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In the quest for effective solutions to address Environ. Pollut. and meet the escalating energy demands, heterojunction photocatalysts have emerged as a captivating and versatile technology. These photocatalysts have garnered significant interest due to their wide-ranging applications, including wastewater treatment, air purification, CO2 capture, and hydrogen generation via water splitting. This technique harnesses the power of semiconductors, which are activated under light illumination, providing the necessary energy for catalytic reactions. With visible light constituting a substantial portion (46%) of the solar spectrum, the development of visible-light-driven semiconductors has become imperative. Heterojunction photocatalysts offer a promising strategy to overcome the limitations associated with activating semiconductors under visible light. In this comprehensive review, we present the recent advancements in the field of photocatalytic degradation of contaminants across diverse media, as well as the remarkable progress made in renewable energy production. Moreover, we delve into the crucial role played by various operating parameters in influencing the photocatalytic performance of heterojunction systems. Finally, we address emerging challenges and propose novel perspectives to provide valuable insights for future advancements in this dynamic research domain. By unraveling the potential of heterojunction photocatalysts, this review contributes to the broader understanding of their applications and paves the way for exciting avenues of exploration and innovation.

The key to this study is to explore the relation between renewable energy and trade openness under climate change impacts on international trade. This study is based on the analyses of trade openness index and the Notre Dame-Global Adaptation Index in measures of research of the transfer of renewable energy technologies globally, promotion of the growth of renewable energy share, and the country's current vulnerability to climate disruptions. Research is focused on evaluation of low-carbon trade, analysis of renewable heat, and estimation of the impact of renewable energy on trade openness under climate disruptions. Research verified that development of renewable energy can reduce the human impact on climate change, but such technologies are not available to all countries; because of this, different countries may be affected by climate change to varying degrees. The implementation of renewable energy technologies should help countries become more resilient to climate change through the availability of appropriate means of producing renewable energy; however, this is possible subject to the country's openness to the arrival of goods and technologies from outside-increasing trade openness level. Countries with open and competitive markets are more inclusive to adopt and support the renewable energy technologies and their development. From another position, development of trade and deep integration of economy can create external dependence on imported energy sources and block the development of domestic renewable energy sectors. The economic challenges in the field of renewable energy need the focus of governments and policy makers on supporting the stability of renewable generation facilities, increasing the reliability of energy supply, protection from seasonal changes in demand for electricity, support of the energy cooperatives and private consumers of renewable energy, and transition the public transport sector for renewable energy sources. Further research in this direction has prospects, because globalization is a stable trend of recent decades, and allows for an even distribution of efforts to produce various products and provide them to the population, but decarbonization potential of renewable energy production is untapped as fossil fuels dominate in largest world markets.

| openaire: EC/H2020/963646/EU//HELIOS Lithium titanate oxide (LTO) batteries have been under intensive research due to their stability, safety, and rapid charging characteristics. Nevertheless, uncertainties as to LTO-batteries behavior when used as a raw material in battery recycling still exist. This study provides a grave-to-gate life cycle inventory for a hydrometallurgical battery recycling process in which Li-battery waste materials nickel manganese cobalt (NMC), LTO, and graphite were used as feed. The simulation showed that NMC cathode materials and lithium from both battery waste fractions could be recovered. In contrast, the titanium present within LTO cannot be recovered by the recycling process. Nevertheless, the life cycle assessment (LCA) of the process demonstrated clear benefits of recycling battery materials, highlighted by the decrease in global warming potential, acidification, eutrophication, and ozone depletion potential. Additionally, two routes for hazardous waste management were simulated to ascertain the environmental impacts of hazardous waste management within the recycling process. Peer reviewed

Decentralized multi-energy systems (MESs) are a key element of a future low-carbon energy supply. Here, we address the crucial role of grid-connected and off-grid MESs in achieving a low-carbon future, particularly relevant for regions like the Mediterranean with high renewable energy potential and carbon-intensive grid networks, using a mixed integer linear program for optimal economic and environmental MES design considering location-specific regulations. The results reveal that substantial cost (up to 30%, potentially saving 1.6 million) and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions can be reached in Mediterranean regions with sufficient solar and wind energy resources currently relying on fossil fuel-based generators. However, our case study shows that the actual cost and emission reductions are most likely limited due to location-specific regulations (limiting cost savings to 0.8 million), especially those that constrain solar photovoltaic and onshore wind. Off-grid energy systems might be suitable decarbonization options in Mediterranean regions, to avoid absorbing current GHG-intensive power from the local power grid, under marginal cost increase (15%) compared to grid-connected cost optimization. However, off-grid MESs require substantial upfront investments and exhibit some environmental trade-offs, especially on material utilization, which could be overcome by balanced autonomy. Overall, truly sustainable and secure decentralized energy systems can only be reached by considering life cycle environmental impacts, social acceptance, and regulations during the design phase. Applied Energy, 377 ISSN:0306-2619 ISSN:1872-9118