Assessing the life cycle environmental impacts of titania nanoparticle production by continuous flow solvo/hydrothermal syntheses

摘要: Continuous-flow hydrothermal and solvothermal syntheses offer substantial advantages over conventional processes, producing high quality materials from a wide range of precursors. In this study, we evaluate the “cradle-to-gate” life cycle environmental impacts alternative titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticle production parameters, considering operational conditions, precursors, material properties capacities. A detailed characterisation nano-TiO2 products allows us, for first time, to link key characteristics parameters impacts, providing useful foundation future studies evaluating applications. Five different precursors are considered, ranging simple inorganic like oxysulphate (TiOS), complex organic such as bis(ammonium-lactato)dihydroxide (TiBALD). Synthesis at laboratory scale is used determine yield, size distribution, crystallinity phase nanoparticles. The specifications operating experience full plant (>1000 t per year) estimate mass energy inputs industrial assessment. Overall, higher process temperatures linked larger, more crystalline nanoparticles conversion rates. Precursor selection also influences properties: TiOS results in largest particle sizes, while TiBALD achieves smallest particles narrowest distribution. main factor determining cradle-to-gate (>80% some cases), due impact Nano-TiO2 shows lowest global warming potential (GWP) (<12 kg CO2-eq. TiO2) cumulative demand (CED) (<149 MJ kg−1 low precursor, use water solvent its yield even lower temperatures. Conversely, precursor highest (86 TiO2 1952 need additional post-synthesis steps complexity manufacturing. purpose study not direct comparison manufactured utilizing various under but provide an essential work applications their impacts.