One-dimensional (1D) titanate nanotubes materials (protonated titanate nanotube (HTNT) and sodium titanate nanotube (NaTNT)) have been reported as low-cost and efficient catalytic materials in chemical syntheses for the production of biofuel precursors with interesting catalytic performance exhibited, even better than some commonly used zeolites, H-MOR, H-β, SO₄²⁻/Al₂O₃, and H-ZSM-5 solid catalysts with environmental benign in focus when compared with homogeneous catalytic materials. This mini-review expressly revealed the significance and potential of using HTNT and NaTNT as sustainable and environmentally benign solid catalysts/supports in various chemical reactions. The critical assessment of biomass valorization and titanate nanostructured materials as catalysts/supports via Green Chemistry approach, #7 (use of renewable feedstocks), #9 (use of catalyst against stoichiometry) and United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), #7 (affordable and clean energy; ensure access to inexpensive, reliable, sustainable, and new energy), is presented as integrated pathways to meet environmental benign technology toward sustainability. Hence, this work follows in the pattern of recent formulated features reported for solid catalysts—‘PYSSVR’ concept, which means P–production cost, Y–yield, S–stability, S–selectivity, V–versatility, and R–reusability. Graphical Abstract

Although nanotube is among the most effective morphology of Titania due to its unilateral pathway for photo-generated charge transfer and mechanical stability, its performance is still hampered by high recombination. In the present study, to further improve the photocatalytic degradation performance of Titania, univalent elements of H and Na were respectively ion-exchanged into the Titania nanotubes (TNTs). The photocatalyst was characterized using XRD, TEM, ICP-AES, and FTIR. The modified samples displayed enhanced photocatalytic degradation performance over Degussa TiO₂ under UV-A light illumination of MB. The rate constants of NaTNT and HTNT were 16 and 13 times that of Degussa TiO₂. Specifically, the Na-TNTs showed better photocatalytic degradation activity than H-TNTs with a rate constant of 0.12 min^-1 while the latter showed 0.09 min^-1. The optimum adsorption and photocatalytic performance of NaTNT were determined at pH 6 achieving about 99% MB removal within 10 min of irradiation. The ion exchange NaTNT displayed excellent reusability after the fifth cycle of the photocatalytic tests and superoxide radicals were experimentally determined to be the main reactive oxygen species involved in the photocatalytic degradation of MB.

The growing problem of plastic waste in Nigeria is one of the major environmental issues, primarily influenced by population growth, urbanization, and industrialization. To tackle this problem, this study assessed plastic waste generation and management in Ilorin township, focusing on Gaa-Akanbi and Tanke Oke-Odo residential locations. The study revealed that the average plastic waste generated per capita was estimated at 0.16 kg/cap/day in Gaa-Akanbi and 0.29 kg/cap/day in Tanke Oke-Odo. Furthermore, the composition of plastic waste differed in these areas, with Gaa-Akanbi having a majority of Polyethylene (PE) at 57.05%, followed by Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) at 12.83%, Polystyrene (PS) at 12.25%, Polypropylene (PP) at 11.08%, and other types at 6.76%. On the other hand, Tanke Oke-Odo's plastic waste composition consisted of PE (56.28%), PET (15.73%), PS (12.21%), PP (9.65%), and other types (6.12%). Alarmingly, the study found that most residents were using unsustainable waste disposal practices, with 28% handing their waste to collectors, 11% relying on municipal collection bins, 10% resorting to open dumping, and a significant 51% burning their plastic waste, all of which contribute to environmental pollution. Furthermore, excluding investigations on the household waste generation rate for Gaa-akanbi and the generation rate for plastic waste, all other studies showed that p values > 0.05 as confirmed with the aid of statistical evaluation. Therefore, taking urgent action based on these insights is crucial to mitigate the adverse impacts of plastic waste on the environment and human well-being in the region. Therefore, adopting circular economy principles and utilizing the DPSIR framework is practically suitable to address this issue effectively.