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Development of Nanomaterials for Energy and Environmental Applications
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Development of Nanomaterials for Energy and Environmental Applications

A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Physical Chemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2024 | Viewed by 2039

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Lin Ju

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Physics and Electrical Engineering, Anyang Normal University, Anyang 455000, China
Interests: photoelectrocatalysis; computational materials science; water-splitting; CO2 reduction reaction
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are delighted to introduce a new Special Issue titled "Development of Nanomaterials for Energy and Environmental Applications", which aims to showcase the latest advancements in nanotechnology that contribute to sustainable energy production and environmental protection.

As global energy demands continue to skyrocket and environmental concerns remain at the forefront of public discourse, the need for innovative solutions in these sectors becomes more pressing. Nanomaterials, with their unique properties at the atomic and molecular scale, offer potential breakthroughs in addressing these challenges. This Special Issue invites original research papers and reviews on the synthesis, characterization, and application of nanomaterials that demonstrate significant progress in energy conversion, storage, and efficiency, as well as pollution mitigation and environmental clean-up.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Nanostructured materials for solar energy harvesting and photovoltaic systems;
  • Advances in nanomaterials for battery technology and energy storage solutions;
  • Catalytic nanomaterials for green energy production and emission reduction;
  • Nanoparticles for water purification and wastewater treatment technologies;
  • Nanotechnology in carbon capture, utilization, and storage;
  • Development of sensors based on nanomaterials for environmental monitoring;
  • Biodegradable and eco-friendly nanomaterials for environmental applications.

We invite researchers, engineers, and academics to contribute their cutting-edge findings and insights that can help to pave the way for a more energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable future.

Dr. Lin Ju
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at mdpi.longhoe.net by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Molecules is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • photo/electrocatalytic mechanism studies
  • photo/electrocatalyst design
  • single atom catalyst
  • artificial photosynthesis
  • water splitting
  • N2 reduction reaction
  • NOx reduction reaction
  • CO2 reduction reaction
  • heterojunction

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 6562 KiB  
Article
Synthesis of Fe2O3 Nanorod and NiFe2O4 Nanoparticle Composites on Expired Cotton Fiber Cloth for Enhanced Hydrogen Evolution Reaction
by Sun Hua, Sayyar Ali Shah, Noor Ullah, Nabi Ullah and Aihua Yuan
Molecules 2024, 29(13), 3082; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29133082 - 28 Jun 2024
Viewed by 244
Abstract
The design of cheap, noble-metal-free, and efficient electrocatalysts for an enhanced hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) to produce hydrogen gas as an energy source from water splitting is an ideal approach. Herein, we report the synthesis of Fe2O3 nanorods–NiFe2O [...] Read more.
The design of cheap, noble-metal-free, and efficient electrocatalysts for an enhanced hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) to produce hydrogen gas as an energy source from water splitting is an ideal approach. Herein, we report the synthesis of Fe2O3 nanorods–NiFe2O4 nanoparticles on cotton fiber cloth (Fe2O3-NiFe2O4/CF) at a low temperature as an efficient electrocatalyst for HERs. Among the as-prepared samples, the optimal Fe2O3-NiFe2O4/CF-3 electrocatalyst exhibits good HER performance with an overpotential of 127 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm−2, small Tafel slope of 44.9 mV dec−1, and good stability in 1 M KOH alkaline solution. The synergistic effect between Fe2O3 nanorods and NiFe2O4 nanoparticles of the heterojunction composite at the heterointerface is mainly responsible for improved HER performance. The CF is an effective substrate for the growth of the Fe2O3-NiFe2O4 nanocomposite and provides conductive channels for the active materials’ HER process. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Development of Nanomaterials for Energy and Environmental Applications)
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17 pages, 1091 KiB  
Article
The Synthesis, Structural Characterization, and DFT Calculation of a New Binuclear Gd(III) Complex with 4-Aacetylphenoxyacetic Acid and 1,10-Phenanthroline Ligands and Its Roles in Catalytic Activity
by Ying Liu, **ao Tang, **-Hai Yan, Li-Hua Wang, **-Shi Tai, Mohammad Azam and Dong-Qiu Zhao
Molecules 2024, 29(13), 3039; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29133039 - 26 Jun 2024
Viewed by 340
Abstract
A new binuclear Gd(III) complex, [Gd2(L)6(Phen)2]·4H2O, was synthesized via the reaction of gadolinium(III) nitrate hexahydrate, 4-acetylphenoxyacetic acid (HL), NaOH, and 1,10-phenanthroline (Phen) in a solution of water–ethanol (v:v = 1:1). The Gd(III) [...] Read more.
A new binuclear Gd(III) complex, [Gd2(L)6(Phen)2]·4H2O, was synthesized via the reaction of gadolinium(III) nitrate hexahydrate, 4-acetylphenoxyacetic acid (HL), NaOH, and 1,10-phenanthroline (Phen) in a solution of water–ethanol (v:v = 1:1). The Gd(III) complex was characterized using IR, UV–vis, TG-DSC, fluorescence, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. The results showed that the Gd(III) complex crystallizes in the triclinic system, space group P-1, and each Gd(III) ion was coordinated with two nitrogen atoms (N1, N2, or N1a, and N2a) from two Phen ligands and seven oxygen atoms (O1, O2, O7a, O9, O8, O8a, O10a, or O1a, O2a, O7, O8, O8a, O9a, and O10) from six L ligands, respectively, forming a nine-coordinated coordination mode. The Gd(III) complex molecules formed a one-dimensional chained and three-dimensional network structure via benzenering π-π stacking. The Hirschfeld surface analysis and the calculations of the electron density distributions of the frontier molecular orbitals of the Gd(III) complex were performed. The catalytic activities of the photocatalytic CO2 reduction and benzyl alcohol oxidation using the Gd(III) complex as a catalyst were performed. The results of the photocatalytic CO2 reduction showed that the yield and the selectivity of CO reached 41.5 μmol/g and more than 99% after four hours, respectively. The results of the benzyl alcohol oxidation showed that the yield of benzaldehyde was 45.7% at 120 °C with THF as the solvent under 0.5 MPa O2 within 2 h. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Development of Nanomaterials for Energy and Environmental Applications)

Review

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35 pages, 7252 KiB  
Review
Recent Progress of Ion-Modified TiO2 for Enhanced Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production
by Dongqiu Zhao, **ao Tang, Penglan Liu, Qiao Huang, Tingxian Li and Lin Ju
Molecules 2024, 29(10), 2347; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29102347 - 16 May 2024
Viewed by 602
Abstract
Harnessing solar energy to produce hydrogen through semiconductor-mediated photocatalytic water splitting is a promising avenue to address the challenges of energy scarcity and environmental degradation. Ever since Fujishima and Honda’s groundbreaking work in photocatalytic water splitting, titanium dioxide (TiO2) has garnered [...] Read more.
Harnessing solar energy to produce hydrogen through semiconductor-mediated photocatalytic water splitting is a promising avenue to address the challenges of energy scarcity and environmental degradation. Ever since Fujishima and Honda’s groundbreaking work in photocatalytic water splitting, titanium dioxide (TiO2) has garnered significant interest as a semiconductor photocatalyst, prized for its non-toxicity, affordability, superior photocatalytic activity, and robust chemical stability. Nonetheless, the efficacy of solar energy conversion is hampered by TiO2’s wide bandgap and the swift recombination of photogenerated carriers. In pursuit of enhancing TiO2’s photocatalytic prowess, a panoply of modification techniques has been explored over recent years. This work provides an extensive review of the strategies employed to augment TiO2’s performance in photocatalytic hydrogen production, with a special emphasis on foreign dopant incorporation. Firstly, we delve into metal do** as a key tactic to boost TiO2’s capacity for efficient hydrogen generation via water splitting. We elaborate on the premise that metal do** introduces discrete energy states within TiO2’s bandgap, thereby elevating its visible light photocatalytic activity. Following that, we evaluate the role of metal nanoparticles in modifying TiO2, hailed as one of the most effective strategies. Metal nanoparticles, serving as both photosensitizers and co-catalysts, display a pronounced affinity for visible light absorption and enhance the segregation and conveyance of photogenerated charge carriers, leading to remarkable photocatalytic outcomes. Furthermore, we consolidate perspectives on the nonmetal do** of TiO2, which tailors the material to harness visible light more efficiently and bolsters the separation and transfer of photogenerated carriers. The incorporation of various anions is summarized for their potential to propel TiO2’s photocatalytic capabilities. This review aspires to compile contemporary insights on ion-doped TiO2, propelling the efficacy of photocatalytic hydrogen evolution and anticipating forthcoming advancements. Our work aims to furnish an informative scaffold for crafting advanced TiO2-based photocatalysts tailored for water-splitting applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Development of Nanomaterials for Energy and Environmental Applications)
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15 pages, 2297 KiB  
Review
A Review of the Effect of Defect Modulation on the Photocatalytic Reduction Performance of Carbon Dioxide
by Cheng Zuo, **ao Tang, Haiquan Wang and Qian Su
Molecules 2024, 29(10), 2308; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29102308 - 14 May 2024
Viewed by 385
Abstract
Constructive defect engineering has emerged as a prominent method for enhancing the performance of photocatalysts. The mechanisms of the influence of defect types, concentrations, and distributions on the efficiency, selectivity, and stability of CO2 reduction were revealed for this paper by analyzing [...] Read more.
Constructive defect engineering has emerged as a prominent method for enhancing the performance of photocatalysts. The mechanisms of the influence of defect types, concentrations, and distributions on the efficiency, selectivity, and stability of CO2 reduction were revealed for this paper by analyzing the effects of different types of defects (e.g., metallic defects, non-metallic defects, and composite defects) on the performance of photocatalysts. There are three fundamental steps in defect engineering techniques to promote photocatalysis, namely, light absorption, charge transfer and separation, and surface-catalyzed reactions. Defect engineering has demonstrated significant potential in recent studies, particularly in enhancing the light-harvesting, charge separation, and adsorption properties of semiconductor photocatalysts for reducing processes like carbon dioxide reduction. Furthermore, this paper discusses the optimization method used in defect modulation strategy to offer theoretical guidance and an experimental foundation for designing and preparing efficient and stable photocatalysts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Development of Nanomaterials for Energy and Environmental Applications)
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