Sustainable Ceramics: Materials for Energy, Environment and the Circular Economy

Ceramic materials are becoming important sources of sustainability because of their special structural, thermal, and functional characteristics, which respond to urgent energy conversion, storage, and environmental protection issues. This chapter addresses the centrality of the role of ceramics in the development of sustainable technologies within the context of the circular economy. Oxide ceramics, as solid electrolytes and electrodes in solid-state batteries, and dielectric and hybrid ceramic–carbon materials as high-performance supercapacitors, are given particular attention. The contribution of ceramics to solid oxide fuel cells, hydrogen storage, and high-temperature energy applications is emphasized, showcasing their strength in harsh environments. Photocatalytic ceramics such as TiO and ZnO are discussed in terms of pollutant reduction, water disinfection, CO solar production, and hydrogen production. Moreover, porous ceramics are considered for use in water treatment, heavy metal removal, oxygen separation, and carbon capture. The chapter also touches on eco-friendly processing pathways, recycling, and life cycle analysis, which align ceramics with the concept of the circular economy. In the future, emergent directions are recognized as artificial intelligence-based design, multipurpose ceramics, and additive manufacturing. Ceramics have become one of the key centers of global sustainability by offering an innovative route to green energy, conservation, and sustainable resource use through the combination of performance, recyclability, and sustainability.