Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41944826›Full record

ReviewScience progress2026

A review of metallurgical processing and value-added utilization strategies for zinc oxide.

Yucai Zhang, Zhaoyan Ma, Xingjia Gu, Shuping Jia, Xiaoxin An, Mengfan Niu, Xianghao Zha, Ruo He, Renpan Deng

Abstract readReview
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Review in Science progress, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Yucai ZhangCollege of Chemistry and Environmental Sciences, Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Novel Functional Materials Chemistry, Kashi University, Kashi, China.ORCID 0000-0001-9787-473X
Zhaoyan MaCollege of Chemistry and Environmental Sciences, Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Novel Functional Materials Chemistry, Kashi University, Kashi, China.
Xingjia GuCollege of Chemistry and Environmental Sciences, Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Novel Functional Materials Chemistry, Kashi University, Kashi, China.
Shuping JiaCollege of Chemistry and Environmental Sciences, Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Novel Functional Materials Chemistry, Kashi University, Kashi, China.
Xiaoxin AnCollege of Chemistry and Environmental Sciences, Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Novel Functional Materials Chemistry, Kashi University, Kashi, China.
Mengfan NiuCollege of Chemistry and Environmental Sciences, Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Novel Functional Materials Chemistry, Kashi University, Kashi, China.
Xianghao ZhaCollege of Chemistry and Environmental Sciences, Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Novel Functional Materials Chemistry, Kashi University, Kashi, China.
Ruo HeCollege of Chemistry and Environmental Sciences, Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Novel Functional Materials Chemistry, Kashi University, Kashi, China.
Renpan DengSchool of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory for Green Processing of Chemical Engineering of Xinjiang Bingtuan, Shihezi University, Shihezi, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Zinc oxide is a critical industrial material with extensive applications in galvanization, ceramics, electronics, and renewable energy systems. Despite China's vast zinc reserves (41 million tons), domestic production of primary zinc oxide from concentrates remains limited to 20%, with recycled materials contributing merely 11%. As a result, there is a heavy reliance on imported resources. This imbalance underscores the urgent need to optimize the utilization of secondary resources and adopt sustainable technologies. This review systematically examines recent advancements in zinc oxide smelting, enrichment, analytical characterization, and strategies for a circular economy. Modern hydrometallurgical techniques, such as high-temperature acid leaching and ammonia-ammonium carbonate systems, have achieved over 95% zinc recovery from low-grade ores. Innovations in pyrometallurgy, including microwave-assisted reduction and rotary kiln volatilization, have reduced energy consumption by approximately 30% while minimizing emissions. Advanced detection methods, such as X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy and combustion furnace-ion chromatography, enable precise monitoring of toxic elements, including lead, cadmium, and arsenic. Furthermore, circular economy approaches-such as slag geopolymerization and nano zinc oxide synthesis from industrial by-products demonstrate significant potential for waste valorization. By integrating interdisciplinary technologies, such as machine learning and biohydrometallurgy, this review outlines a potential roadmap toward a sustainable zinc industry, balancing economic growth with environmental responsibility.

Indexed as

enrichmentharmless treatmentrare metalresource intensivezinc oxide

Identifiers

PMID41944826
PMCPMC13103680

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.