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Separations
Special Issues
Separation Technology for Resource Utilization and Recovery
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Separation Technology for Resource Utilization and Recovery

A special issue of Separations (ISSN 2297-8739). This special issue belongs to the section "Separation Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2026 | Viewed by 6298

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Hao Li

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Chemistry＆Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
Interests: molecular recognition separation; strategic metal recycling; molecular/ion imprinting

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Molecular recognition is a process in which targets achieve mutual binding under specific conditions through the synergistic action of forces such as hydrogen bonding, chelation, surface complexation, and ion exchange, which are widely used for the design of various technologies for the selective separation and recovery of resources in industrial processes and have recently drawn much attention with regard to separation chemistry. With the transition to a low-carbon economy, resource recovery is an integral part of a circular economy; the development of new separation technology for molecular recognition and resource recovery is still an important challenge in the future. This Special Issue, titled “Separation Technology for Molecular Recognition and Resource Recovery”, within the Separations Journal of MDPI, aims to publish original research in new findings on membrane, extraction, adsorption, electrochemical, and other separation technologies for molecular recognition and resource (molecule/ion) recovery and also to underline their impact on environmental applications. Full papers, communications, and reviews are all welcome. We look forward to receiving your work. We will work hard toward the rapid and wide dissemination of your valuable research results, recent developments, and novel applications in the areas of materials, separation and purification, chemical engineering, and the environment.

Prof. Dr. Hao Li
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Separations is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • separation technology
  • membrane separation
  • extraction
  • adsorption separation
  • electrochemical separation
  • molecular recognition
  • molecular/ion imprinting
  • resource recovering
  • metal recycling
  • environment application

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 45671 KB  
Article
Efficient Removal of Sr2+ by a Layered Metal Sulfide K1.36Cd1.12Bi2.80S6 via Ion Exchange
by Lenian Qu, Yuxin Fang, Ziyi Wan, Meiling Feng and Xiaoying Huang
Separations 2026, 13(2), 71; https://doi.org/10.3390/separations13020071 - 18 Feb 2026
Viewed by 386
Abstract
As a fission product of 235U or 239Pu, 90Sr is a β-emitting radionuclide with a relatively long half-life (t1/2 = 28.9 years). Due to its high solubility, easy environmental mobility, and propensity for bioaccumulation within the food [...] Read more.
As a fission product of 235U or 239Pu, 90Sr is a β-emitting radionuclide with a relatively long half-life (t1/2 = 28.9 years). Due to its high solubility, easy environmental mobility, and propensity for bioaccumulation within the food chain, the development of efficient materials for the selective capture of 90Sr2+ is critical for the safe disposal of nuclear waste and environmental protection. In this study, a layered metal sulfide, K1.36Cd1.12Bi2.80S6 (denoted as KCBS), was synthesized via the high-temperature solid-phase method using K2CO3 as the potassium source. KCBS demonstrates high adsorption performance towards Sr2+, achieving a maximum adsorption capacity (qmSr = 77 mg·g−1). Moreover, it can maintain high adsorption efficiency (RSr > 84.15%) across a broad pH range of 2.98–12.01. In addition, KCBS exhibits the outstanding selectivity for Sr2+ removal in the presence of excessive Na+ ions and even in actual water samples. KCBS also possesses regenerability, maintaining its superior adsorption capacity for Sr2+ ions over three cycles. The mechanism study by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses indicates that the efficient Sr2+ capture is attributed to the ion exchange between Sr2+ and interlayer K+ ions in KCBS. This research further highlights the potential of layered metal sulfide ion exchange materials for radionuclide remediation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Separation Technology for Resource Utilization and Recovery)
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18 pages, 4999 KB  
Article
Efficient Resource Utilization and Environmentally Safe Recovery of Platinum Group Metals from Spent Automotive Catalysts via Copper Smelting
by Shubo A, Ganfeng Tu, Shuchen Sun, Yaoyu Yan, Faxin Xiao, Ruifeng Shi, Chengfu Sui and Kuopei Yu
Separations 2025, 12(11), 315; https://doi.org/10.3390/separations12110315 - 11 Nov 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 807
Abstract
Spent automotive catalysts (SAC) not only contain significant amounts of platinum group metals (PGMs) but also hazardous heavy metals, rendering them a solid waste. A harmless technology for the efficient recovery of PGMs through copper smelting has been proposed. By investigating the effects [...] Read more.
Spent automotive catalysts (SAC) not only contain significant amounts of platinum group metals (PGMs) but also hazardous heavy metals, rendering them a solid waste. A harmless technology for the efficient recovery of PGMs through copper smelting has been proposed. By investigating the effects of the CaO/SiO2 mass ratio and Al2O3 content on the properties of the slag, the composition of the slag was adjusted. The influence of copper dosage, Na2B4O7 dosage, smelting temperature, and smelting time on the recovery efficiency of PGMs was also discussed. The determined composition of the target slag was 36.44 wt% CaO, 45.56 wt% SiO2, 12.00 wt% Al2O3, and 6.00 wt% MgO. The optimal processing conditions included 12 wt% Cu, 4 wt% Na2B4O7, smelting temperature 1450 °C, and smelting time 90 min. Ultimately, the recovery efficiency of PGMs reached 99.5%. Compared to traditional plasma furnace smelting methods, PGMs were efficiently recovered at a lower melting temperature. A pilot-scale experiment with a mass of 30 kg also achieved a recovery rate of over 99% for PGMs. TCLP results indicate that the heavy metals were immobilized within the glass slag. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Separation Technology for Resource Utilization and Recovery)
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Review

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46 pages, 15545 KB  
Review
Converting Industrial Inorganic Solid Wastes from Chemical Processes into High-Efficiency Adsorbents: A Review
by Ruiling Du, Xiaoya Li and Shuai Wang
Separations 2026, 13(3), 83; https://doi.org/10.3390/separations13030083 - 3 Mar 2026
Viewed by 263
Abstract
With ongoing development in the process industries, the accumulation of industrial inorganic solid wastes (IISWs) has become increasingly significant. IISWs are characterized by large volume and toxicity and pose challenges in treatment and control. IISWs from chemical processes mainly include red mud (RM), [...] Read more.
With ongoing development in the process industries, the accumulation of industrial inorganic solid wastes (IISWs) has become increasingly significant. IISWs are characterized by large volume and toxicity and pose challenges in treatment and control. IISWs from chemical processes mainly include red mud (RM), zinc slag, lithium slag (LS), electrolytic manganese residue (EMR), phosphogypsum (PG), water treatment sludge (WTS), sewage sludge, blast furnace slag (BFS), steel slag (SS), coal fly ash (CFA), coal gasification slag (CGS), copper smelting slag (CSS), and lead smelting slag (LSS). Having been chemically processed, they exhibit complex compositions that pose challenges for further utilization. In this paper, we comprehensively review the preparation of adsorbents from IISWs as raw materials, the applications of IISW-derived adsorbents, and their adsorption mechanisms. The obtained adsorbents include modified IISWs, zeolites, porous ceramics, and composite and hybrid adsorbents. The adsorption mechanisms, such as van der Waals forces, electrostatic interactions, and π–π interactions, contribute to the rapid adsorption kinetics and high adsorption capacity observed in these adsorbents. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Separation Technology for Resource Utilization and Recovery)
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26 pages, 4510 KB  
Review
Application of Lignin-Derived Carbon Materials in Adsorption and Separation
by Xiaorui Dong, Yunlei Zhang, Shouyan Shao, Hao Li and Xingchen Yan
Separations 2025, 12(4), 88; https://doi.org/10.3390/separations12040088 - 4 Apr 2025
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 4181
Abstract
In the context of sustainable human development and the depletion of petroleum resources, lignin has received widespread attention as a carbon-rich, low-cost, and renewable resource. Owing to their distinctive physical and chemical properties, carbon materials are extensively applied in the fields of adsorption [...] Read more.
In the context of sustainable human development and the depletion of petroleum resources, lignin has received widespread attention as a carbon-rich, low-cost, and renewable resource. Owing to their distinctive physical and chemical properties, carbon materials are extensively applied in the fields of adsorption and separation. The conversion of lignin into diverse multifunctional carbon materials, such as porous carbon, activated carbon, carbon fibers, carbon foams, and carbon aerogels, has emerged as a pivotal strategy for the high-value utilization of lignin. In this paper, representative examples of various lignin-based carbon materials utilized in the field of adsorption and separation over the past decade are reviewed and categorized according to the type of carbon materials, and their preparation methods and adsorption effects are described. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Separation Technology for Resource Utilization and Recovery)
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