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\DOI{10.5802/crchim.305}
\datereceived{2024-02-12}
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%\makeatletter
%\def\TITREspecial{\relax}
%\def\cdr@specialtitle@english{Materials and Clean Processes for Sustainable Energy and Environmental Applications}
%\def\cdr@specialtitle@french{Mat\'eriaux et proc\'ed\'es propres pour des applications \'energ\'etiques et environnementales}
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\title{Materials and clean processes for sustainable energy and
environmental applications: Foreword}

\alttitle{Mat\'eriaux et proc\'ed\'es propres pour des applications
\'energ\'etiques et environnementales : Avant-propos}

\author{\firstname{Salah} \lastname{Jellali}\CDRorcid{0000-0002-4095-4154}}
\address{Centre for Environmental Studies and Research, Sultan Qaboos
University, Muscat, Al-Khoud 123, Oman}
\email[S. Jellali]{s.jelali@squ.edu.om}

\author{\firstname{Patrick} \lastname{Dutourni\'{e}}\CDRorcid{0000-0002-3962-3761}}
\address{The Institute of Materials Science of Mulhouse (IS2M),
University of Haute Alsace, University of Strasbourg, CNRS, UMR 7361,
F-68100 Mulhouse, France}

\author{\firstname{Mejdi} \lastname{Jeguirim}\CDRorcid{0000-0003-2401-5824}\IsCorresp}
\addressSameAs{2}{The Institute of Materials Science of Mulhouse
(IS2M), University of Haute Alsace, University of Strasbourg, CNRS, UMR
7361, F-68100 Mulhouse, France}
\email[M. Jeguirim]{mejdi.jeguirim@uha.fr}

\begin{abstract}
Sustainable development strives to fulfill present human needs while
safeguarding the ability of future generations to meet their own
requirements. Climate change is frequently identified as a major
obstacle to realizing this goal. Our current dependence on fossil fuels
for energy production is the primary contributor to global climate
change. The pivotal solution lies in transitioning to sustainable
energy generation by using natural resources like the sun, water, wind,
biomass, and others. This shift is fundamental to mitigating climate
change and preserving the environment. Utilizing these sources instead
of fossil fuels markedly diminishes greenhouse gas emissions, helps in
the establishment of a carbon-free global economy. This special edition
in Comptes Rendus Chimie (CRC) delves into recent research exploring
the role of natural materials, particularly waste, in the production of
sustainable energy and environmental protection against both gaseous
and liquid pollutants. 
\end{abstract}

\begin{altabstract}
Le d\'eveloppement durable s'efforce de r\'epondre aux besoins actuels
de l'humanit\'e tout en pr\'eservant la capacit\'e des g\'en\'erations
futures \`a satisfaire leurs propres besoins. Le changement climatique
est souvent consid\'er\'e comme un obstacle majeur \`a la r\'ealisation
de cet objectif. Notre d\'ependance actuelle \`a l'\'egard des
combustibles fossiles pour la production d'\'energie est le principal
facteur du changement climatique mondial. La solution essentielle
consiste \`a passer \`a une production d'\'energie durable en utilisant
des ressources naturelles telles que le soleil, l'eau, le vent, la
biomasse et d'autres. Cette transition est fondamentale pour att\'enuer
le changement climatique et pr\'eserver l'environnement. L'utilisation
de ces sources au lieu des combustibles fossiles r\'eduit
consid\'erablement les \'emissions de gaz \`a effet de serre et
contribue \`a la mise en place d'une \'economie mondiale sans carbone.
Cette \'edition sp\'eciale des Comptes Rendus Chimie (CRC) se penche
sur les recherches r\'ecentes qui explorent le r\^ole des mat\'eriaux
naturels, en particulier des d\'echets, dans la production d'\'energie
durable et la protection de l'environnement contre les polluants gazeux
et liquides.
\end{altabstract}

\keywords{\kwd{Sustainable energy}\kwd{Environmental protection}\kwd{Waste}}

\altkeywords{\kwd{\'Energie durable}\kwd{Protection de l'environnement}\kwd{D\'echets}}

\shortrunauthors

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\section{Introduction}

Nowadays, global economic expansion heavily relies on the energy
sector. Most of the consumed energy is still derived from fossil fuels
combustion. This practice has detrimental effects on both human health
and environmental ecosystems. Local air pollution and global warming
are usually linked to the emission of various greenhouse gases (GHGs)
from non-renewable energy systems. Addressing these adverse impacts
underscores the urgent need for the global development of innovative
and sustainable strategies in renewable energy production and storage.
Consequently, the transition to sustainable energy was considered a
focal point in both the Paris Agreement on climate change and the
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). For instance, The
SDG7 main objective is ``Ensure access to affordable, reliable,
sustainable and modern energy for all''.

Sustainable energy is derived from renewable and diverse sources, with
minimal to no generation of GHGs or other pollutants. Embracing this
shift in energy production holds the potential to address various
challenges, including ensuring energy supply security, preserving the
environment, promoting social well-being, and fostering economic
development. A significant focus has been placed on \mbox{developing}
\mbox{eco-friendly,} clean, cost-effective, and scalable technologies not only
for energy production but also for its storage. The use of materials
plays a crucial role in advancing the transition to sustainable energy,
making it a promising research avenue for the upcoming decades. In this
context, the valorization of abundant and recyclable materials holds a
particular interest, offering innovative and cost-effective solutions
for both energy recovery and environmental protection against
pollution.

Recent studies emphasize a significant interest in utilizing organic
materials, such as biomasses, as promising alternatives to fossil
fuels. Simultaneously, these materials offer a sustainable approach to
managing large solid wastes effectively. These materials can serve as
low-cost sources for renewable energy recovery. Various thermochemical
technologies are being explored for this purpose, including
gasification, hydrothermal carbonization, pyrolysis, etc. Some of these
technologies, such as pyrolysis, generate solid residues that can add
substantial values to different sectors, including agriculture and the
environment. For instance, these residues can be employed as
slow-release fertilizers, replacing synthetic and commercial
fertilizers and thereby significantly reducing associated GHGs
emissions. Additionally, when applied as soil amendments in
agriculture, these materials exhibit a remarkable ability to sequester
carbon and nitrogen emissions and to supply the plants with the
required minerals for their development. Moreover, these raw or
modified materials can efficiently contribute to treating liquid and
gaseous effluents, offering an alternative to expensive materials like
activated carbons and other environmentally detrimental technologies.

The current special issue in the journal ``Comptes Rendus Chimie'' is
entitled:
``\href{https://comptes-rendus.academie-sciences.fr/chimie/item/CRCHIM\_2023\_\_26\_S1/}{Materials 
and clean processes for sustainable energy and environmental
applications}''.  It is intended to provide an update on the most
recent research activities regarding the use of natural/advanced
materials as well as eco-friendly industrial processes for the
promotion of sustainable energy production and also environment\break
protection. 

\section{Outcomes} 

This special issue comprises 14 papers that have undergone peer review
process. The papers delve into various subjects, including: (i) the
utilization of cost-effective materials for sustainable energy
production, (ii) the application of both raw and modified materials in
treating effluents for subsequent use within the framework of a
circular economy, and (iii)~the significance of generating sustainable
energy in mitigating climate change and safeguarding the environment.

The first part of this special issue focuses on the optimization of
experimental conditions for the production of renewable energy from
various materials~\cite{1,2,3,4,5}. For example, Yerizam et~al.~\cite{1}
report that increasing the use of deep eutectic solvents and natural
deep eutectic solvents enhances the delignification efficiency and
consequently leads to increased bioethanol production from coconut husk
wastes. Additionally, Kerras et~al.~\cite{2} demonstrate that
pre-treating waste cooking oil with ultrasounds or microwave
irradiations significantly reduces its acidity, resulting in higher
biodiesel production yields (96--98\%). Moreover, based on a study in a
rural Pakistani area, Junejo et~al.~\cite{3} confirm that the use of
natural draft improved cook stoves reduces fuel wood consumption as
well as the emissions of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and
particulate matter. Similarly, the thermochemical conversion of a local
Moroccan wood ``Ficus nitida'' through pyrolysis under various
experimental conditions was investigated~\cite{4}. The results indicate
that the produced biochars exhibit a high calorific value and a high
percentage of carbon. However, the bio-oil produced requires an
upgrading step due to the presence of high contents of aliphatic,
phenolic ketones, and aromatic groups. Likewise, enhanced
physico-chemical and energetic properties of biochars can be achieved
by blending orange peels with various agro-food wastes, and especially
peanut shells and coffee\break grounds~\cite{5}.

The current special issue also explores the extraction of specific
materials from waste or by-products, as well as the modification of
these materials for purposes related to energy, the environment, and
diet~\cite{6,7,8,9}. Within this context, an innovative method was tested
to effectively separate PVC from PET fibers in PVC-coated fabric
waste~\cite{6}. Additionally, safeguarding mild steel against
bio-corrosion was achieved by coating it with polyetherimide-ZnO or CuO
bilayer composites~\cite{7}. Furthermore, a study emphasized the
significance of heat, as well as a combination of heat and
ultrafiltration operations, in influencing the bacterial activity of a
model protein (lysozyme)~\cite{8}. Lastly, the successful production of
a dietary supplement from spirulina and date stones was
demonstrated~\cite{9}. These tablets were proven to be a rich source of
essential nutrients and various active ingredients such as phenolic
compounds and phycocyanin.

This special issue also includes relevant papers addressing the
utilization of specific materials derived from wastes for environmental
and agricultural purposes~\cite{10,11,12,13}. Within this context,
Hosni et~al.~\cite{10} demonstrate that calcined double-layered
hydroxides can exhibit noteworthy treatment efficiency for olive mill
wastewater. Furthermore, Nouira et~al.~\cite{11} reveal that activated
carbons generated from water bottle wastes effectively remove
herbicides from synthetic aqueous effluents. Moreover, these materials
possess properties comparable to sub-bituminous and bituminous
products. Additionally, biochars produced from olive mill solid and
liquid wastes were found to positively influence agricultural soil and
plant growth characteristics~\cite{12}. Lastly, the use of
titanium-based metal oxide anodes is found to be highly effective for
bacteria electro-oxidation~\cite{13}.

In a final contribution, Papamichael et~al.~\cite{14} illustrate that
the current system employed for environmental impact assessment studies
in Greece could be significantly enhanced through improved cooperation
between organizations responsible for environmental affairs,
environmental education, and social training.\vspace*{9pt}\eject

\section*{Declaration of interests}

{\vspace*{-2pt}}

The authors do not work for, advise, own shares in, or receive funds
from any organization that could \mbox{benefit} from this article, and
have declared no affiliations other than their research organizations.

{\vspace*{-2pt}}

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