Application of mechanochemical technology for removal/solidification pollutant and preparation/recycling energy storage materials

Mechanochemistry (MC) is a green, sustainable and easy scaling-up production modification technology, which has the advantages of short modification time, high reaction activity and no corrosion problems. MC shows great potential in pollutant control (removal/degradation of pollutants, solidification of heavy metals) and energy storage application (recovery of valuable metals, manufacture of nano energy storage materials). However. The application of MC in the above aspects haven't paid much attention and discussed insufficient. As a non/less-solvent technology, MC produces unique physicochemical properties during the synthesis process, directly modify or constrain materials. Meanwhile, MC recovers high value-added substances from spent energy storage equipment to realize waste recycling, which is in line with sustainable development goals. This paper reviews the application of MC for capture trace elements (TEs) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by fly ash (FA), degradation of dioxins (PCDD/Fs) and solidification of heavy metals in FA, preparation of nano energy storage materials and recovery of valuable metals from spent energy storage devices based on the latest findings. This work highlights the potential applications of MC in the fields of environmental governance and energy storage, and provides insights into sustainable development goals. The current key bottlenecks and further research challenges are proposed. [Display omitted] •MC modified FA has significant removal effect on TEs and VOCs in flue gas of CFPPs.•MC strategy shows superior merits in degrade dioxins and solidify heavy metals in FA.•MC is facile, low-cost, eco-efficient technology to prepare nano electrode materials.•MC method dramatically improve the leaching of valuable metals from spent batteries.