The Recent Advances in Sustainable Materials for Energy and Environmental Applications

A special issue of Chemistry (ISSN 2624-8549).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2026 | Viewed by 1446

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Centre for Advanced Research and Development (CARD), Christ University, Bangalore, India
Interests: nanotechnology; carbon nanospheres; photoalignment; photoinduced studies; super capacitors

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Sustainable materials lie at the heart of transformative solutions for global energy and environmental challenges. This Special Issue, entitled “The Recent Advances in Sustainable Materials for Energy and Environmental Applications”, seeks the submission of high‑quality contributions that showcase the design of innovative materials, green synthesis methods, and performance optimization for energy conversion, storage, and environmental remediation.

Professor Gurumurthy Hegde’s work on functional nanomaterials, heterostructured catalysts, and bioderived composites highlights the key research directions:

  • Photocatalytic and electrocatalytic systems for solar‑driven hydrogen production, CO2 reduction, and pollutant degradation.
  • Advanced electrode materials—including doped metal oxides, carbon‑based frameworks, and perovskite‑inspired composites—for high‑capacity, long‑cycle life batteries and supercapacitors.
  • Bio‑inspired and biomass‑derived composites with tunable porosity and surface chemistry tailored for the selective adsorption of heavy metals, dyes, and organic pollutants from water.

We encourage the submission of studies that combine experimental work with theoretical insights—density functional theory (DFT), molecular dynamics, or machine‑learning‑assisted design—to unravel structure–property relationships. Contributions focused on scalable synthesis, lifecycle assessment, and technoeconomic analysis are particularly welcome, particularly those that bridge lab‑scale breakthroughs with real‑world deployment.

Environmental applications extend beyond water treatment to include air purification (e.g., VOC removal, NOₓ abatement), greenhouse gas capture, and smart membranes for resource recovery. Energy‑related topics include next‑generation photocathodes, photoanodes, and hybrid systems that integrate energy harvesting with on‑site fuel generation or storage. Placing emphasis on material recyclability, regeneration, and circular‑economy principles will help set new benchmarks for sustainable technology lifecycles.

This Special Issue invites the submission of original research articles, comprehensive reviews, and concise communications that advance our understanding of sustainable materials in energy and environmental contexts. By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration among chemists, materials scientists, and engineers, we aim to accelerate the translation of novel materials into impactful solutions that support a cleaner, more resilient future.

Prof. Dr. Gurumurthy Hegde
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • sustainable nanomaterials
  • photocatalysis for energy conversion
  • electrochemical energy storage
  • bioderived composites
  • heterostructured catalysts
  • water purification materials
  • CO2 reduction catalysts
  • lifecycle assessment
  • structure–property modeling
  • circular economy materials

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 2663 KB  
Article
Self-Heating Performance of Magnetite Doped with Cobalt/Zinc Nanoparticles: Impact of Magnetic Field, Coating Agent, and Dispersing Solvent
by Enaam A. Al-Harthi, Ghaida H. Munshi, Jamilah M. Al-Ahmari and Mohamed S. A. Darwish
Chemistry 2026, 8(2), 28; https://doi.org/10.3390/chemistry8020028 - 16 Feb 2026
Viewed by 640
Abstract
Fabrication of magnetic materials via a facile and environmentally favorable process with high self-heating performance is quite favored for biomedical applications. To tackle this challenge, magnetic ferrite nanoparticles were developed through an ultrasonic-assisted coprecipitation process. Magnetite (Fe3O4), magnetite doped [...] Read more.
Fabrication of magnetic materials via a facile and environmentally favorable process with high self-heating performance is quite favored for biomedical applications. To tackle this challenge, magnetic ferrite nanoparticles were developed through an ultrasonic-assisted coprecipitation process. Magnetite (Fe3O4), magnetite doped with cobalt nanoparticles (Co0.4Fe2.6O4), and magnetite doped with cobalt/zinc nanoparticles (Zn0.15Co0.25Fe2.6O4) were synthesized using ultrasonic-assisted coprecipitation techniques. Specific loss power (SLP) was estimated to optimize the heating influence under varied magnetic fields, coating agents, and dispersing solvents. Magnetite doped with cobalt/zinc nanoparticles demonstrated elevated SLP 110 W/g with preferable hyperthermic performance, where AMF conditions did not surpass the safety border for human exposure. The self-heating performance of magnetite doped with cobalt/zinc nanoparticles increased with increasing strength at a constant frequency. The self-heating performance of magnetite nanoparticles increased with increasing frequency at constant strength. Hence, the prepared magnetite doped with cobalt/zinc nanoparticles by the ultrasonic-assisted coprecipitation process can be appropriate for biomedical applications. Full article
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Review

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24 pages, 1606 KB  
Review
Review of Preparation, Application, and Microbiological Reaction of Magnetic Biochar for Heavy Metal Removal from Polluted Soils
by Ahmed El-Hussein, Alexandra Ioanid, Adel A. Surour, Mahmoud M. Ashry, M. N. Sanad, Mohamed Farouz, Mohamed M. Elfaham and M. S. Abd El-Sadek
Chemistry 2026, 8(4), 47; https://doi.org/10.3390/chemistry8040047 - 7 Apr 2026
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Abstract
Magnetic biochar (MBC), a magnetically responsive soil amendment, has attracted considerable attention due to its efficient magnetic separation capability and strong potential for remediating heavy metal-contaminated soils. Despite extensive research, a comprehensive evaluation of its raw materials, synthesis routes, performance-influencing factors, removal mechanisms, [...] Read more.
Magnetic biochar (MBC), a magnetically responsive soil amendment, has attracted considerable attention due to its efficient magnetic separation capability and strong potential for remediating heavy metal-contaminated soils. Despite extensive research, a comprehensive evaluation of its raw materials, synthesis routes, performance-influencing factors, removal mechanisms, and microbial interactions remains limited. This review systematically examines biomass feedstocks and magnetic precursors used in MBC production and critically evaluates preparation methods, including hydrothermal carbonization, co-precipitation, ball milling, microwave pyrolysis, and impregnation–pyrolysis. Key factors affecting heavy metal removal—such as metal speciation, pyrolysis temperature, soil properties, dosage, and feedstock type—are discussed in detail. The primary immobilization mechanisms, including redox reactions, surface and co-precipitation, ion exchange, functional group complexation, physical adsorption, π–π interactions, and electrostatic attraction, are comprehensively analyzed. Furthermore, the interactions between MBC, soil physicochemical parameters, and microbial communities are evaluated to assess ecotoxicological implications. Finally, we provide valuable recommendations for the future direction of magnetic biochar research to advance its application in heavy metal removal from soil. Full article
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