., Collado, I., González-Prolongo, S., Giannetti, R., Wu, J., & Wang, D.

Tipo / Medio / Año de publicación / Quartile:

Artículo / Polymer Composites / 2025 / Q1

Composite nanomaterials comprise emerging materials for triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs), as they provide higher voltage output than pristine polymer-based systems. Currently, efforts are aimed at improving the charge transfer between the tribolayers, which could be obtained by nanomaterial doping. Herein, the effect of synthesized single-walled carbon nanohorns (SWCNHs), an alternative to conventional carbon nanotubes (CNTs), on two different materials, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is studied. In both cases, the addition of SWCNHs increases the dielectric constant of the layers. The TENG with the modified PDMS (mPDMS) showed the maximum voltage output, almost duplicating the one obtained with the pristine sample. Furthermore, a possible Internet of Things (IoT) application has been demonstrated, with the use of wireless technology and Lo-Ra communications as a gait sensor to provide evolution and information regarding the health condition and the footprint of a patient.

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Autores:

Díaz‐Mena, V., Sánchez‐Romate, X. X. F., Sánchez, M., & Ureña, A.     

Tipo / Medio / Año de publicación / Quartile:

Artículo / Advanced Sustainable Systems / 2025 / Q1

Wearable electronics have gained increasing attention due to their potential in real-time health monitoring applications. However, the environmental impact and waste associated with non-recyclable materials used in these devices remain critical challenges. This study investigates the reprocessing and recyclability of flexible strain sensors based on Poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) nanocomposites reinforced with carbon nanotubes (CNT) and graphene nanoplatelets (GNP). The nanocomposites are subjected to multiple recycling cycles using a solvent casting method, and their electrical and electromechanical properties are thoroughly analyzed. Microstructural characterization revealed improved nanoparticle dispersion with recycling, albeit with distinct behavior for CNT and GNP due to differences in aspect ratio and geometry. Electrical tests demonstrated a reduction in conductivity for CNT-based sensors due to nanoparticle breakage, while GNP-based sensors exhibited stable conductivity. Electromechanical tests indicated enhanced sensitivity after recycling, with GNP-based sensors showing superior robustness. Proof-of-concept tests, including monitoring knee joint movements and breathing patterns, validated the functionality of recycled sensors in health monitoring applications. The findings highlight the potential of reprocessed PVDF-HFP nanocomposite sensors as sustainable, high-performance materials for wearable electronics.

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Autores:

Blanco-Cejas, J., Fernández-Ruiz, I., Hernández, B., Gutiérrez-Sánchez, P., Montaña, M., García, B., Bautista, L.F., Moreno, J., & Iglesias, J.

Tipo / Medio / Año de publicación / Quartile:

Artículo / Catalysis Today / 2025 / Q1

This work assesses the influence of temperature, catalyst loading and water content on the dehydration of sorbitol to isosorbide using a commercially available porous strong acid resin (Amberlyst A70). The results from the catalytic tests show that the presence of water critically drops the reaction efficiency. Water not only participates in the dehydration reaction but also interacts with the sulfonic acid groups of the catalyst, competing for the adsorption to the catalytic sites with the substrate and intermediate products, varying the performance of the sulfonic acid resin. This has a strong influence on the kinetics of the transformation, so that a comprehensive assessment of different kinetic models for heterogeneous catalytic systems evaluating the role of saturation of catalytic sites, different adsorption isotherms, and different controls in the mass transfer has been carried out. Among all the studied alternatives, the model that describes the best the reaction performance is a Langmuir-Hinshelwood-Hougen-Watson model with saturation on the catalytic sites featured by mass transfer control in the desorption of the intermediate and final products. Despite the experimental tests have been performed in stirred tanks and other studies have not addressed mass transfer from the pores to the solvent core, the control mostly occurs at the catalyst pores. This is particularly observed for the sorbitans acting as intermediate products since they suffer from limitations in desorption and the latter adsorption to continue with the reaction to sorbitans. This study sheds light on the behaviour of strong cation exchange resins as heterogeneous acid catalysts in dehydration reactions, quite common transformations, specially important in the conversion of highly oxygenated biomass-derived molecules.

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Autores:

Fernández-Pintor, B., Gañán, J., Pérez-Quintanilla, D., Morante-Zarcero, S., & Sierra, I.

Tipo / Medio / Año de publicación / Quartile:

Artículo / Advances In Sample Preparation / 2025 / Q2

A spherical ordered mesoporous silica functionalized with octadecylsilane ligand (SM-C18) was successfully synthesized and characterized, showing 647 m2/g of surface area, 45 Å of pore size, 4–6 μm of particle diameter and 0.37 mmol/g of functionalization degree. 1.5 mg of SM-C18 were packed into EPREP micro-solid phase extraction (µSPEed) cartridges for use with a handheld programmable digital analytical syringe (digiVOL®) to develop a sample preparation protocol for the analysis of two tropane (TAs) and twenty-one pyrrolizidine (PAs) alkaloids. The SM-C18 demonstrated greater retention capacity compared with commercial C18/hydrophilic amorphous silica sorbent. The optimized extraction conditions were as follows: 100 µL of methanol (2 cycles) and 100 µL of H2O (2 cycles) for conditioning, 100 µL of H2O-reconstituted sample (10 cycles), for a total of 1 mL of sample loaded, and 100 µL of methanol (2 cycles) for elution, followed by subsequent analysis by UHPLC-MS/MS. The method was successfully validated, showing good recoveries ranging between 91 and 97 %, low quantification limits and absence of matrix effect for the twenty-tree alkaloids. Additionally, cartridges packed with SM-C18 material allow for better reusability compared to the commercial material, as it has been demonstrated that they can be used for at least 75 extractions. This significantly enhances the method's sustainability. Finally, it was applied to 25 samples of flower extract supplements (FES). In two different batches of the sample obtained from Convolvulus arvensis flowers (FES4a and FES4b), atropine and scopolamine were quantified.

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Autores:

Sirvent, P., Lozano, A., Garrido-Maneiro, M. A., Poza, P., Vaz, R. F., Albaladejo-Fuentes, V., & Cano, I. G.

Tipo / Medio / Año de publicación / Quartile:

Artículo / Precision Engineering / 2025 / Q1

Additive manufacturing, and particularly the cold spray technology for additive manufacturing (CSAM), is fast becoming a key technology to produce components in an efficient and environmentally friendly manner. This method usually requires a final rectification to generate specific surface topographies. The novelty of this paper is related to the capabilities of the CSAM technique to control the surface topography of the samples. Thus, this work investigates the topography of CSAM samples and its correlation with the processing parameters. Pure Al and Ti samples were manufactured following two different deposition strategies: traditional and metal knitting. This last strategy constitutes a promising alternative for CSAM to obtain near-net-final shape components. The topography was analyzed by confocal microscopy considering the form, waviness, and roughness components. Moreover, the microstructure and mechanical properties of the samples were also investigated in order to assure reliable freestanding CSAM deposits. Results showed that the waviness was controlled by the spraying line spacing, and that the waviness and roughness profiles of the metal knitting samples presented the largest wavelengths regardless the material. The metal knitting method generated samples with higher thickness and porosity than the traditional strategy, while the mechanical properties at the local scale were not varied. The study highlights the CSAM technology potential for controlling the deposit's surface topography.

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Autores:

Artigas‐Arnaudas, J., Sánchez, M., & Ureña, A.

Tipo / Medio / Año de publicación / Quartile:

Artículo / Polymer Composites / 2025 / Q1

One potential solution to the problem of energy storage in certain transportation vehicles is the development of multifunctional materials. Specifically, structural supercapacitors offer a combination of mechanical strength and energy storage capabilities, which could replace vehicle components and reduce overall vehicle weight. However, structural electrodes made from carbon fiber face a significant limitation due to their low specific surface area. This study examines the direct synthesis of metal-organic frameworks on the surface of carbon fibers. Structures such as ZIF-8 and ZIF-L can be easily synthesized from the same metal-organic precursors and exhibit high surface areas, making them ideal for this application. Both ZIF structures form a continuous coating on the carbon fiber, increasing the specific surface area of the electrodes. For the ZIF-8 structure, the coating achieves a thickness of 1 μm and a specific surface area of 30.24 m2/g. In contrast, the sheet-like geometry of the ZIF-L results in greater thicknesses, though with a lower specific surface area of only 0.7 m2/g. The potential use of these electrodes in supercapacitor devices has been demonstrated through the assembly of structural supercapacitors with a polymeric solid electrolyte. The supercapacitor with ZIF-8 electrodes has achieved a specific capacitance of 7.78 mF/g. Despite the limitations associated with internal resistance, all structural electrodes have shown stability over charge and discharge cycles.

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Autores:

Molina, C., Abdrassilova, A., Ávila, M., Alonso-Doncel, M., Cueto, J., Gómez-Pozuelo, G., Briones, L., Botas, J., Serrano, D., Peral, A., & Escola, J.

Tipo / Medio / Año de publicación / Quartile:

Artículo / Microporous And Mesoporous Materials / 2025 / Q1

The preparation of hierarchical USY zeolite, exhibiting uniform mesoporosity and high Si/Al atomic ratio (48–52), has been investigated by means of a surfactant/ammonia post-treatment applied to a commercial USY sample. The procedure involved the use of temperatures within 40–135 °C, a low ammonia concentration solution (0.05 N) and hydrothermal synthesis times of 20 h. When working at 40–80 °C, the obtained USY samples exhibit enhanced intraparticular mesoporosity (324–418 m2 g−1), showing increasingly uniform mesopores around 4.0 nm, while holding a remarkable zeolitic microporosity (413–363 m2 g−1). In contrast, higher temperatures resulted in a steady abatement of crystalline zeolitic domains, with a total collapse of the zeolite structure at 135 °C. These hierarchical USY materials were tested in the alkylation of phenol with isopropanol, wherein one of the obtained products, e.g. 2,6-diisopropylphenol (Propofol), is the most important intravenous anaesthetic in the market. Interestingly, the generation of the uniform mesoporosity in USY samples led to an enhancement of both the phenol conversion and the selectivity towards C-alkylation products. Thus, the sample treated at 60 °C (USY-60) gave rise to the highest selectivity towards C-alkylation products (84 %) and poly-alkylphenols formation (72 %), with an encouraging selectivity towards 2,6-diisopropylphenol (43 %).

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Autores:

Abdrassilova, A., Vassilina, G., Abdildina, K., Briones, L., Peral, A., & Escola, J.M.

Tipo / Medio / Año de publicación / Quartile:

Artículo / Microporous And Mesoporous Materials / 2025 / Q1

Despite being discovered more than 25 years ago, mesoporous aluminosilicates are still very relevant materials, considering the huge number of publications appearing every year harnessing them. Their notable features such as high BET surface area, accessible mesopore size, mild acidity and tunable pore wall thickness have resulted in different successful catalytic applications. Additionally, different kinds of mesoporous aluminosilicates may be found in literature (MCM-41, MCM-48, HMS, SBA-15, SBA-16, etc.) that allow to tailor to certain extent some physicochemical properties such as the spatial group, mesopore size and dimension, the pore wall thickness and consequently the hydrothermal stability, for the wanted catalytic application. This review is focused on discussing the main characteristics of the most common mesoporous aluminosilicates and exploring their reported performance in literature as supports of bifunctional catalysts for the hydrodearomatization (HDA) and desulfurization (HDS) of fuels. Although their hydrothermal stability has always been questioned by their lack of crystallinity, several successful applications of both MCM-41 and SBA-15 as supports of bifunctional catalysts for HDA/HDS of model compounds such as dibenzothiophene (DBT) can be found in literature, which in some cases interestingly also point out the prolonged stability of the catalyst, leading towards high yields of fuels by its mild acidity. Additionally, supported metal catalysts over mesoporous aluminosilicates might be the basis for the preparation of advanced bulk metal hydroprocessing catalysts, by application of different etching strategies. Therefore, this review will show these promising catalytic outcomes that opens up the application of mesoporous aluminosilicates as supports of bifunctional catalysts devoted to HDA/HDS of not only model sulfur/aromatic compounds but true fuels as well such as those proceeding from Kazakhstan oil.

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Autores:

Blanco, J., Agirre, I., Gandarias, I., Moreno, J., & Iglesias, J.

Tipo / Medio / Año de publicación / Quartile:

Artículo / RSC Sustainability / 2025 / Q1

Furfural is a key biomass-derived platform chemical with a large market volume, yet its production has largely been outsourced from Europe due to the high energy demand for reactor heating and the significant environmental impact of acidic waste generation. Current industrial processes, predominantly the Chinese Batch Process (CBP), rely on sulphuric acid as a catalyst and require extensive steam stripping, contributing significant environmental constraints. This study explores the feasibility of a more sustainable furfural production by evaluating an alternative process based on a heterogeneous acid catalyst. The proposed process integrates scale-up considerations to improve reactor performance, replacing steam stripping with nitrogen stripping and sulphuric acid with Amberlyst-70® as heterogeneous catalyst. A detailed process simulation, techno-economic analysis (TEA), and life cycle assessment (LCA) were conducted to compare the material and energy balances of both processes and to assess the viability of the heterogeneous catalytic process (HCP). Results indicate that the current selectivity of Amberlyst-70® is insufficient for technical feasibility, as a 5.5-fold improvement in furfural-to-tar selectivity is required to match the steam consumption of CBP. If this target is met, both processes exhibit similar minimum selling prices (>€3000 per t), although significantly above current market levels. However, the HCP presents a potential cost reduction pathway (<€1000 per t) through the valorisation of lignin and cellulose by-products, offering a competitive advantage. Environmental analysis highlights key benefits of the HCP, including a significant reduction in freshwater ecotoxicity by eliminating sulphuric acid and improved energy efficiency through enhanced process integration. Nonetheless, energy consumption and maize cob usage remain critical environmental hotspots. Overall, the study identifies catalyst selectivity as the key bottleneck preventing the implementation of the HCP. Further development of a more selective and stable heterogeneous catalyst, alongside integrated biorefinery strategies, could enable the competitive and sustainable production of furfural.

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Autores:

Uricochea, N., Uzquiano, V., Paniagua, M., Morales, G., & Melero, J. A.

Tipo / Medio / Año de publicación / Quartile:

Artículo / Catalysis Today / 2025 / Q1

The high potential of using levulinic acid and furfural as platform molecules for the production of oxygenated adducts suitable as precursors for SAF synthesis is studied through the aldol condensation of both molecules. The research is the first-time demonstration of solventless acid-catalysed levulinic acid/furfural aldol condensation. The catalytic performance of a commercial H-USY zeolite and two post-synthetic variations thereof, with different dealumination degree and Zr loading, is analyzed, aiming at tuning the acid catalytic properties. The catalyst with an almost complete Al removal accompanied by the highest Zr wt% (Zr-USY-2) gave the best results in terms of selective conversion of furfural, pointing out to the Lewis acid sites as the main active sites to promote the aldol condensation reaction. An experimental design allowed to identify the optimal LA/FAL molar ratio (9/1) and reaction temperature (140 °C), while catalyst loading presented a minor significance. The optimization of the reaction parameters allowed to achieve a maximum furfural conversion of 88 %, combined with a yield towards the desired C10 adducts of 55 %. Furthermore, despite the catalytic performance of this material is slightly impaired in consecutive reaction cycles, it can be recovered with a thermal regeneration step, indicating a good reusability.

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