Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
7.6
4.0
Journals
Catalysts
Special Issues
Catalysis for Sustainable Environmental Solutions
share announcement

Catalysis for Sustainable Environmental Solutions

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2026 | Viewed by 3481

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Roberto Fiorenza

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
Interests: heterogeneous catalysis; photocatalysis; TiO2-based materials; air purification; water treatment; H2 economy; VOC oxidation; H2 production and purification; CO2 valorization
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue entitled “Catalysis for Sustainable Environmental Solutions” is related to the design and/or development of catalysts that are able to minimize adverse environmental impacts, such as greenhouse gas emissions, VOC pollutions, the presence of emerging contaminants in water, and all related recent environmental challenges. Such tasks can be achieved by means of tuning the chemico-physical properties of the catalytic materials or proposing innovative catalytic processes such as photothermocatalysis, photoelectrocatalysis, or the combination of different advanced oxidation processes (AOPs). Research and review papers dealing with all types of heterogeneous catalysis, including photocatalysis, electrocatalysis, environmental catalysis, biocatalysis/enzymes, and nanostructured catalysis to promote good catalytic efficiency, fall within the scope of this Special Issue. Moreover, engineering solutions, such as the development of new reactors or photoreactors or the combination of different multicatalytic approaches or AOPs, are also within the scope of the Special Issue, and research on them is welcome.

Dr. Roberto Fiorenza
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 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. 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

  • sustainability
  • CO2 valorization
  • VOC removal
  • water treatment
  • AOP

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.

Published Papers (4 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

16 pages, 1490 KB  
Article
Inactivation of Airborne Influenza Virus in Mice Using a Photocatalytic Air Purifier
by Fumihiro Nagata, Ryosuke Matsuura, Noriko Fukushi, Yasunobu Matsumoto, Takashi Fukushima, Kazuhiro Fujimoto, Masato Kozaki, Junichi Somei and Yoko Aida
Catalysts 2026, 16(4), 337; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal16040337 - 7 Apr 2026
Viewed by 646
Abstract
Aerosols are a major transmission route for seasonal influenza infections. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) photocatalyst has broad-spectrum antiviral activity, including in vitro influenza virus inactivation; however, whether the TiO2 photocatalyst can effectively inactivate airborne influenza A viruses in vivo under conditions [...] Read more.
Aerosols are a major transmission route for seasonal influenza infections. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) photocatalyst has broad-spectrum antiviral activity, including in vitro influenza virus inactivation; however, whether the TiO2 photocatalyst can effectively inactivate airborne influenza A viruses in vivo under conditions that mimic natural aerosol transmission remains unclear. Here, we evaluated in vivo inactivation of airborne H1N1 seasonal influenza virus by a photocatalyst-equipped air purifier using a mouse model. Influenza virus WSN strain aerosols were sprayed in a 60 L acrylic box with a nebulizer, circulated through a photocatalyst-equipped air purifier, exposed to BALB/c mice for 40 min after circulation, and subsequently collected with an air sampler. Thirty minutes of TiO2 photocatalyst treatment reduced influenza virus infectivity by 99.97%, and significantly lowered lung viral titer in mice on day 3 post-infection. Over 14 days post-infection, mice showed no >10% weight loss, 100% survival, and disease progression to the PBS (−) aerosol group. This suggests that the photocatalyst-equipped air purifier may reduce H1N1 seasonal influenza onset, preventing viral spread. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Catalysis for Sustainable Environmental Solutions)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

21 pages, 4748 KB  
Article
Synergistic and Magnetically Recoverable NiFe2O4–MWCNT–CA Nanocomposites for Efficient UV-Driven Photodegradation of Organic Pollutants
by Assem Basurrah, Ibrahim O. Althobaiti and Yaaser Q. Almulaiky
Catalysts 2026, 16(3), 262; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal16030262 - 14 Mar 2026
Viewed by 500
Abstract
A synergistic and magnetically recoverable NiFe2O4–MWCNT–CA nanocomposite was developed for efficient UV-driven photodegradation of hazardous organic pollutants. Biogenic NiFe2O4 nanoparticles synthesized using Costus speciosus extract exhibited a crystallite size of 32.5 nm, which increased to 83.6 [...] Read more.
A synergistic and magnetically recoverable NiFe2O4–MWCNT–CA nanocomposite was developed for efficient UV-driven photodegradation of hazardous organic pollutants. Biogenic NiFe2O4 nanoparticles synthesized using Costus speciosus extract exhibited a crystallite size of 32.5 nm, which increased to 83.6 nm upon incorporation into the MWCNT–cellulose acetate matrix. XRD confirmed the preservation of the cubic spinel structure, while VSM analysis showed maintained ferrimagnetic behavior with a saturation magnetization of 9.64 emu/g, enabling rapid magnetic separation. Although BET analysis revealed a reduction in surface area from 112.46 to 30.99 m2/g due to hybridization, the conductive MWCNT network significantly enhanced charge separation and interfacial electron transport. The composite displayed a widened optical bandgap of 5.3 eV, necessitating UV excitation for photocatalytic activity. Under UV irradiation, it achieved rapid degradation of methylene blue (97%) and Congo red (91%) at 20 mg/L, with corresponding rate constants of 0.119 and 0.076 min−1. Scavenger experiments confirmed hydroxyl radicals (•OH) as the dominant reactive species, followed by photogenerated holes (h+). These results demonstrate a robust and synergistically engineered photocatalyst with high efficiency in removing organic pollutants under UV illumination. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Catalysis for Sustainable Environmental Solutions)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

14 pages, 1888 KB  
Article
TiO2 Photocatalyst Inactivates Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus and H1N1 Seasonal Influenza Virus via Multi-Antiviral Effects
by Ryosuke Matsuura, Akatsuki Saito, Fumihiro Nagata, Noriko Fukushi, Yasunobu Matsumoto, Takashi Fukushima, Kazuhiro Fujimoto, Masato Kozaki, Junichi Somei and Yoko Aida
Catalysts 2026, 16(2), 168; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal16020168 - 4 Feb 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1045
Abstract
The highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) is widely distributed worldwide and causes significant economic losses. Transmission of HPAIV occurs through direct contact between infected and susceptible birds or indirectly via contaminated materials. In recent years, airborne transmission of HPAIV has also been [...] Read more.
The highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) is widely distributed worldwide and causes significant economic losses. Transmission of HPAIV occurs through direct contact between infected and susceptible birds or indirectly via contaminated materials. In recent years, airborne transmission of HPAIV has also been reported, underscoring the need for novel approaches to effectively inactivate airborne HPAIV. Photocatalysts have attracted significant attention as potential antiviral agents. In this study, we demonstrated that a TiO2-mediated photocatalytic reaction inactivated HPAIV and H1N1 seasonal influenza viruses in liquid, reducing their infectivity by 90.7% and 94.4%, respectively, after 60 min. Mechanistic analyses revealed decreased virion size and surface structure disruption, as determined by transmission electron microscopy. Additional evidence of viral protein and genome damage was obtained using Western blotting and RT-qPCR, respectively. Given the broad antiviral activity of photocatalysts, these findings suggest that they can inactivate influenza viruses regardless of strain or subtype. Notably, photocatalysts inactivated 80% of aerosolized H1N1 seasonal influenza viruses within 5 min. These results provide strong evidence that photocatalysts are capable of inactivating airborne influenza viruses. This study represents the first demonstration that photocatalysts can inactivate HPAIV and aerosolized influenza viruses. These findings provide strong evidence that photocatalysts represent a promising countermeasure against HPAIV, with potential applicability across different strains and subtypes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Catalysis for Sustainable Environmental Solutions)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

16 pages, 1902 KB  
Article
MXene/SiO2-CeO2 Nanoarchitectures for Photothermal-Catalytic Environmental Applications
by Giusy Dativo, Javier Perez-Carvajal, Salvatore Scirè, Giuseppe Compagnini, Roberto Fiorenza and Eduardo Ruiz-Hitzky
Catalysts 2026, 16(2), 136; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal16020136 - 1 Feb 2026
Viewed by 676
Abstract
MXenes, a family of two-dimensional transition metal carbides and nitrides, exhibit exceptional electrical conductivity, tunable surface chemistry, and strong broadband light absorption. However, their practical implementation is often limited by structural instability, such as restacking and surface oxidation. In this study, we propose [...] Read more.
MXenes, a family of two-dimensional transition metal carbides and nitrides, exhibit exceptional electrical conductivity, tunable surface chemistry, and strong broadband light absorption. However, their practical implementation is often limited by structural instability, such as restacking and surface oxidation. In this study, we propose a strategy for the design of hybrid nanocomposites based on exfoliated Ti3C2Tx MXene embedded within a porous silica (SiO2) matrix and further functionalized with cerium dioxide (CeO2) nanoparticles. The SiO2 matrix, synthesized via a sol–gel approach, ensures homogeneous dispersion, increased porosity, and thermal stability, effectively reducing MXene restacking. Simultaneously, CeO2 nanoparticles create surface oxygen vacancies and enhance interfacial reactivity. Comprehensive structural, morphological, surface, and optical characterizations confirm the formation of stable, light-responsive nanoarchitectures with tailored textural properties. Furthermore, the obtained material exhibit promising photothermal-catalytic properties. This work offers a materials-oriented approach for engineering multifunctional MXene-based architectures with enhanced photothermal performance, exemplified by their potential application in the photothermo-catalytic CO2 conversion into solar fuels, showcasing the broader possibilities enabled by these materials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Catalysis for Sustainable Environmental Solutions)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-4
Back to TopTop