Valorisation of post-sorption materials: Opportunities, strategies, and challenges

Area of Science:

• Environmental Chemistry
• Materials Science
• Green Chemistry

Background:

• Adsorption is a cost-effective, low-energy method for separating compounds using various materials.
• Traditionally used for pollutant removal from water, adsorption is evolving into a circular economy approach.
• Emerging technologies enable the valorization of post-adsorption materials into valuable products.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review novel applications of post-adsorption materials as value-added green chemical products.
• To highlight the sustainable valorization of post-sorption materials.
• To discuss scientific challenges, opportunities, and toxicity concerns in post-sorbent applications.

Main Methods:

• Review of emerging post-sorption technologies and their applications.
• Analysis of the properties and uses of post-adsorption materials.
• Discussion of scientific literature on the sustainable management of post-sorption materials.

Main Results:

• Post-sorption materials can be transformed into fertilizers, catalysts, feed additives, and biologically active compounds.
• Materials derived from adsorption processes exhibit high surface areas, suitable for catalysis and further adsorption.
• Applications in fertilizer and feed additive production provide essential nutrients (N, P, Cu, Mn, Zn), enhancing soil fertility and nutrition.

Conclusions:

• Post-sorption materials offer a sustainable and economically viable alternative for green chemical production.
• These materials contribute to global sustainability goals and healthy human nutrition.
• Further research into post-sorbent applications, including energy production and toxicity, is warranted.