Recent Developments in Sustainable Solubilization

Area of Science:

• Green Chemistry
• Materials Science
• Chemical Engineering

Background:

• Industrial processes heavily rely on hazardous solvents, causing environmental pollution and health risks.
• Conventional solubilization methods require high energy input due to harsh conditions (high temperature/pressure).
• There is an urgent need for sustainable alternatives in manufacturing and consumer goods production.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advancements in green solubilization technologies.
• To assess the potential of various "green" solvents like ionic liquids (ILs) and natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES).
• To highlight water-based strategies and naturally derived solubilizers for sustainable applications.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of current green solubilization research.
• Critical analysis of the benefits and limitations of different solvent systems.
• Examination of water's properties, mesoscale structuring, and surfactant-free microemulsions.
• Consideration of hydrotropes, biosurfactants, and proteins as eco-friendly additives.

Main Results:

• Ionic liquids (ILs) and natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) offer potential but have limitations.
• Water's unique structuring capabilities can be leveraged for efficient solubilization.
• Naturally derived compounds (hydrotropes, biosurfactants, proteins) show promise for biocompatibility and low environmental impact.
• Combining water structuring with benign additives creates energy-efficient pathways.

Conclusions:

• Sustainable solubilization requires innovative approaches beyond traditional solvents.
• Water, when appropriately structured and augmented with bio-derived additives, presents a highly promising green solvent system.
• Future research should focus on developing and implementing these eco-friendly technologies for industrial applications.