Advanced Silica-Based Materials: From Molecular Design to Sustainable Applications
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: 30 April 2026 | Viewed by 8
Special Issue Editor
Interests: silica-based and hybrid materials; nanostructured systems; sol–gel chemistry; molecular design and functionalization; ion exchange and adsorption processes; nanocoatings and antimicrobial materials; drug delivery and regenerative medicine; metal oxide and magnetic nanoparticles; sustainable and green synthesis; biomedical and environmental applications of advanced materials
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
This Special Issue of the International Journal of Molecular Sciences focuses on recent advances in the design, synthesis, and molecular engineering of silica-based materials, emphasizing their role in sustainable and multifunctional applications. Silica and silica-derived hybrid systems are among the most versatile materials, owing to their well-defined nanostructures, tunable porosity, and surface chemistry, which enable applications across catalysis, adsorption, drug delivery, sensing, and energy storage.
Recent progress in molecular-level design and controlled functionalization has expanded the potential of silica frameworks beyond traditional uses, allowing the creation of hierarchically organized, hybrid, and bio-inspired materials with tailored performance. Moreover, sustainable synthetic approaches—such as sol–gel processes using green solvents, bio-derived precursors, and low-energy methodologies—are gaining prominence in alignment with environmental and circular economy principles.
This Special Issue aims to provide a platform for interdisciplinary research that bridges molecular science, materials chemistry, and sustainable technology. We invite contributions that explore the molecular understanding, structural characterization, and functional applications of advanced silica-based materials.
We welcome original research articles, short communications, and comprehensive reviews covering, but not exclusively, the following topics:
- Molecular design and synthesis of silica-based and hybrid materials;
- Functionalization strategies for tailored surface properties;
- Structure–property relationships and advanced characterization methods;
- Silica-based catalysts and adsorbents for sustainable chemistry;
- Nanostructured silica in biomedical, environmental, and energy applications;
- Green and scalable production of silica materials;
- Computational and theoretical studies of silica-based systems.
Dr. Marius Rǎdulescu
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. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.
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Keywords
- silica-based materials
- molecular design
- hybrid nanomaterials
- surface chemistry
- structure–property relationships
- functionalized silica
- sol–gel processes
- molecular interactions
- green synthesis
- sustainable applications
- nanostructured systems
- catalysis and adsorption
- biomedical interfaces
- energy and environmental materials
- molecular modeling
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