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Inorganics
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Feature Papers in Inorganic Solid-State Chemistry 2025
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Feature Papers in Inorganic Solid-State Chemistry 2025

A special issue of Inorganics (ISSN 2304-6740). This special issue belongs to the section "Inorganic Solid-State Chemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2025 | Viewed by 6744

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Hans Riesen

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Guest Editor
School of Physical, Environmental and Mathematical Sciences, The University of New South Wales, UNSW Canberra at the Australian Defence Force Academy, P.O. Box 7916, Canberra, ACT 2610, Australia
Interests: optical and laser spectroscopy of inorganic compounds; inorganic X-ray storage phosphors; transition metal and rare earth ion coordination compounds
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Raymond J. Gorte

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
Interests: heterogeneous catalysis; atomic layer deposition; metal-support effects; solid oxide fuel cells
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Moulay T. Sougrati

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institut Charles Gerhardt Montpellier, Montpellier, France
Interests: inorganic materials; energy storage and conversion; characterization; mössbauer spectroscopy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Inorganic solid-state chemistry is arguably a cornerstone of science and technology and includes the synthesis, characterization, and application of inorganic materials like ceramics, metals, and semiconductors. This field, based on crystallography, quantum mechanics, and thermodynamics, is essential for developing materials with tailored functionalities.

Solid-state chemistry investigates materials with unique electronic, magnetic, and optical properties, and this has led, for example, to the discovery of high-temperature superconductors, a subfield that is still of high interest for its technological and societal significance. Similarly, and as another example, advances in magnetic materials have enormously impacted data storage devices.

Inorganic solid-state chemistry also addresses major challenges like energy sustainability and environmental issues. For example, innovations in catalysts can yield more ecofriendly industrial processes, while new materials for solar cells and batteries support renewable energy advancements.

This Special Issue seeks to exhibit some high-quality research in inorganic solid-state chemistry, with a focus on the synthesis, advanced characterization, and modern applications of inorganic materials. The focus will be on recent advances and innovative methods in investigating inorganic compounds, with an emphasis on their structural, spectroscopic, magnetic, and general physical properties.

Well aligned with the scope of Inorganics, which reports on all aspects of inorganic chemistry, this Special Issue aims to contribute to the journal's mission by seeking the publication of detailed experimental and theoretical results. The scope is balanced, addressing current research trends and technological advancements, aiming for at least 10 articles, potentially leading to a book publication.

Suggested themes and article types for submissions include the following:

  1. The synthesis and characterization of novel solid-state inorganic materials;
  2. Optical and electronic properties of inorganic solid-state materials (e.g., luminescence, conductivity etc.);
  3. Magnetic and superconducting materials and applications in data storage and quantum;
  4. Catalysis and reaction mechanisms;
  5. Environmental and energy;
  6. Nanomaterials and nanotechnology.

Article Types:

  1. Research Articles: Original research findings that provide new insights into inorganic solid-state chemistry;
  2. Review Articles: Comprehensive reviews of current trends, advancements, and challenges in specific areas of inorganic chemistry;
  3. Perspective Articles: Opinion pieces that discuss future directions, emerging trends, or controversial topics in inorganic chemistry.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Hans Riesen
Prof. Dr. Raymond J. Gorte
Dr. Moulay T. Sougrati
Guest Editors

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. Inorganics 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

  • inorganic solid state chemistry
  • inorganic solid-state synthesis
  • inorganic solid-state characterization
  • inorganic solid-state properties
  • inorganic solid-state theory
  • inorganic solid-state applications

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  • 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 (8 papers)

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Research

Jump to: Review

13 pages, 2897 KB  
Article
A Mild Iodide–Triiodide Redox Pathway for Alkali-Metal and Ammonium Ion Intercalation into Layered Tungsten Oxychloride (WO2Cl2)
by John Samuel, Jefferson Carter, John Ackerman, Jinke Tang and Brian Leonard
Inorganics 2025, 13(12), 403; https://doi.org/10.3390/inorganics13120403 - 11 Dec 2025
Viewed by 230
Abstract
A novel and facile route for intercalating alkali-metal ions and ammonium ions into the layered mixed-ion compound tungsten oxychloride (WO2Cl2) has been developed using the iodide–triiodide redox couple as a mild redox-active reagent. Unlike traditional intercalation techniques employing highly [...] Read more.
A novel and facile route for intercalating alkali-metal ions and ammonium ions into the layered mixed-ion compound tungsten oxychloride (WO2Cl2) has been developed using the iodide–triiodide redox couple as a mild redox-active reagent. Unlike traditional intercalation techniques employing highly reducing and air-sensitive reagents such as n-butyllithium, alkali triethylborohydride, and naphthalenide, the I−/I3− redox system operates at a moderate potential (0.536 V vs. SHE), enabling safer handling under ambient conditions without stringent inert-atmosphere requirements. This redox pair promotes the reduction of W6+ to W5+, thereby facilitating cation insertion into the van der Waal (vdW) gaps of WO2Cl2. This method uniquely enables ammonium ion intercalation into WO2Cl2, a first for this system. Intercalation was confirmed by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM/EDS), Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), with measured lattice expansion correlating well with Shannon ionic radii and coordinating environments. Electrical transport measurements reveal a transition from insulating WO2Cl2 to a semiconducting phase for K0.5WO2Cl2, exhibiting a resistance drop of over four orders of magnitude. This work demonstrates the I−/I3− couple as a general, safe, and versatile method for layered mixed-anion materials, broadening the chemical toolkit for low-temperature, solution-based tuning of structures and properties. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Inorganic Solid-State Chemistry 2025)
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17 pages, 2466 KB  
Article
Copper(II) Complexes with 4,4′-Bipyridine: From 1D to 3D Lattices
by Susan N. Herringer, Rahel L. Welten, Daniel Biner, Jürg Hauser and Karl W. Krämer
Inorganics 2025, 13(12), 400; https://doi.org/10.3390/inorganics13120400 - 5 Dec 2025
Viewed by 240
Abstract
Three new Cu(II) coordination polymers with 4,4′-bipyridine (bpy) were synthesized by hydrothermal reactions and their structures determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. [Cu(bpy)3(H2O)2](bpy)(PF6)2(H2O)3 (1) is built from bpy-bridged [...] Read more.
Three new Cu(II) coordination polymers with 4,4′-bipyridine (bpy) were synthesized by hydrothermal reactions and their structures determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. [Cu(bpy)3(H2O)2](bpy)(PF6)2(H2O)3 (1) is built from bpy-bridged chains, [Cu(bpy)2(H2O)2](bpy)(PF6)2(H2O)6 (2) from layers, and in [Cu(bpy)2(NO3)](bpy)(PF6)2(H3O)(H2O) (3) the layers are further connected by nitrate to a cuboid lattice. The magnetic properties of 3 are compared to [Cu(bpy)2(H2O)2](SiF6) (4) and [Cu(pyz)(bpy)(H2O)2](PF6)2 (5), where pyz = pyrazine. 3–5 are weakly coupled two-dimensional S = 1/2 antiferromagnetic Heisenberg lattices with 0.86 K < J < 1.47 K. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Inorganic Solid-State Chemistry 2025)
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11 pages, 1977 KB  
Article
Structural, Up-Conversion Luminescence, and Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Investigations of Yb3+/Er3+-Doped LiGdF4 Nanocrystals Dispersed in Silica Glassy Matrix
by Corina Secu, Cristian Radu, Arpad Rostas and Mihail Secu
Inorganics 2025, 13(11), 378; https://doi.org/10.3390/inorganics13110378 - 19 Nov 2025
Viewed by 444
Abstract
We have investigated the structural, morphological, magnetic, and up-conversion luminescence properties of the Yb3+/Er3+-doped LiGdF4 nanocrystals precipitated in the silica glassy matrix. Morphological analysis showed uniform distribution of LiGdF4 nanocrystals (tens of nm in size), embedded in [...] Read more.
We have investigated the structural, morphological, magnetic, and up-conversion luminescence properties of the Yb3+/Er3+-doped LiGdF4 nanocrystals precipitated in the silica glassy matrix. Morphological analysis showed uniform distribution of LiGdF4 nanocrystals (tens of nm in size), embedded in silica glass matrix. FTIR spectroscopy analysis showed trifluoracetates thermolysis with silica lattice formation and structural analysis by XRD is consistent with the LiGdF4 crystallization process, most likely through an autocatalytic reaction. The stress and crystalline lattice distortion are assigned to the doping and glass matrix environment where the growth process occurs. The EPR spectra associated with the Gd3+ ions have shown a well-defined spectrum in the xerogel, associated with the trifluoroacetate ligand environment. In the LiGdF4 nanocrystals, the broad and unresolved spectrum is due to an envelope of unresolved anisotropic fine structure and a high dipole–dipole interaction between the Gd3+/Yb3+/Er3+ paramagnetic ions. Under 980 nm laser light pumping, we observed the characteristic “blue”, “green” and “red” up-conversion luminescences of the Er3+ ions through Yb → Er energy transfer process, that imply three and two-photon process; near UV up-conversion luminescence of Gd3+ is observed at about 280–300 nm where Yb → Er and Er → Gd energy transfer is involved. The UC luminescence properties can be improved up to two times by additional Yttrium co-doping due to the induced crystal field distortion. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Inorganic Solid-State Chemistry 2025)
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16 pages, 36018 KB  
Article
Ultra-Rapid Synthesis of Co3O4 Nanostructures with Tunable Morphology via Nickel-Assisted Anodization
by Leydi Julieta Cardenas Flechas, Jorge Bautista-Ruiz, Paulo Tarso Cavalcante Freire, Elaine Cristina Paris and Miryam Rincón Joya
Inorganics 2025, 13(11), 350; https://doi.org/10.3390/inorganics13110350 - 26 Oct 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 567
Abstract
Various morphologies of cobalt oxide Co3O4 films on cobalt (Co) foils were obtained via anodization followed by a thermal treatment at 350 °C. This study introduces a rapid and cost-effective synthesis route, achieving well-defined spinel structures in only 30 min. [...] Read more.
Various morphologies of cobalt oxide Co3O4 films on cobalt (Co) foils were obtained via anodization followed by a thermal treatment at 350 °C. This study introduces a rapid and cost-effective synthesis route, achieving well-defined spinel structures in only 30 min. The novelty of this work lies in exploring nickel (Ni) as a morphological modifier in the anodization electrolyte. FESEM analysis revealed that, while anodization without Ni produced nanoflake structures, the inclusion of Ni transformed the morphology into larger cubic crystals and rice grain–shaped nanoparticles. XPS confirmed the presence of oxygen vacancies during phase formation, TEM showed spinel grains smaller than 20 nm, and Raman spectroscopy exhibited characteristic peak shifts influenced by both anodization and Ni addition. These results demonstrate that Ni not only accelerates the formation of spinel Co3O4 but also plays a decisive role in tailoring morphology, highlighting the efficiency and novelty of this approach. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Inorganic Solid-State Chemistry 2025)
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18 pages, 2070 KB  
Article
Structural Water Accommodation in Co3O4: A Combined Neutron and Synchrotron Radiation Diffraction and DFT Study
by Mariangela Longhi, Mauro Coduri, Paolo Ghigna, Davide Ceresoli and Marco Scavini
Inorganics 2025, 13(9), 288; https://doi.org/10.3390/inorganics13090288 - 27 Aug 2025
Viewed by 1108
Abstract
Spinels like Co3O4 have acquired relevance because of their photocatalytic, electrocatalytic, optical and magnetic properties. In this context, we investigated the defect structure evolution of compounds synthetized using the nitrate precursor method and after annealing cycles at temperatures ranging from [...] Read more.
Spinels like Co3O4 have acquired relevance because of their photocatalytic, electrocatalytic, optical and magnetic properties. In this context, we investigated the defect structure evolution of compounds synthetized using the nitrate precursor method and after annealing cycles at temperatures ranging from 260 to 650 °C by means of thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), neutron powder diffraction (NPD), X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) coupled to Pair Distribution Function (PDF) analysis, and Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations. Deuterated and hydrogenated precursors were adopted to produce the samples for NPD and XRPD experiments, respectively. TGA measurements displayed weight losses, the extent of which increased on lowering the preparation annealing temperature, suggesting that the adopted wet synthesis introduces structural water in the sample. Both XRPD and NPD revealed the presence of vacancies in tetrahedral cobalt sites (VCo1″) whose concentration at RT decreases on raising the annealing temperatures, while octahedral cobalt and oxygen sites were fully occupied in all the samples. In addition, the VCo1″ presence induces a shrinking of the volume of the CoO4 tetrahedra. The combination of DFT calculation and diffraction revealed that deuterium/hydrogen ions (Di•/Hi•), introduced during the synthesis by the nitrate precursor balanced the VCo1″. Finally, DFT calculations revealed that (Di•/Hi•) in Co3O4 forms hydroxyl groups. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Inorganic Solid-State Chemistry 2025)
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Review

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18 pages, 2670 KB  
Review
Accelerated Discovery of Energy Materials via Graph Neural Network
by Zhenwen Sheng, Hui Zhu, Bo Shao, Yu He, Zhuang Liu, Suqin Wang and Ming Sheng
Inorganics 2025, 13(12), 395; https://doi.org/10.3390/inorganics13120395 - 29 Nov 2025
Viewed by 1033
Abstract
Graph neural networks (GNNs) have rapidly matured into a unifying, end-to-end framework for energy-materials discovery. By operating directly on atomistic graphs, modern angle-aware and equivariant architectures achieve formation-energy errors near 10 meV atom−1, sub-0.1 V voltage predictions, and quantum-level force fidelity—enabling [...] Read more.
Graph neural networks (GNNs) have rapidly matured into a unifying, end-to-end framework for energy-materials discovery. By operating directly on atomistic graphs, modern angle-aware and equivariant architectures achieve formation-energy errors near 10 meV atom−1, sub-0.1 V voltage predictions, and quantum-level force fidelity—enabling nanosecond molecular dynamics at classical cost. In this review, we provide an overview of the basic principles of GNNs, widely used datasets, and state-of-the-art architectures, including multi-GPU training, calibrated ensembles, and multimodal fusion with large language models, followed by a discussion of a wide range of recent applications of GNNs in the rapid screening of battery electrodes, solid electrolytes, perovskites, thermoelectrics, and heterogeneous catalysts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Inorganic Solid-State Chemistry 2025)
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40 pages, 15076 KB  
Review
Recent Advances in Formaldehyde Catalytic Oxidation Catalysts
by Gaoxin Sun, Yike Gao, Xue Luo, Linshui Lian, Jing He, Shuwen Xie, Jiayi Su, Tiancheng Liu and Leilei Xu
Inorganics 2025, 13(11), 345; https://doi.org/10.3390/inorganics13110345 - 23 Oct 2025
Viewed by 1147
Abstract
Formaldehyde (HCHO), a colorless gas, is currently a toxic gas that seriously endangers human health and the environment. To effectively remove formaldehyde, catalytic oxidation is considered to be the most promising, widely studied, and applied method. This method utilizes a catalyst to promote [...] Read more.
Formaldehyde (HCHO), a colorless gas, is currently a toxic gas that seriously endangers human health and the environment. To effectively remove formaldehyde, catalytic oxidation is considered to be the most promising, widely studied, and applied method. This method utilizes a catalyst to promote the reaction of HCHO with O2, converting it into harmless CO2 and H2O. In recent years, researchers have developed various catalysts, including noble metal catalysts (such as Pt, Pd) and transition-metal catalysts (such as Co3O4, MnO2), to improve the efficiency of formaldehyde oxidation. In experimental studies, by optimizing the composition, structure, and reaction conditions of the catalyst, the conversion rate and selectivity of formaldehyde can be significantly increased. This article reviews the current research status of noble metal catalysts and transition metal catalysts in the field of formaldehyde catalytic oxidation, discusses the main factors affecting the efficiency of formaldehyde catalytic oxidation in experimental studies, and finally explores the overall reaction mechanism of formaldehyde catalytic oxidation. In summary, formaldehyde catalytic oxidation technology has broad application prospects in indoor air purification, industrial waste gas treatment, etc. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Inorganic Solid-State Chemistry 2025)
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18 pages, 6689 KB  
Review
Classification, Functions, Development and Outlook of Photoanode Block Layer for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells
by Youqing Wang, Wenxuan Wu and Peiling Ren
Inorganics 2025, 13(4), 103; https://doi.org/10.3390/inorganics13040103 - 27 Mar 2025
Viewed by 1151
Abstract
The block layer situated between the active material and electrode in photoelectrochemical devices serves as a critical component for performance enhancement. Using dye-sensitized solar cells as a representative model, this review systematically examines the strategic positioning and material selection criteria of block layers [...] Read more.
The block layer situated between the active material and electrode in photoelectrochemical devices serves as a critical component for performance enhancement. Using dye-sensitized solar cells as a representative model, this review systematically examines the strategic positioning and material selection criteria of block layers following a concise discussion of their fundamental mechanisms. We categorize block layer architectures into three distinct configurations: single layer, doped layer, and multilayer structures. The electron generation and transport mechanisms to photoelectrodes are analyzed through structural design variations across these configurations. Through representative literature examples, we demonstrate the correlation between material properties and photoconversion efficiency, accompanied by comprehensive performance comparisons. In the single-layer section, we comparatively evaluate the merits and limitations of TiO2- and ZnO-based block layers. The doped layer discussion traces the evolutionary trajectory from single-dopant systems to co-doping strategies. For multilayer architectures, we elaborate on the flexibility of its functional regulation. Finally, we present a forward-looking perspective on the hot issues that need to be urgently addressed in photoelectrochemical device block layers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Inorganic Solid-State Chemistry 2025)
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