applsci-logo

Journal Browser

Journal Browser

Preparation, Characterization and Application of Functional Nanomaterials

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 May 2025 | Viewed by 509

Special Issue Editors


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute for Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability, College of Science, Engineering and Technology, University of South Africa, Florida Science Campus, Roodepoort 1710, South Africa
Interests: nanomaterials; electrochemical sensors; hydrogen economy; lithium ion/air batteries; nanocomposites; environmental analytical chemistry

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Agricultural Research Council-Vegetable, Industrial and Medicinal Plants (ARC-VIMP), Roodeplaat, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
Interests: analytical chemistry; chromatography; water quality; separation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Advanced Materials Division, Mintek, Private Bag X3015, Randburg 2125, Gauteng Province, South Africa
Interests: catalysis; energy storage; wastewater treatment; acid mine drainage remediation; fuel cells

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Chemistry, University of Venda, Private Bag X5050, Thohoyandou 0950, South Africa
Interests: analytical chemistry; chromatography; nanocomposites; emerging pollutants; wastewater treatment

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The functionalization of nanomaterials enhances their stability, functionality, biocompatibility, and electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties, rendering them unique for a variety of applications. Due to this, functional nanomaterials are promising for applications in many fields ranging from catalysis, sensors (chemical, bio, gas, optical, etc.), water electrolyzers, energy storage, water treatment, and nanoscale electronic devices, among others. As a result, advanced synthetic and controllable characterization methods have been developed to evaluate the suitability of functional materials for a wide range of applications. These advances have played a key role in the agricultural, environmental, water, and technological sectors, among others.

This Special Issue aims to highlight developments in the preparation, characterization, and application of functional nanomaterials in various research fields. This Special Issue will cover (but will not be limited to) the following topics and their diverse applications:

  • Polymer-based nanomaterials;
  • Carbon-based nanomaterials;
  • Metal-based nanomaterials;
  • Silicon nanomaterials;
  • Dendrimers;
  • Nanocomposites.

We welcome high-quality original research and review articles on topics related to the preparation, characterization, and application of functional nanomaterials.

Dr. Tshimangadzo Munonde
Dr. Anele Mpupa
Dr. Mpfunzeni Raphulu
Dr. Selahle Kholofelo Shirley
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 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. 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

  • quantum dots
  • biochar
  • hydrogels
  • nanotubes
  • polymers
  • environmental remediation
  • sensors
  • catalysis
  • energy storage
  • desalination

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.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

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

Published Papers (1 paper)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

23 pages, 8054 KiB  
Article
Electron Beam Irradiation’s Effect on Polyaniline/LiClO4/CuO Nanocomposite: A Study of Dielectric, Conductivity and Electrochemical Properties
by Yesappa Laxmayyaguddi, Sharanappa Chapi and Nagaraj Nandihalli
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(7), 4001; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15074001 - 4 Apr 2025
Viewed by 231
Abstract
A straightforward chemical polymerization process was used to create the polyaniline/LiClO4/CuO nanoparticle (PLC) nanocomposite, which was then exposed to varying doses of electron beam (EB) radiation and studied. The FESEM, XRD, FTIR, DSC, TG/DTA, and electrochemical measurements with higher EB doses [...] Read more.
A straightforward chemical polymerization process was used to create the polyaniline/LiClO4/CuO nanoparticle (PLC) nanocomposite, which was then exposed to varying doses of electron beam (EB) radiation and studied. The FESEM, XRD, FTIR, DSC, TG/DTA, and electrochemical measurements with higher EB doses showed clear changes. The FTIR spectra of the PLC nanocomposite showed variations in the C-N and carbonyl groups at 1341 cm−1 and 1621 cm−1, respectively. After a 120 kGy EB dose, the shape changed from a smooth, uneven surface to a well-connected, nanofiber-like structure, creating pathways for electricity to flow through the polymer matrix. The EB irradiation improved the thermal stability by decreasing the melting temperature, and the XRD and DSC studies reveal that the decrease in crystallinity is attributed to the dominant chain scission mechanism. The enhanced absorption and red shift in the wavelength (from 374 nm to 400 nm) observed in the UV-Visible spectroscopy were caused by electrons transitioning from a lower to a higher energy state, with a progressive drop in the band gaps (Eg) from 2.15 to 1.77 eV following irradiation. The dielectric parameters increased with the temperature and electron beam doses because of the dissociation of the ion aggregates and the emergence of defects and/or disorders in the polymer band gaps. This was triggered by chain scission, discontinuity, and bond breaking in the molecular chains at elevated levels of radiation energy, leading to an augmented charge carrier density and, subsequently, enhanced conductivity. The cyclic voltammetry study revealed an enhanced electrochemical stability at a high scan rate of about 600 mV/s for the PLC nanocomposite with the increase in the EB doses. The I-V characteristics measured at room temperature exhibited nonohmic behavior with an expanded current range, and the electrical conductivity was estimated, using the I-V curve, to be around 1.05 × 10−4 S/cm post 20 kGy EB irradiation. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop