Posters & flash presentations

Lorena Pardo, Sonia López-Esteban, Armando Reyes-Montero, Ana Laura Conejo-Martínez, Nicolás Pérez

Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Madrid. CSIC. Spain |Instituto de Investigaciones en Materiales. CDMX. Mexico Ingeniería. | Universidad de la República. Montevideo (UY).

Increasingly severe local climatic events cause great human and material losses. Among the major disasters at the global level, it is worth highlighting those caused by rain, snowfall and hailstorms, which stand out from the average values recorded historically. This was the case with the upper-level low pressure system resulting a high impact rainfall event (DANA) in 2024, which caused unprecedented floods in the Spanish Autonomous Communities of Valencia and Castilla-La Mancha in 2024 [1]. Likewise, the hail event of 2018 in Uruguay with devastating results and the torrential rain floods in most of the Mexican territory in this year 2025 are noteworthy. These events are difficult to predict because they are outside the usual ranges covered by the available models, whose improvement requires new data. For this reason, it is necessary to develop electronic instrumentation to measure meteorological variables, which allow increasing the spatial and temporal resolution of the data for use in real time, eliminating the need of waiting for water or hail accumulation. Also, compactness and robustness of the devices, as well as easy integration with electronics, are desired.

Such is the case of the devices for piezoelectric detection of these severe meteorological events, as well as of the erosion caused in large structures by flooding of rivers and streams. Piezoelectric materials and, among them, ferro-piezoelectric ceramics, can generate electrical charges in response to mechanical stress, and they can also exhibit mechanical strain when subjected to an electrical field. These functionalities allow development and implementation of acoustic and vibration sensors for environmental monitoring. The detection of rain and hail events using ferro-piezoelectric ceramics is based on the detection of the vibration produced by impacts in a plate (Fig.1.). For the measurement of erosion, the use of a submerged sensor that measures the energy transmitted between two piezoelectric ceramics is a feasible option. In both cases, the material would be a receiver that allows the vibration produced by the impacts, or by another sensor that acts as an emitter, to be converted in an electrical signal. In the case of erosion, a transmitter-receiver pair is used, and the sensor is immersed in the sediments. In this case, a large part of the energy emitted is transmitted to the medium. When scour occurs, the sensor is exposed, and the energy received increases. Such devices are used in a distributed network. For rain and hail monitoring, the network is located in areas dedicated to agriculture, solar panel installations and critical facilities, while scour detectors of erosion are placed on the pillars of bridges and submerged structures. The need of green piezoceramics, without lead oxide, alternative to the commonly used lead titanate-circonate (PZT), environmentally friendly in their production and end of life cycle, is a critical feature of the design of the device. 

Let us summarize here some of the Sustainable Development Goals in which these devices will have an impact. Number 2, Zero hunger: these devices benefit agriculture, collecting information that contributes to the protection against destructive effects of anomalous climatic events. Number 3, Good health and well-being: these devices, based on non-hazardous materials, monitor data to improve weather forecasting systems, strengthen countries' early warning capabilities, and reduce and manage risks to national and global health. Number 7, Affordable and clean energy: such devices support the use of renewable sources helping to provide alerts for the activation of protection mechanisms. Number 9, Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: investments are needed in technologies that use green, lead-free, piezoceramics. Number 11, Sustainable Cities and Communities: monitoring systems would contribute to significantly reduce the number of deaths caused by water-related disasters, the number of people affected by them and the associated economic losses, especially for people in vulnerable situations. Number 13, Climate action: the new data achieved would improve reliability of prediction models.

Gabriele Mulas1*, Fabrizio Murgia1, Sebastiano Garroni1

 Department of Chemical, Physical, Mathematical and Natural Sciences, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy 

The global demand of Li-ion batteries is rapidly increasing, being the key technology for the devlopment of several industrial sectors, in view of their own electrification paths. The huge amount of generated  waste batteries then poses heavy environmental and economic issues, which recently started to be the focus either of scientific community either of private companies. Present technologies to recover  metals and graphite components, to be considered as critical raw materials, are characterised by low efficiency values, high energy demand and low-value by-products: more selective, efficient and environmentally friendly separation processes should be developed, to make recycling routes economically viable within a circular economy scenario.

Along this line, in this work we present the WAVEE project, recently funded by EU in the framework of MSCA SE 2024, which aims at valorise skills and know-how coming from academic and industrial scientists operating in the field of waste treatment and material science by the development of cutting-edge and low impact recovery methods for critical raw materials arising from spent Li-ion batteries. Within the staff exchange program, research activity, technology transfer and innovation will be the focus of a consortium of 11 Organisations based in EU and South America, addressed to develop safer and greener recovery methods, innovative recycling processes, and to scale-up the newly developed protocols to pre-industrial level.

Fabrizio Murgia*, Matteo Brighi, Gabriele Mulas, Sebastiano Garron, Radovan Černý

*Departement of Chemichal, Physical, Mathematical and Natural Sciences, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy

Department of Quantum Matter Physics, University of Geneva, Quai Ernest-Ansermet 24, CH-1211, Geneva, Switzerland

The unceasing development of electronic devices in modern society highlights the importance of advancing in battery technology, being pivotal in setting the capacity and lifespan of these devices. In particular, batteries embarked in electric vehicles must fulfil stringent requirements, including high energy density, long cycle life, fast charging capability and enhanced safety.(Tiwari et al., 2024) Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) stand as the most widely adopted electrochemical energy storage devices, owing to superior performance in terms of gravimetric energy density (265 Wh kg−1) and number of turnovers. However, they rely on the use of transition metal oxides as positive electrodes, which feature critical raw materials (Li, Co, Ni, etc.), posing geopolitical tensions for their supply, and they raise safety concerns due to the flammability of the liquid electrolyte. To overcome these issues, which potentially hinders a reliable transition towards electrification, post-Li all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs) are on the spot. Based on a solid material as ionic conductor, they allow for the production of more thermally and chemically stable storage devices. Moreover, the presence of a solid material as electrolyte ensure a stand-alone separation between electrodes, thus reducing the dead weight, and its superior electrochemical stability enables the use of high-voltage operating positive electrodes. Lastly, the choice to replace Li with other shuttling ions, most commonly Na, opens the way for more sustainable device production, thanks to the greater availability of larger alkaline ions.(Ferrari et al., 2021) During last years, several classes of solid electrolytes have been studied, such as oxides (NaSICON, Garnet, etc.), sulphides (thiophospates, argyrodites), antiperovskites, halides and hydroborates.(Muzakir et al., 2024) The last group of ionic conductors features salts whose anions are B-H-based clusters, such as [B12H12]2- or C-derivatives [CB11H12] -.(Černý et al., 2021) These large anions have weaker electrostatic interactions and provide vacant sites in their crystalline structure, although fast cation motion is mainly triggered by rapid anion reorientation, leading to ionic conductivities >1 mS cm-1. In addition, outstanding electrochemical stability, high thermal and chemical robustness, soft mechanical properties, low crystallographic density, ease of processing, and low toxicity make them promising candidates for next-generation ASSBs.(Murgia et al., 2021) Nonetheless, several challenges have to be faced, such as the dendrite penetration during battery operation through the SE, which practically set the limiting current density of the electrochemical device. The mechanism underpinning dendrite growth are complex and the studies on the topic, yet limited to very few Li-based materials(Kazyak et al., 2020) suggest relationship with mechanical properties of the SE and multiple pathways for dendrite formation and growth. The aim of the present work is to assess the morphology of dendrites on Na-closoborate based ionic conductors, and to determine the electrochemical conditions at which dendrites establish and grow, as function of cycling conditions, i.e. stack and working pressure, electrode thickness, etc. by means of optic microscopy coupled with galvanostatic cycling on symmetric cells, as well as electrochemical impedance measurements as function of the pressure load,(Brighi et al., 2021) in order to find the conditions that maximize the current density before battery runout and to get more insights on poorly elucidated mechanical properties of SEs for safer and more reliable next-generation batteries. 

Salvatore Nieddu*, Pier Luigi Pinna*, Ilaria Langasco*, Maria I. Pilo*, Nadia Spano*

*University of Sassari - Dept. of Chemical, Physical, Mathematical and Natural Sciences - Via Vienna 2, Sassari (IT) – Corresponding Author Contact: nspano@uniss.it

Since its formulation in 1996 by Anastas and Warner, Green Chemistry has focused on the development of sustainable alternatives to conventional chemical methods and products, whose production, use, and disposal frequently entail risks to human health and the environment, in addition to considerable economic costs[1].

In Instrumental Analytical Chemistry, many established techniques rely heavily on organic solvents, particularly acetonitrile and methanol. While these solvents are effective and reliable, they exhibit significant toxicity, present disposal challenges, and contribute substantially to environmental pollution. For example, a single HPLC system can consume approximately 0.5–1.0 L of eluent daily, generating millions of liters of solvent waste annually alone[2].

Among the twelve principles of Green Analytical Chemistry, the eleventh principle emphasizes minimizing the environmental impact of analytical procedures, including the reduction or substitution of hazardous reagents[3]. Ethanol has been proposed as a safer alternative because it can be produced from biomass and exhibits lower toxicity; however, it still necessitates proper disposal as it’s still an organic solvent[4].

A promising approach involves the use of Deep Eutectic Solvents (DES), which are mixtures of a hydrogen bond donor (HBD) and a hydrogen bond acceptor (HBA) in defined molar ratios[5]. Charge delocalization between the components reduces the melting point of the mixture, conferring peculiar physicochemical properties[6]. DES are less expensive, facile to synthesize (typically through heating and mixing precursors until a clear liquid forms[7]), non-volatile, non-flammable, biodegradable, and biocompatible[2,5,8]. When derived from natural metabolites such as amino acids, carbohydrates or fatty acids, they form the so called Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents (NADES), which are recognized for their comprehensive bio- and eco-compatibility[2].

In analytical chemistry, DES and NADES have demonstrated efficacy in sample pretreatment and extraction, achieving favorable recovery of compounds such as polyphenols[9]. In recent electrochemical studies, DES have been explored as primary solvents[10], whereas their application as pure eluents in chromatographic separations currently remains limited[2]. A significant challenge is that the viscosity and density of DES do not always correspond to those of conventional solvents such as the ones already cited above[11,12].

This study focused on the preparation of several DES via hot mixing of choline chloride (HBA) with various HBDs, including ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycolic acid, and glycerol, in molar ratios ranging from 1:2 to 1:5, as suggested by available literature[2,13,14,15]. Transparent, colorless liquids were obtained after three hours at 80 °C under agitation at 200 rpm, thereby minimizing both energy and water consumption.

In order to assess their potential application as solvents in voltammetry and as eluents in liquid chromatography, the preliminary characterization included:

• pH measurements: following dilution in water, most DES exhibited mildly acidic pH values (4.2–6.8), while those containing glycolic acid or glycerol were more strongly acidic (pH < 4.0);

• UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy: cut-off wavelengths were found to be comparable to those of conventional HPLC eluents. Polarity studies based on Reichardt’s dye (ET(30)) demonstrated that DES prepared with ethylene glycol or propylene glycol possessed polarities similar to methanol;

• Infrared spectroscopy: characteristic absorption bands of the precursors confirmed interactions between HBA and HBD, while excluding the formation of secondary products;

• Conductivity measurements: specific conductivities ranged between 0.500 and 9.000 mS/cm, with the highest values recorded for choline chloride–ethylene glycol systems, indicating potential suitability for electrochemical applications.

Preliminary voltametric studies were carried out using ferrocene as a model analyte, owing to its well-characterized redox behaviour. While these tests confirmed the feasibility of using DES in electrochemical analysis, the potential windows were relatively narrow (0.00–0.85 V), and high viscosity posed challenges for certain solvent systems.

Thus far, the results suggest that DES are a promising and sustainable alternative to conventional organic solvents in instrumental analysis. Nonetheless, further investigation is required in two main directions:

• Advanced characterization, particularly of viscosity and thermal behaviour (e.g., melting points by DSC and thermal stability by TGA);

• Exploration of novel precursor combinations, particularly alternative HBAs, in order to identify DES with better physicochemical properties, especially for electrochemistry.

Achieving these objectives will enable the practical application of DES in analytical methodologies, representing a significant step forward in the advancement of Green Analytical Chemistry.

A.F. Foddaia, F. Murgia, D. Mele, A. Mannu, S. Garroni, G. Mulas. 

Università degli Studi di Sassari | èAmbiente, Z.I. La Marinella, Porto Torres, Sassari | Università degli Studi di Brescia

The steep global rise in lithium-ion battery (LIB) diffusion presents major challenges for the sustainable management of end-of-life cells, emphasizing the urgent need for efficient recover of the critical raw materials that are gathered in. Indeed, developing sustainable recycling processes that reduce environmental impact, limit dependence on primary resources, and avoid releasing hazardous substances is now a key priority (Srinivasan et al., 2025). Current recycling processes are mostly based on pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical methods which, although established, are energy-intensive, produce secondary waste streams, and involve the use of hazardous chemicals, raising environmental and economic concerns. (Rinne et al., 2025);(Liang et al., 2021);(Zanoletti et al., 2024). To address these limitations, innovative approaches, such as the separation via deep eutectic solvents (DES) and microwave-assisted (MW) heating have gained increasing interest. These technologies offer promising advantages, including improved selectivity, energy efficiency, and environmental compatibility in the recovery of strategic metals(Ma et al., 2023). However, their effectiveness is closely linked to the characteristics of the black mass (BM), i.e. the cathodic residue derived from spent battery pre-treatment. BM is inherently heterogeneous, featuring complex mixtures of active materials (e.g. LCO, NMC with different stoichiometric ratios, LFP), conductive additives, binders, and contaminants. In this study, several BM samples sourced from different industrial processes were characterized via powder X-ray diffraction (P-XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The analyses revealed significant morphological and compositional variability, depending on the sample preparation method, ranging from mechanical grinding to manual separation from current collectors. Such a variability complicates phase identification, due to the presence of transition metal oxides with analogous crystal structure. These findings highlight the importance of standardizing BM preparation and characterization protocols, as well as improving our understanding of the metal extraction and purification mechanisms. Moreover, refining pre-treatment steps and managing feedstock heterogeneity are essential to enhance process scalability and industrial feasibility. Ultimately, the development of sustainable LIB recycling technologies requires a multidisciplinary and integrated approach, capable of adapting to diverse material inputs and aligned with the evolving demands of closed-loop supply chains.

Costantino Cau, Maria D. Simula , Fabrizio Murgia , Paola Mameli , Javier Palomares Simon , Jose Bartolomè Gomez , Gabriele Mulas , Sebastiano Garroni

Università degli Studi di Sassari |  Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Madrid (ICMM-CSIC) 

As highlighted in the most recent IPCC report, the greenhouse effect is strongly linked to the continuous increase in CO₂ emissions, primarily driven by the extensive use of fossil fuels, which is contributing to global warming with severe environmental consequences1. Among the various research efforts aimed at mitigation, carbon mineralization, which is encompassed by CCUS (Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage) policies1,2, represents one of the most promising strategies for both reducing and valorising CO₂1,2. Recent studies have shown that CO₂-driven weathering processes via mechanochemical activation, involving gas–solid reactions, can lead to the formation of carbonate phases accompanied by the generation of green hydrogen and light hydrocarbons3-6. Building on this evidence, the present work investigates the reactivity of granite scraps and red muds subjected to mechanical processing, with a focus on structural transformations and gas evolution under different experimental conditions (e.g., pH, milling parameters). Experiments were performed in a modified stainless-steel jar designed for reactive gas introduction. Structural changes and gas compositions were analysed by X-ray diffraction and gas chromatography, respectively. Preliminary results indicate that hydrogen and methane generation can be enhanced by tuning the pH of the analysed systems. Furthermore, XPS surface analysis provided insights that allowed us to propose a mechanism for mineral carbonate growth. The potential of this route for CO₂ transformation, along with related challenges, is also briefly discussed.

Zoubida Taleb1, Abdelhak Serouri,Alberto Mannu,Chahineze Nawel Kedir, Cherifa Hakima Memou, Sebastiano Garroni, Andrea Mele, Oussama Zinai, Safia Taleb

 1Djillali Liabes University, BP 89, SidiBel-Abbès W-22000, Algeria 

The escalating production of waste cooking oils (WCOs) presents a significant environmental challenge, contributing to water and soil pollution. However, these complex waste streams, rich in triglycerides, free fatty acids, and other contaminants, also represent a valuable resource for a circular economy if properly purified. Traditional purification methods often fall short in terms of cost-effectiveness and environmental impact. Adsorption using natural clays, particularly bentonite, offers a promising, sustainable, and economically viable alternative for WCO treatment and repurposing into valuable industrial feedstocks like biofuels and lubricants.

Our study delves into the potential of natural bentonite from Algeria's Maghnia region as a direct, cost-effective adsorbent for WCO purification, without the need for complex pre-treatment. We investigated its efficiency under various conditions, achieving up to 70% decolorization with just 10 wt% clay after four hours of treatment.

To understand the underlying mechanisms, we conducted a comprehensive structural and compositional analysis of the bentonite before and after adsorption using advanced techniques. FT-IR spectroscopy confirmed the successful adsorption of organic compounds, while powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed subtle changes in the clay's interlayer spacing. X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis provided crucial insights into ion exchange mechanisms, showing a reduction in sodium and magnesium and an increase in calcium and potassium within the clay structure. Furthermore, our kinetic studies indicated that the adsorption process follows a pseudo-second-order model, with some desorption observed at prolonged contact times. The pH of zero charge (pHPZC) of 8.3 suggests that bentonite's adsorption efficiency is enhanced in acidic environments.

These findings strongly advocate for the industrial application of Maghnia bentonite as a sustainable and economically attractive adsorbent for WCO treatment. Further research will focus on optimizing its reusability and exploring potential modifications to further enhance its adsorption performance for widespread industrial adoption.

Jesús Ibáñez Porras

Universidad de Burgos, ICCRAM, Spain

In the transition to a circular bioeconomy, bio-based products face challenges in competing with fossil-based options due to high research costs, specialised equipment and limited technical maturity. At the same time, they present opportunities such as lower raw material costs through secondary feedstocks and the potential to reduce environmental impacts. This study presents a framework that combines Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Techno-Economic Analysis (TEA) and environmental Life Cycle Costing (eLCC). The approach seeks to monetise LCA results and integrate them into financial indicators such as Net Present Value (NPV) and Minimum Selling Price (MSP). The assessment is designed to explore optimal plant capacities, unit production costs and critical hotspots to guide scaling, while sensitivity and uncertainty analyses will be used to address risks related to market and regulatory conditions. By comparing bio-based and fossil-based systems, the study will evaluate the potential competitiveness of emerging technologies in advancing sustainable and circular processes. The integration of environmental and socio-economic assessments is expected to provide insights for investment strategies and support the transition to cleaner production technologies.

Metallization of plastics emerged 50 years ago combining the benefits of processing, lightweight and cost of plastics, together with the durability, and tribological and anticorrosion properties of metals. However, the traditional processing to obtain the metallization of polymers involves both highly toxic substances (Cr6+) and critical raw materials (palladium). FreeMe Project supports the development of two novel SSbD technologies coupling the

technical research and development with an iterative safety and sustainability. This approach will support the identification of hotspots and criticalities and elaborating recommendations for improvement at early TRL, avoiding further costs and research efforts. 

The SSbD Framework foresees a preliminary assessment of all the chemicals involved from the toxicologic perspective

(Step1), allowing an earlystage identification of the most hazardous ones. Here, a preliminary assessment also from

the sustainability perspective (Steps 4&5) is proposed, in order to identify criticalities from the environmental, social

and economic perspectives. This pre-assessment can be developed at low TRL, where no significant data are available for more thoughtiul assessments such as Life Cycle Assessment, Life Cycle Cost or Social Life Cycle Assessment.

Sonia Martel Martín

Universidad de Burgos, ICCRAM, Spain

Sergio de la Huerta; María A. Escobedo; Sara Santamaria; Valentín Diez; Alba Pérez; Alberto Gutiérrez; Pedro A. Marcos; Alfredo Bol; Santiago Aparicio

Departments of Chemistry and Physics - University of Burgos | ICCRAM University of Burgos, Spain

Sergio de la Huerta; María A. Escobedo; Sara Santamaria; Alba Pérez; Alberto Gutiérrez; Pedro A. Marcos; Alfredo Bol; Santiago Aparicio

Departments of Chemistry and Physics - University of Burgos | ICCRAM University of Burgos, Spain

• Sustainability assessment of value chains.

• Advancements on vegetable oils recycling.

• Production of chemicals from vegeble oils (edible and used).

• Quality assessment of waste vegetable oils.

• Regulatory framework of vegetable oils using and recycling.

• Closing the loop: Circular economy strategies in industrial waste reuse.

• Language is English. 

• Length: 2 pages maximum (A4 format).

• Page margins: Normal: top- 2,5’ bottom- 2,5’ left- 3’, right- 3’.

• The manuscript must be typed with Single paragraph spacing, using font Calibri.

• The title line is Calibri 14 pt - bold and centred. 

• Author-lines are 11 pt, normal and centred. Presenting author is underlined. 

• Abstract text is 11 pt, normal and justified.

• References are 11 pt, normal and left. Format: APA.

• For formulas or other denotations use “subscript” – H₂O.

• Abstract should be structured including Introduction, State of the art, Results, Conclusions, References.

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