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Advanced Materials and Technologies for Environmental Sustainability
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Advanced Materials and Technologies for Environmental Sustainability

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Materials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2025 | Viewed by 2961

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Andrzej Biessikirski

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Civil Engineering and Resource Management, AGH University of Krakow, Mickiewicza 30 Av., 30-059 Kraków, Poland
Interests: explosives; ANFO; ammonium nitrate(V); fragmentation; blast-induced vibration; fumes; critical raw materials; mineral extraction
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Łukasz Kuterasiński

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Jerzy Haber Institute of Catalysis and Surface Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, 30-239 Krakow, Poland
Interests: chemistry; zeolite; catalysis; XRD; IR; porosity
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

I am pleased to invite you to contribute to this upcoming Special Issue entitled Advanced Materials and Technologies for Environmental Sustainability. This Special Issue aims to address the challenges posed by the increase in consumption, the transformation of the energy sector, and the increasing demand for high-tech solutions, particularly those involving raw materials. The extraction, processing, and manufacturing of such materials often result in environmental impacts, underscoring the urgent need for innovative approaches that align with the principles of sustainability.

The interdisciplinary nature of this Special Issue reflects the multifaceted research required to achieve sustainable development. We seek contributions that explore advancements in novel materials and cutting-edge technologies, process optimization, safety, and the development of policies related to critical raw materials. These contributions should span various industries, such as mining, construction, energy, chemical, and transportation, to ensure a holistic approach to sustainability.

The scope of this Special Issue includes, but is not limited to, the following topics:

  • Energetic Transformation and Renewable Energy Technologies:

Smart grids, energy management systems, and the application of advanced materials to optimize energy use and reduce emissions.

  • Carbon Management:

Technologies for carbon dioxide capture, storage, and utilization.

  • Process Optimization:

Innovations in reducing energy, water, and material demands, and minimizing greenhouse gas emissions.

  • Sustainable Transportation Systems:

Electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, and their integration into energy-efficient mobility solutions.

  • Circular Economy and Resource Efficiency:

Practices for lifecycle analysis, resource recovery, and waste reduction to support sustainable supply chains.

  • Water Purification and Environmental Remediation:

Advanced technologies for water treatment and pollution control.

  • Sustainable Biomaterials and Agricultural Practices:

The development and application of eco-friendly materials and methods to improve soil health, conserve water, and reduce chemical usage.

We encourage submissions from researchers, industry experts, and policymakers that contribute novel insights or practical applications in these areas. We also welcome the submission of articles that include lifecycle analysis, techno-economic assessments, and case studies of successful implementations.

Prof. Dr. Andrzej Biessikirski
Dr. Łukasz Kuterasiński
Guest Editors

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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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 2400 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

  • sustainable development
  • renewable energy technologies
  • renewable energy technologies
  • process optimization
  • resource efficiency
  • sustainable transportation systems
  • water purification technologies
  • pollution control
  • environmental remediation
  • sustainable agriculture
  • industrial ecology

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  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

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

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

19 pages, 5398 KiB  
Article
Activated Carbon from Selected Wood-Based Waste Materials
by Małgorzata Kajda-Szcześniak, Anna Mainka, Waldemar Ścierski, Mirosława Pawlyta, Dariusz Łukowiec, Krzysztof Matus, Kalina Turyła, Daniel Lot, Weronika Barańska and Anna Jabłońska
Sustainability 2025, 17(7), 2995; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17072995 - 27 Mar 2025
Viewed by 227
Abstract
Extended producer responsibility (EPR) and the circular economy can address the growing challenge of managing wood-based waste in the context of sustainability. This research explores pyrolysis as an effective method for converting wood-based waste, i.e., bamboo flooring (BF) and high-density fiberboard floor panels [...] Read more.
Extended producer responsibility (EPR) and the circular economy can address the growing challenge of managing wood-based waste in the context of sustainability. This research explores pyrolysis as an effective method for converting wood-based waste, i.e., bamboo flooring (BF) and high-density fiberboard floor panels (HDF), into valuable products, particularly char. Char samples were activated through two distinct methods: (1) thermal activation at 700 and 850 °C and (2) chemical activation with KOH. Analytical techniques, including elemental and heavy metals analysis, FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, SEM, and TEM were used to assess the chemical composition and surface characteristics of the produced chars. Elemental analysis showed a notable rise in the amount of carbon to 81% and 75% in BF and HDF, respectively. The nitrogen content was relatively high in HDF at 5.12%. Heavy metals analysis revealed total metal contents ranging from 3632 to 9494 ppm in BF chars and 1717 to 7426 ppm in HDF chars. Raman spectra exhibited characteristic D and G bands, with ID/IG ratios of 0.83 for BF and 0.85 for HDF after activation. SEM and TEM analyses revealed heterogeneous porous structures with dominant carbon elements. The high carbon content, low toxicity, and advantageous elemental composition of the chars make them suitable for environmental applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Materials and Technologies for Environmental Sustainability)
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12 pages, 1232 KiB  
Article
Impact of the Type of Energetic Material on the Fume Emission in Open-Pit Mining
by Andrzej Biessikirski, Michał Dworzak, Mateusz Pytlik and Sonia Nachlik
Sustainability 2025, 17(5), 2075; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17052075 - 27 Feb 2025
Viewed by 320
Abstract
This study examines the fume emissions from various energetic materials utilized in open-pit mining, emphasizing the influence of chemical composition on their environmental impact. The analysis of fume emissions based on data from an open-pit mine reveals that the annual consumption of approximately [...] Read more.
This study examines the fume emissions from various energetic materials utilized in open-pit mining, emphasizing the influence of chemical composition on their environmental impact. The analysis of fume emissions based on data from an open-pit mine reveals that the annual consumption of approximately 89.7 tons of ANFO, 121.4 tons of emulsion, or 137.8 tons of dynamite can result in total COx and NOx emissions ranging between 16,432.88 and 21,834.07 m3. The use of TNT boosters in ANFO and emulsion energetic material further amplified emissions; however, substituting TNT with dynamite for priming achieved a notable reduction in overall fumes by approximately 9–9.5%, depending on the energetic material used. The scale effect of energetic material mass highlighted the importance of optimized formulations for large-scale blasting. A three-year predictive model indicated fluctuations in energetic material demand, with reductions anticipated as deposits deplete. The result of this study offers pathways for reducing emissions and process optimization, particularly in large-scale mining operations, where the blasting technique is the major extraction method. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Materials and Technologies for Environmental Sustainability)
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24 pages, 2724 KiB  
Article
Indium Phosphide Semiconductor Technology for Next-Generation Communication Systems: Sustainability and Material Considerations
by Léa Roulleau, Laura Vauche, Didier Marsan, Hervé Boutry, Léo Colas, Jean-Baptiste Doré, Alexis Divay and Léa Di Cioccio
Sustainability 2025, 17(3), 1339; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17031339 - 6 Feb 2025
Viewed by 877
Abstract
Indium phosphide (InP) semiconductor technology is being explored for radiofrequency (RF) applications, targeting frequencies exceeding 100 GHz, to support the next generation of 6G communication systems. When taking into account sustainability in designing this future generation, growing concerns are emerging regarding the environmental [...] Read more.
Indium phosphide (InP) semiconductor technology is being explored for radiofrequency (RF) applications, targeting frequencies exceeding 100 GHz, to support the next generation of 6G communication systems. When taking into account sustainability in designing this future generation, growing concerns are emerging regarding the environmental impact of communication networks and the reliance on raw materials for the production of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). The extraction, processing, and manufacturing of such materials and semiconductor technologies result in environmental impacts, but these impacts remain insufficiently documented. Firstly, this study evaluates the environmental impacts of manufacturing indium phosphide (InP) wafers based on industrial data and those of InP-based heterojunction bipolar transistors (HBTs) based on early-stage research data. Secondly, this study attempts to highlight the challenges posed by the increasing demand for high-tech solutions, involving raw materials, by evaluating the potential demand for indium for RF 6G applications, with a deployment scenario. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Materials and Technologies for Environmental Sustainability)
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17 pages, 2023 KiB  
Article
Valorization of Energetic Materials from Obsolete Military Ammunition Through Life Cycle Assessment (LCA): A Circular Economy Approach to Environmental Impact Reduction
by Andrzej Maranda, Leszek Wachowski, Bożena Kukfisz, Dorota Markowska and Józef Paszula
Sustainability 2025, 17(1), 346; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17010346 - 5 Jan 2025
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1110
Abstract
Military ammunition and derivative materials that have reached the end of their service life are classified as hazardous waste due to the presence of explosives, necessitating proper decommissioning. Valorization of such materials through the reuse of energetic components offers a sustainable alternative, aligning [...] Read more.
Military ammunition and derivative materials that have reached the end of their service life are classified as hazardous waste due to the presence of explosives, necessitating proper decommissioning. Valorization of such materials through the reuse of energetic components offers a sustainable alternative, aligning with circular economy principles. This study aims to assess the environmental impact of civilian emulsion explosives (EEs) formulated with nitrocellulose powder derived from recycled ammunition, comparing these findings to traditional EEs and EEs containing standard nitrocellulose powder. The Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) was performed using the CML Baseline v3.07 methodology combined with the Ecoinvent 3.8 database, utilizing inventory data obtained from Polish sources. The results indicate that incorporating nitrocellulose powder into conventional EEs increases the overall environmental impact by 4.5%, while utilizing recycled nitrocellulose powder reduces the impact by 4.99%. This highlights the environmental benefits of recycling energetic materials for use in civilian applications, as it not only reduces hazardous waste and reliance on virgin materials but also supports the principles of the circular economy. By closing the loop on material use, this approach promotes environmental sustainability and resource efficiency, aligning with broader goals of sustainable development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Materials and Technologies for Environmental Sustainability)
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