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Catalysts
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Nanocatalysts in Energy and Environmental Applications
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Nanocatalysts in Energy and Environmental Applications

A special issue of Catalysts (ISSN 2073-4344). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental Catalysis".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2025 | Viewed by 1449

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Qing Li

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for the Green Preparation and Application of Functional Materials, Hubei Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, China
Interests: nanomaterials; polyimide macromolecules; dielectric materials; photocatalysis; graphitic carbon nitride; catalytic activity

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Nanocatalysts have emerged as key materials in advancing energy and environmental technologies due to their unique properties at the nanoscale, such as high surface area, enhanced reactivity, and tunable physicochemical characteristics. These properties make them ideal candidates for a wide range of applications, including energy conversion, storage, and environmental remediation.

This Special Issue encompasses, but is not limited to, nanocatalysts for hydrogen production, fuel cells, biofuels, and carbon capture. In the environmental field, we are particularly interested in nanocatalysts for pollutant degradation, wastewater treatment, and air purification. This Special Issue will also highlight emerging catalytic technologies such as photocatalysis, electrocatalysis, and biocatalysis, which leverage nanomaterials to enhance efficiency and sustainability.

By gathering cutting-edge research on nanocatalysts in these critical areas, this Special Issue aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of the art, highlight future challenges, and present new opportunities for the development of sustainable and efficient catalytic processes in energy and environmental sectors.

Dr. Qing Li
Guest Editor

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. Catalysts is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly 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 2200 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

  • nanostructured catalysts for energy conversion and storage
  • semiconductor nanostructured materials for energy and environmental applications
  • environmental remediation
  • supported nanocatalysts
  • nanostructured electrocatalysts
  • nanostructured photocatalysts
  • nanostructured photoelectrocatalysts
  • nanostructured bio/photobiocatalysts
  • nanostructured catalysts for photosynthesis/artificial photosynthesis
  • nanostructured membranes for water purification
  • photoelectrochemical water splitting
  • oxygen reduction reaction
  • oxygen/hydrogen evolution reaction
  • bioinspired catalysts
  • sustainable/clean energy

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

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

19 pages, 3870 KiB  
Article
Gliding Arc Plasma Synthesis of MnO2 Nanomaterials for Catalytic Oxidation of Benzene: Effect of Plasmagenic Gas
by Franck W. Boyom-Tatchemo, François Devred, Elie Acayanka, Georges Kamgang-Youbi, Samuel Laminsi and Eric M. Gaigneaux
Catalysts 2025, 15(5), 451; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal15050451 - 5 May 2025
Viewed by 226
Abstract
MnO2 nanostructures were successfully synthesized via the reduction of KMnO4 solutions using the gliding arc plasma (Plasma Glidarc) approach. Here, we highlight the effect of different plasmagenic gases, such as moist air (atmospheric air), dry air, nitrogen (N2) or [...] Read more.
MnO2 nanostructures were successfully synthesized via the reduction of KMnO4 solutions using the gliding arc plasma (Plasma Glidarc) approach. Here, we highlight the effect of different plasmagenic gases, such as moist air (atmospheric air), dry air, nitrogen (N2) or oxygen (O2). The obtained materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), nitrogen physisorption and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The crystalline structures of obtained MnO2 polymorphs are mainly γ-MnO2 and α-MnO2, regardless of the feeding gas. The main reactive species, in addition to nitrogenous species like NO· radical generated with moist air, dry air or N2 gas, other oxygenated species such as H2O2 (E°(O2/H2O2) = 0.69 V) are produced with O2 able to reduce KMnO4 solution (E°(KMnO4/MnO2) = 1.70 V). Helium gas did not allow for the plasma reduction of the KMnO4 solution, even after 60 min of exposure. Furthermore, gas humidification did not significantly affect the precipitation time or the properties of plasma-synthesized MnO2. Atmospheric humidified air appears to be the best plasmagenic gas, as it allows for a shorter synthesis time and leads to a large specific surface area. All plasma-synthesized MnO2 showed good activity during the catalytic oxidation of benzene. The use of different MnO2 polymorphs (α-, δ- and γ-MnO2) showed that, in addition to the specific surface area, the crystalline structure significantly affects the catalytic oxidation of benzene. K+ species inserted within the MnO2 structure allow for their stability during the catalytic process. This work highlights the possibility to use different plasmagenic gases to prepare MnO2 nanostructures through plasma glidarc for the catalytic oxidation of benzene. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanocatalysts in Energy and Environmental Applications)
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20 pages, 6117 KiB  
Article
Sustainable Synthesis of Zirconium Dioxide (ZrO2) Nanoparticles Utilizing Asphodelus fistulosus Extract for Congo Red Degradation
by Rand A. N. Alkhalifa, Abuzar E. A. E. Albadri, Reham Ali, Abdullah H. Alluhayb, Alaa M. Younis and Sayed M. Saleh
Catalysts 2025, 15(2), 123; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal15020123 - 27 Jan 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1001
Abstract
This research presents a green approach to synthesizing zirconium oxide (ZrO2) nanoparticles using an Asphodelus fistulosus plant extract as a reducing and stabilizing agent. The synthesized ZrO2 nanoparticles were characterized using various advanced techniques. The XRD pattern provides different forms [...] Read more.
This research presents a green approach to synthesizing zirconium oxide (ZrO2) nanoparticles using an Asphodelus fistulosus plant extract as a reducing and stabilizing agent. The synthesized ZrO2 nanoparticles were characterized using various advanced techniques. The XRD pattern provides different forms of ZrO2, like tetragonal and cubic forms, and the results confirmed the successful formation of crystalline ZrO2 nanoparticles with a definite morphology. The XPS data exhibit that the bioactive chemicals present in the extract, including polyphenols, flavonoids, and reducing sugars, perform the functions of reducing and capping agents. Additionally, CR dye molecules may create hydrogen bonds with these surface moieties, which are approved by FTIR. These interactions may assist in aligning dye molecules with catalytically active regions on ZrO2 surfaces and may interact with photogenerated species. The catalytic activity of the synthesized ZrO2 nanoparticles was evaluated for the degradation of Congo red dye under ultraviolet irradiation. The nanoparticles exhibited excellent photocatalytic activity, degrading a significant amount of the dye within a short period. Various parameters were investigated to optimize the photodegradation process, including irradiation time, catalyst dosage, pH, and initial dye concentration. The optimal conditions were determined to be a pH of 7, a catalyst loading of 20 mg/L, and an irradiation time of 75 min, resulting in a remarkable ≈92% degradation efficiency. This green synthesis method offers a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to conventional chemical methods for producing ZrO2 nanoparticles, which have potential applications in environmental remediation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanocatalysts in Energy and Environmental Applications)
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