Submit to Applied Sciences Review for Applied Sciences Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Applications of Nanoparticles in the Environmental Sciences

Print Special Issue Flyer
Special Issue Editors
Special Issue Information
Keywords
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
Related Special Issue
Published Papers

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental Sciences".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 December 2025) | Viewed by 20977

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Jason G. Parsons

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

School of Earth, Environmental, and Marine Sciences, University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley, Brownsville, TX 78521, USA
Interests: nanomaterials; electrocatalysis; catalysis; environmental chemistry; LIBS; nanotoxicity
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Mataz Alcoutlabi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley, Edinburg, TX 78539, USA
Interests: nanomaterials; LIBs; catalysis; nanotoxicity; electrocatalysis
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The application of nanomaterials continues to grow across multiple disciplines. There are many potential benefits from their use as well as numerous potential risks associated with their applications.

These benefits may come from the potential applications in environmental remediation, important catalysis environmental reactions (such as enhanced advanced oxidation processes or photocatalysis), energy storage (battery technology or capacitor technology), energy production, and catalysis, as well as the application of nano-fertilizers and nano-based cleaning technologies, among others. The negative effects arise from the use of nanomaterials and are typically caused by the accumulation of nanoparticles in the environment and within various organisms released in various environments.

This Special Issue is intended to look at the potential environmental advantages from the use of nanoparticles in all areas of environmental sciences as well as the fate and/or transport of these materials in the environment.

Prof. Dr. Jason G Parsons
Dr. Mataz Alcoutlabi
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com 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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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. Applied Sciences 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 2400 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

nanotechnology
nanoparticles
environmental chemistry
nanotechnology-based energy storage
environmentally relevant catalysis

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Related Special Issue

Applications of Nanoparticles in the Environmental Sciences: 2nd Edition in Applied Sciences (1 article)

Published Papers (9 papers)

Download All Papers

Order results

Result details

Show export options Show export options

Select all

Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

17 pages, 8308 KB

Open AccessArticle

Exploratory LA-ICP-MS Imaging of Foliar-Applied Gold Nanoparticles and Nutrients in Lentil Leaves

by Lucia Nemček, Martin Šebesta, Shadma Afzal, Michaela Bahelková, Tomáš Vaculovič, Jozef Kollár, Matúš Maťko and Ingrid Hagarová

Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(2), 974; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16020974 - 18 Jan 2026

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 733

Abstract

Gold nanoparticles (Au-NP) are frequently used as model nanomaterials to study nanoparticle behavior in plants due to their analytical detectability and negligible natural background in plant tissues. However, the feasibility of visualizing the spatial distribution of foliar-applied Au-NP at low exposure levels using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) remains insufficiently explored. In this study, commercially sourced Au-NP were applied to lentil leaves (Lens culinaris var. Beluga) at a low concentration of 0.5 mg·L⁻¹ using a controlled leaf submersion approach. Leaves were sampled at 1 h, 24 h, and 96 h post-exposure and analyzed by LA-ICP-MS imaging to assess time-dependent changes in gold-associated spatial signals, and to compare elemental distribution patterns with non-exposed controls. Untreated control leaves showed no detectable gold at any sampling time point, confirming negligible native Au background. In treated leaves, LA-ICP-MS imaging revealed an initially localized Au hotspot at 1 h, followed by progressive Au redistribution toward the leaf margins and petiole region by 24 h and 96 h. Gold signals persisted over the full 96 h period, indicating stable association of Au-NP with leaf tissue. Comparative elemental mapping of Ca, Mg, K, P, Fe, Zn, and Cu showed no persistent differences in spatial distribution patterns between treated and control leaves as detectable by LA-ICP-MS. This study demonstrates the feasibility of LA-ICP-MS imaging for visualizing the deposition and temporal spatial redistribution of low-dose foliar-applied nanoparticles in intact leaves. The results provide a methodological reference for future hypothesis-driven studies that apply nanoparticles under more controlled conditions, include increased replication, and combine multiple analytical techniques. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Nanoparticles in the Environmental Sciences)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

15 pages, 2408 KB

Open AccessArticle

In Situ Permeability Measurements and Impedance Spectroscopy for Assessing Separation Performance and Nano-Structure in CO₂-Selective Polymeric Mixed-Matrix Membrane

by Dionysios S. Karousos, George Maistros, George V. Theodorakopoulos, Anastasios Gotzias, Andreas A. Sapalidis, Stéphan Barbe and Evangelos P. Favvas

Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(23), 12799; https://doi.org/10.3390/app152312799 - 3 Dec 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 801

Abstract

A hollow fiber-supported polymeric mixed-matrix membrane, consisting of a Pebax-1657 matrix and graphene nanoplatelet (GNP) fillers as the selective layer, was tested for CO₂/CH₄ gas separation at transmembrane pressures up to 30 bar(a). Using a custom, novel, membrane module, we simultaneously performed permeability/selectivity and in situ electric impedance spectroscopy measurements. This in situ technique is proposed here for the first time. Furthermore, stable mixed-gas selectivities, for 10% CO₂ in CH₄ gas, reaching up to 61.4 (M0) and 68.5 after heat treatment (M2) were observed at 20–30 bar(a), whereas the stressed state (M1) dropped to ~22. Throughout the whole procedure of the three (initial, degraded, and restored) membrane testing assessments, a gradual decline in gas permeability coupled with a corresponding increase in the membrane’s AC resistance, due to membrane compaction, was evident. More specific, the membrane’s AC resistance, R₁, increased from ~96–147 ΜΩ (M0) to ~402–435 ΜΩ (M1) and ~5390–5700 ΜΩ (M2), while the peak-phase frequency f_p decreased from ~1.25 kHz (M0) to ~340 Hz (M1) and ~115 Hz (M2). Overall, this work proposes a new tool/method for connecting membrane’s deterioration phenomena with AC resistance and demonstrates that a facile heat treatment can restore selectivity following compaction, despite the absence of full permeance recovery. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Nanoparticles in the Environmental Sciences)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 1517 KB

Open AccessArticle

Photocatalytic Degradation of Methyl Orange, Eriochrome Black T, and Methylene Blue by Silica–Titania Fibers

by Omar Arturo Aldama-Huerta, Nahum A. Medellín-Castillo, Francisco Carrasco Marín and Simón Yobanny Reyes-López

Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(22), 12084; https://doi.org/10.3390/app152212084 - 13 Nov 2025

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1735

Abstract

The photocatalytic activity of silica–titania (S-T) fibers synthesized via sol–gel and electrospinning was evaluated using methyl orange (MO), eriochrome black T (EB), and methylene blue (MB) as model dyes. Characterization by X-ray diffraction confirmed the presence of anatase and rutile TiO₂ phases, while UV-Vis spectroscopy determined a bandgap energy of 3.2 eV. Scanning electron microscopy revealed fibers with an average diameter of 214 nm. Under UV irradiation, nearly complete dye removal (initial concentration: 30 mg/L; catalyst dosage: 0.1 g/L) was achieved within 8 h. The reaction kinetics followed the Langmuir–Hinshelwood model, with significant differences in apparent reaction rates (k_a) among the dyes, attributable to their distinct structural and functional properties. This study establishes silica–titania fibers as a high-performance, highly versatile composite photocatalyst. Achieving 98% degradation efficiency, their key innovation is their fibrous morphology, which solves the critical problem of powder catalyst recovery. This enables a paradigm shift from simple lab efficiency to practical, sustainable application. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Nanoparticles in the Environmental Sciences)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 5458 KB

Open AccessArticle

Efficiency of H₂O₂-Modified Ferrite Process for High-Concentration PVA Removal and Magnetic Nanoparticle Formation

by Yu-Chih Fu and Vincent K. S. Hsiao

Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(6), 3367; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15063367 - 19 Mar 2025

Viewed by 1051

Abstract

High-concentration polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) wastewater from 3D printing applications presents significant treatment challenges due to PVA’s water solubility, chemical stability, and resistance to biodegradation. In this study, we investigated the enhanced removal of high-concentration PVA (3–7 g/L) using a modified ferrite process with H₂O₂ pre-oxidation, while simultaneously exploring the formation and properties of magnetic precipitates. The effects of PVA concentration, reaction conditions, and thermal treatment (100 °C and 650 °C) on the magnetic precipitates were studied through XRD, TEM, FTIR, and magnetic measurements. Results showed that H₂O₂ pre-oxidation effectively maintained the system pH and improved PVA removal efficiency, achieving a COD reduction of 83% after two-stage treatment for 7 g/L PVA solution. XRD and TEM analyses revealed that precipitates formed at 100 °C consisted of dispersed Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles within PVA fibrous networks, while calcination at 650 °C led to the formation of rod-like structures and agglomerated particles. The magnetic properties varied significantly with treatment conditions, exhibiting the highest saturation magnetization of 10.30 emu/g for sample calcinated at 100 °C. This study demonstrates the potential of the modified ferrite process for treating high-concentration PVA wastewater while producing recoverable magnetic nanoparticles, providing a dual-function approach to address environmental challenges posed by the 3D printing industry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Nanoparticles in the Environmental Sciences)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 16228 KB

Open AccessArticle

Synthesis, Characterization, and Antibacterial Activity of Graphene Oxide/Zinc Hydroxide Nanocomposites

by Jo Ann Sanchez, Luis Materon, Jason G. Parsons and Mataz Alcoutlabi

Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(14), 6274; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14146274 - 18 Jul 2024

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 4470

Abstract

Graphene and graphene oxide have shown good antibacterial activity against different bacterial species due to their unique physicochemical properties. Graphene oxide (GO) has been widely used to load metallic and metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs) to minimize their surface energy during processing and preparation, hence reducing their aggregation. In this work, GO was effectively synthesized and coated with different concentrations of zinc hydroxide Zn (OH)x using the precipitation method to prepare a GO/Zn (OH)x hybrid composite. The Zn (OH)x NPs and GO/Zn (OH)x nanocomposites were synthesized and characterized using various methods such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Coating GO with Zn (OH)x NPs resulted in improved aggregation of Zn (OH)x NPs as well as enhanced antibacterial activity of GO against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Additionally, the effect of Zn (OH)x coating on the antibacterial properties of the GO/Zn (OH)x composite was systematically investigated. The synergistic effects of GO and Zn (OH)x NPs resulted in enhanced antibacterial properties of the composites compared to the pristine GO material. In addition, increasing the Zn (OH)x wt. % concentration led to an increased inhibition zone of the GO/Zn (H)x composite against Bacillus megaterium and E. coli bacteria. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Nanoparticles in the Environmental Sciences)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

33 pages, 2101 KB

Open AccessReview

Nano-Chitosan Formulations and Essential Oil Encapsulation for Sustainable Wood Protection: A Comprehensive Review

by Nauman Ahmed, Gwendolyn Davon Boyd-Shields, C. Elizabeth Stokes and El Barbary Hassan

Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(5), 2207; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16052207 - 25 Feb 2026

Viewed by 1153

Abstract

Wood remains a cornerstone material in construction and outdoor applications, yet its durability is continually compromised by fungal decay and insect infestation. Increasing regulatory restrictions on conventional wood preservatives and growing sustainability demands have intensified interest in bio-based alternatives. Among these, essential oils exhibit strong antifungal and insect-repellent activity but suffer from high volatility, leaching, and limited durability under moisture exposure. This review examines recent advances in chitosan nanoparticle-based encapsulation of essential oils as a strategy to overcome these limitations and enable more sustainable and environmentally responsible wood protection systems. The review synthesizes current knowledge on nanoparticle synthesis routes, physicochemical properties, bioactive delivery mechanisms, antifungal and anti-termite performance, and behavior under moisture and weathering conditions, alongside sustainability and regulatory considerations. The reviewed literature demonstrates that chitosan nanoparticles enhance essential oil retention, stability, and controlled release, leading to improved resistance against biological deterioration compared with unencapsulated formulations. In addition to performance benefits, these nano-enabled systems align with circular bioeconomy principles by utilizing renewable and waste-derived feedstocks while avoiding heavy metals and persistent synthetic biocides. Despite promising laboratory results, challenges remain related to long-term field performance, scalability, and environmental fate. Overall, chitosan–essential oil nano-formulations represent a versatile platform for next-generation, low-hazard wood protection, offering a promising pathway toward sustainable and durable wood preservation technologies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Nanoparticles in the Environmental Sciences)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

48 pages, 14465 KB

Open AccessReview

Porphyrin-Conjugated Hybrid Nanomaterials for Photocatalytic Wastewater Remediation

by Nirmal Kumar Shee and Hee-Joon Kim

Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(3), 1557; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16031557 - 4 Feb 2026

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 681

Abstract

Advanced oxidation processes using porphyrin-based heterogeneous catalysts hold promise for removing hazardous pollutants from wastewater. Their high visible-light absorption coefficients enable absorption of light from the solar spectrum. Moreover, their conjugated aromatic skeletons and intrinsic electronic properties facilitate the delocalization of photogenerated electrons during photodegradation. Delaying the recombination of photogenerated electron–hole pairs by introducing specific materials increases efficiency, as separated charges have more time to participate in redox reactions, boosting photocatalytic activities. However, applying these photocatalysts for wastewater treatment is challenging owing to facile agglomeration, deactivation, and recovery of the photocatalyst for reuse, which can significantly increase the overall cost. Therefore, new photocatalytic systems comprising porphyrin molecules must be developed. For this purpose, porphyrins can be conjugated to nanomaterials to create hybrid materials with photocatalytic efficiencies superior to those of free-standing starting porphyrins. Various transition metal oxides (TiO₂, ZnO, and Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles, main-group-element oxides (Al₂O₃ and SiO₂) nanoparticles, metal plasmons (silver nanoparticles), carbon-based platforms (graphene, graphene oxide, and g-C₃N₄), and polymer matrices have been used as nanostructured solid supports for the successful fabrication of porphyrin-conjugated hybrid materials. The conjugation of porphyrin molecules to solid supports improves the photocatalytic degradation activity in terms of visible-light conversion ability, recyclability, active porous sites, substrate mobility, separation of photogenerated charge species, recovery for reuse, and chemical stability, along with preventing the generation of secondary pollution. This review discusses the ongoing development of porphyrin-conjugated hybrid nanomaterials for the heterogeneous photocatalytic degradation of organic dyes, pharmaceutical pollutants, heavy metals, pesticides, and human care in water. Several important results and advancements in the field allow for a more efficient wastewater remediation process. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Nanoparticles in the Environmental Sciences)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

35 pages, 4505 KB

Open AccessReview

Surface-Modified Magnetic Nanoparticles for Photocatalytic Degradation of Antibiotics in Wastewater: A Review

by Melissa Ariza Gonzalez, Supawitch Hoijang, Dang B. Tran, Quoc Minh Tran, Refia Atik, Rafiqul Islam, Sugandika Maparathne, Sujitra Wongthep, Ramtin Yarinia, Ruwanthi Amarasekara, Pailinrut Chinwangso and T. Randall Lee

Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(2), 844; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16020844 - 14 Jan 2026

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1186

Abstract

Recent advancements in nanotechnology and materials science have enabled the development of magnetic photocatalysts with improved efficiency, stability, and reusability, offering a promising approach for wastewater treatment. The integration of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) into photocatalytic processes has gained significant attention as a sustainable method for addressing emerging pollutants—such as antibiotics and pharmaceutical compounds—which pose environmental and public health risks, including the proliferation of antibiotic resistance. Surface modification techniques, specifically applied to MNPs, are employed to enhance their photocatalytic performance by improving surface reactivity, reducing nanoparticle agglomeration, and increasing photocatalytic activity under both visible and ultraviolet (UV) light irradiation. These modifications also facilitate the selective adsorption and degradation of target contaminants. Importantly, the modified nanoparticles retain their magnetic properties, allowing for facile separation and reuse in multiple treatment cycles via external magnetic fields. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent developments in surface-modified MNPs for wastewater treatment, with a focus on their physicochemical properties, surface modification strategies, and effectiveness in the removal of antibiotics from aqueous environments. Furthermore, the review discusses advantages over conventional treatment methods, current limitations, and future research directions, emphasizing the potential of this technology for sustainable and efficient water purification. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Nanoparticles in the Environmental Sciences)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

37 pages, 5110 KB

Open AccessReview

Magnetic Cobalt and Other Types of Ferrite Nanoparticles: Synthesis Aspects and Novel Strategies for Application in Wastewater Treatment (Review)

by Agne Sukoviene, Saqib Ali, Arunas Jagminas and Simonas Ramanavicius

Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(2), 857; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15020857 - 16 Jan 2025

Cited by 28 | Viewed by 8003

Abstract

Magnetic ferrite nanoparticles have a broad application in wastewater treatment, and the interest in applying these particles specifically in waste treatment is growing. However, the gap in understanding how ferrite properties that are controllable through synthesis methods affect wastewater treatment efficiency needs to be better explained. In this review, we assess the analysis of the most impactful publications to highlight the controllable ferrite nanoparticles’ properties through the different synthesis methods and their parameters connected to wastewater treatment efficiency. For a long time, ferrite nanoparticles were seen as adsorbents suitable for physically removing pollutants, but recent studies show that these nanostructures could be suitable for UV and visible light-induced photocatalytic decomposition of contaminants. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Nanoparticles in the Environmental Sciences)

► Show Figures

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Applications of Nanoparticles in the Environmental Sciences

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Special Issue Information

Keywords

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

Related Special Issue

Published Papers (9 papers)

Research

Review

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI