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Molecular Research and Applications of Nanomaterials

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Nanoscience".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2025 | Viewed by 546

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
LAQV/REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University of Lisbon, Largo da Torre, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
Interests: gold; nanoparticles; catalysis; carbon; oxides; oxidation; heterogenization; alcohols; alkanes
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

I am serving as the Guest Editor of this Special Issue of the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, dealing with molecular research and applications of nanomaterials. I am personally inviting you to submit your original articles, reviews, and communications exploring the synthesis, characterization, and molecular applications of nanomaterials in several fields, including catalysis, environmental science, electronics, energy storage, and others. Studies that highlight innovative molecular approaches to enhance the properties and functionality of nanomaterials are particularly welcome. Submissions should present significant contributions to advancing the understanding and practical applications of nanomaterials at the molecular level.

As the Guest Editor of this Special Issue, I look forward to your valuable contributions to this exciting and rapidly evolving field!

Dr. Sónia Carabineiro
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • molecular research
  • application
  • functionality of nanomaterials
  • catalysis
  • environmental science

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

23 pages, 13783 KiB  
Article
Synthesis and Characterization of a Nanocomposite Based on Opuntia ficus indica for Efficient Removal of Methylene Blue Dye: Adsorption Kinetics and Optimization by Response Surface Methodology
by Yasser Boumezough, Gianluca Viscusi, Sihem Arris, Giuliana Gorrasi and Sónia A. C. Carabineiro
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(14), 6717; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26146717 - 13 Jul 2025
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Abstract
In this study, an efficient and cost-effective nanocomposite material based on Opuntia ficus indica (cactus) powder modified with iron oxide nanoparticles was developed as an adsorbent for the removal of methylene blue (MB), a common water pollutant. The nanocomposite was synthesized through the [...] Read more.
In this study, an efficient and cost-effective nanocomposite material based on Opuntia ficus indica (cactus) powder modified with iron oxide nanoparticles was developed as an adsorbent for the removal of methylene blue (MB), a common water pollutant. The nanocomposite was synthesized through the co-precipitation method of Fe2+ and Fe3+ ions and characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Batch adsorption experiments were conducted over 24 h, varying different operational conditions, such as pH, temperature and initial pollutant concentration. Furthermore, a Box–Behnken design was employed to develop an empirical model for predicting removal efficiency and optimizing the adsorption conditions. The effects of adsorption variables including contact time (1–60 min), initial MB concentration (20–100 mg/L), pH (2–12), adsorbent dosage (2–6 g/L) and temperature (25–55 °C) on the removal capacity were examined. Under optimal conditions, the maximum removal efficiency of MB reached approximately 96%, with a maximum adsorption capacity of 174 mg/g, as predicted by the Langmuir model. The synthesized cactus/iron oxide nanocomposite demonstrated significant potential as an adsorbent for treating MB-contaminated water. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Research and Applications of Nanomaterials)
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