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Inorganics
Special Issues
Novel Ceramics and Refractory Composites
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Novel Ceramics and Refractory Composites

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2026 | Viewed by 5980

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Jesús Fernando López-Perales

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Facultad de Ingeniería Mecánica y Eléctrica (FIME), Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León (UANL), San Nicolás de los Garza 66450, Mexico
Interests: advanced ceramics; refractory materials; nanostructured materials; materials engineering; synthesis of new composite materials
Dr. Leonel Díaz Tato

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor Assistant
Facultad de Ingeniería Mecánica y Eléctrica, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León (UANL), C.P. 66455, San Nicolás de los Garza, Nuevo León, México
Interests: ceramics; refractory materials; advanced ceramics; cement industry
Dr. Sinuhe Uriel Costilla Aguilar

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor Assistant
Facultad de Ingeniería Mecánica y Eléctrica, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León (UANL), C.P. 66455, San Nicolás de los Garza, Nuevo León, México
Interests: materials chemistry; materials engineering; solid-state chemistry; inorganic chemistry

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Novel ceramics and refractory composites, including oxide and non-oxide ceramics, ultra-high temperature ceramics (UHTCs), functional ceramics, ceramic matrix composites (CMCs), metal matrix refractory composites, and/or ultra-high temperature composites, exhibit outstanding properties that make them highly attractive for a wide range of applications such as turbine blades, sensors, biomedical implants, gasifier linings, heat exchangers, superconducting devices, and more.

This Special Issue focuses on recent advances in the development, processing, and characterization of high-performance ceramic and refractory composites designed for extreme environments. Emphasis is placed on innovative compositions and manufacturing routes that enhance thermal stability, corrosion resistance, and mechanical reliability in metallurgical, cement, aerospace, and/or energy applications.

Contributions exploring nanostructured additives, optimized sintering strategies, and advanced forming techniques such as additive manufacturing are particularly encouraged. Studies combining experimental investigations with computational modeling or data-driven approaches to predict and optimize microstructure–property relationships are also welcome.

The Special Issue aims to provide a platform for researchers and industry professionals to share new insights that support the design of sustainable, energy-efficient, and long-life refractory systems. Both original research articles and comprehensive reviews addressing synthesis, performance evaluation, degradation mechanisms, and recycling strategies of novel ceramics and composites are invited.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Jesús Fernando López-Perales
Guest Editor

Dr. Leonel Díaz Tato
Dr. Sinuhe Uriel Costilla Aguilar
Guest Editor Assistants

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

  • advanced ceramics
  • refractory composites
  • ultra-high temperature ceramics
  • nanostructured ceramics
  • additively man-ufactured ceramics
  • multifunctional composites
  • microstructure-property relationship
  • thermal performance
  • sustainable processing
  • smart refractories
  • machine learning
  • computational modeling
  • simulation-based design

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

Jump to: Review

14 pages, 2377 KB  
Article
Low-Temperature Synthesis of TaxHf1−xC Solid Solutions via Pectin Gelation: Phase and Morphological Evolution
by Aimé L. Acosta-Soto, Laura G. Ceballos-Mendívil, Jonathan C. Luque-Ceballos, Rody Soto-Rojo, Francisco Baldenebro-López, Adriana Cruz-Enríquez, José J. Campos-Gaxiola, Carlos A. Pérez-Rábago and Jesús Baldenebro-López
Inorganics 2026, 14(5), 139; https://doi.org/10.3390/inorganics14050139 - 16 May 2026
Viewed by 401
Abstract
Ultra-high-temperature ceramics (UHTCs) in the Ta–Hf–C ternary system are of significant interest for extreme aerospace and energy applications due to their melting points near 4000 °C. However, their synthesis typically requires extreme temperatures and pressures. This study reports a pectin-assisted low-temperature route for [...] Read more.
Ultra-high-temperature ceramics (UHTCs) in the Ta–Hf–C ternary system are of significant interest for extreme aerospace and energy applications due to their melting points near 4000 °C. However, their synthesis typically requires extreme temperatures and pressures. This study reports a pectin-assisted low-temperature route for Ta-rich TaxHf1−xC powder synthesis via carbothermal reduction at 1500 °C. The effect of Ta/Hf molar ratios (2.7/1, 0.9/1, and 0.3/1) on phase evolution, crystallinity, and morphology was systematically investigated. FTIR confirmed the successful formation of homogeneous hybrid organic–inorganic precursors through the chelation of metal ions with pectin functional groups. XRD results demonstrated that the Ta-rich composition (Ta/Hf = 2.7/1) promotes the formation of a high-purity (95.87%) cubic solid solution (lattice parameter a = 4.453 Å) with sharp reflections and improved crystallinity. In contrast, Hf-rich samples exhibited incomplete conversion, leaving unreacted HfO2 and Ta2Hf6O17 oxide phases due to the high thermodynamic stability of hafnia. Microstructural analysis revealed quasi-spherical TaxHf1−xC particles with an average size of approximately 123 nm, together with finer residual oxide particles of about 50 nm. Overall, these results demonstrate that pectin-assisted precursor chemistry is an effective strategy for promoting low-temperature carbide formation in Ta-rich TaxHf1−xC compositions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Ceramics and Refractory Composites)
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17 pages, 1706 KB  
Article
Electrochemical Properties and Rate-Limiting Processes in Nd2NiO4+δ Cathode for Intermediate-Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cells
by Sinuhe U. Costilla-Aguilar, M. J. Escudero-Berzal, J. F. López-Perales, Edén A. Rodríguez, Daniel Arturo Acuña Leal, A. Torres-Castro and R. F. Cienfuegos-Pelaes
Inorganics 2026, 14(4), 96; https://doi.org/10.3390/inorganics14040096 - 29 Mar 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1168
Abstract
Nd2NiO4+δ was investigated as a Ruddlesden–Popper (RP) cathode material for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs), with particular emphasis on its electrochemical performance and oxygen reduction reaction mechanism. The material was synthesized via a polymeric sol–gel route derived from Pechini’s [...] Read more.
Nd2NiO4+δ was investigated as a Ruddlesden–Popper (RP) cathode material for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs), with particular emphasis on its electrochemical performance and oxygen reduction reaction mechanism. The material was synthesized via a polymeric sol–gel route derived from Pechini’s method and evaluated in symmetric cells using Ce0.9Gd0.1O2−δ (GDC) as the electrolyte. X-ray diffraction confirmed the formation of a single RP phase and good chemical compatibility with GDC after thermal treatments at 800 °C. Cathode layers with thicknesses of 8–12 µm were deposited by dip-coating. Electrical conductivity measurements revealed a thermally activated semiconducting behavior governed by Ni2+/Ni3+ small-polaron hopping, with an activation energy of ~1.08 eV. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy showed a strong temperature dependence of the area-specific resistance, decreasing from 9.18 Ω·cm2 at 600 °C to 0.39 Ω·cm2 at 800 °C. Distribution of relaxation times (DRT) analysis enabled the identification of the dominant electrochemical processes, indicating that oxygen surface exchange reactions are more favorable than charge transfer at the cathode–electrolyte interface, which remains the main limiting step. These results demonstrate that Nd2NiO4+δ is a promising cathode for IT-SOFC operation, while further optimization of the electrode–electrolyte interface is required to enhance its oxygen reduction kinetics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Ceramics and Refractory Composites)
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20 pages, 2802 KB  
Communication
Solar-Activated Self-Cleaning Calcium Sulfoaluminate Cement Modified with Blast Furnace Slag and TiO2
by Edith Luévano-Hipólito, Tomas Osvaldo Espinosa-Nieves, Lucio Guillermo López-Yepez, Edén Amaral Rodríguez-Castellanos and Francisco Javier Vázquez-Rodríguez
Inorganics 2026, 14(4), 94; https://doi.org/10.3390/inorganics14040094 - 27 Mar 2026
Viewed by 557
Abstract
The development of cementitious materials with multifunctional performance is increasingly important to address environmental demands and durability requirements in modern infrastructure. This study investigates calcium sulfoaluminate (CSA) cement partially substituted with blast furnace slag (BFS), fly ash (FA), and TiO2 nanoparticles, aiming [...] Read more.
The development of cementitious materials with multifunctional performance is increasingly important to address environmental demands and durability requirements in modern infrastructure. This study investigates calcium sulfoaluminate (CSA) cement partially substituted with blast furnace slag (BFS), fly ash (FA), and TiO2 nanoparticles, aiming to combine sustainability with photocatalytic self-cleaning functionality. Phase analysis by X-ray diffraction confirmed the formation of characteristic CSA hydration products, including ettringite, ye’elimite, anhydrite, and calcite, indicating that partial substitution did not disrupt the primary hydration mechanisms. Microstructural observations revealed that the incorporation of BFS, FA, and TiO2 induced noticeable morphological changes, with increased porosity and microstructural heterogeneity at higher replacement levels. Mechanical testing showed that moderate BFS contents of 5 to 10 wt% enhanced compressive strength in reference mixtures, while systems containing TiO2 exhibited slightly lower strength values and increased dispersion, particularly at elevated slag contents. The photocatalytic performance, evaluated through Rhodamine B degradation under solar irradiation, demonstrated a marked improvement for TiO2-containing samples, reaching degradation efficiencies of up to 80%, in contrast to negligible activity in unmodified systems. These results confirm that the combined use of industrial by-products and photocatalytic nanoparticles in CSA-based matrices represents a viable strategy for producing sustainable cementitious materials with added environmental functionality, without compromising fundamental structural performance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Ceramics and Refractory Composites)
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13 pages, 2883 KB  
Article
Facile Synthesis of High-Purity Nanostructured Hafnium Carbide via Pectin-Assisted Carbothermal Reduction: Structural Evolution and Morphological Insight
by Laura G. Ceballos-Mendívil, Eric Manzanarez-Salazar, Jonathan C. Luque-Ceballos, Rody Soto-Rojo, Francisco Baldenebro-López, Adriana Cruz-Enríquez and Jesús Baldenebro-López
Inorganics 2026, 14(4), 92; https://doi.org/10.3390/inorganics14040092 - 26 Mar 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 713
Abstract
Hafnium carbide (HfC) ceramics are of growing interest due to their exceptional mechanical properties and ultra-high melting points, making them ideal for extreme environmental applications. In this study, we present a synthesis route for HfC nanoparticles via carbothermal reduction of an organic–inorganic hybrid [...] Read more.
Hafnium carbide (HfC) ceramics are of growing interest due to their exceptional mechanical properties and ultra-high melting points, making them ideal for extreme environmental applications. In this study, we present a synthesis route for HfC nanoparticles via carbothermal reduction of an organic–inorganic hybrid precursor derived from hafnium tetrachloride (HfCl4) and pectin, followed by thermal treatment at 1500 °C for 1.5 h under an argon atmosphere. According to TGA/DSC analysis of the hybrid precursor, hafnia phases initially formed during pyrolysis and were subsequently converted into HfC at 1500 °C, with the endothermic carbothermal reduction reaction initiating near 1200 °C. Comprehensive characterization using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis/differential scanning calorimetry (TGA/DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD) with Rietveld refinement, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) confirmed the synthesis of hafnium carbide (HfC) exhibiting predominantly cubic morphology. XRD analysis determined a lattice parameter of a = 4.63 Å and an interplanar spacing of d = 2.68 Å. Rietveld refinement revealed a phase composition of 98.08% HfC and 1.92% monoclinic hafnium dioxide (m-HfO2). Debye–Scherrer analysis indicated an average crystallite size of 67.6 nm. SEM and TEM images showed uniformly distributed nanoparticles with an average particle size of approximately 65–70 nm. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Ceramics and Refractory Composites)
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11 pages, 1740 KB  
Article
Obtaining Titanium Dioxide from Magnesium Titanates—Products of Pyrometallurgical Processing of Oil Sandstones
by Evgenii Kuzin
Inorganics 2026, 14(1), 22; https://doi.org/10.3390/inorganics14010022 - 5 Jan 2026
Viewed by 769
Abstract
Titanium compounds are an integral component for paint pigments, food additives (E171), catalysts, precursors for resistant structural materials, medicine, and water, and air purification and disinfection processes. A new and rather promising trend for titanium dioxide production is obtaining it from minerals with [...] Read more.
Titanium compounds are an integral component for paint pigments, food additives (E171), catalysts, precursors for resistant structural materials, medicine, and water, and air purification and disinfection processes. A new and rather promising trend for titanium dioxide production is obtaining it from minerals with magnesium titanium structure. Magnesium titanates obtained by pyrometallurgical processing of quartz–leucoxene concentrate (oil sandstones). It was found that the optimal pyrometallurgical processing conditions were 4 h and a temperature of 1425–1450 °C, with TiO2 → MgXTiYOZ conversion exceeding 95%, and that sulfation of the magnesium titanate mixture with 60–70% H2SO4 for 150–210 min allows a 95% extraction of titanium compounds into solution. Investigation of the mechanism of titanium compound precipitation from Mg-Ti-containing sulfuric acid solutions revealed that in the pH range from 3 to 6, only titanium compounds were extracted from solution, while coprecipitation of magnesium compounds begins only at pH above 6.5. The product obtained by precipitation is titanium dioxide with an anatase structure, with particle distribution ranging from 0.8 to 5.0 µm and a developed surface area over 250 m2/g with mesopores characteristic of sorption materials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Ceramics and Refractory Composites)
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Review

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38 pages, 24690 KB  
Review
Glass-Ceramic Bonding Agents for High-Performance Grinding: A Material Design Framework Based on Multi-System Comparisons
by Yufei Li, Le Tian, Longyao Xu, Mingmin Li, Huaying Bian, Xuetao Wang and Shuanghua Wang
Inorganics 2026, 14(4), 116; https://doi.org/10.3390/inorganics14040116 - 20 Apr 2026
Viewed by 1453
Abstract
This review systematically analyzes the technological progress, structural characteristics, and performance disparities among various diamond grinding wheel bond systems, aiming to establish a unified performance evaluation framework. This framework clarifies material selection criteria and highlights promising research directions. Eight prevalent bond systems are [...] Read more.
This review systematically analyzes the technological progress, structural characteristics, and performance disparities among various diamond grinding wheel bond systems, aiming to establish a unified performance evaluation framework. This framework clarifies material selection criteria and highlights promising research directions. Eight prevalent bond systems are encompassed: resin, metal, ceramic, brazing, electroplating, composite, additive manufacturing, and glass-ceramics. A comparative analysis of these systems is conducted across multiple dimensions. Key evaluation metrics primarily include bond strength, thermal stability, self-sharpening capability, thermal conductivity, and formability. Considerable variations in these indicators are observed across the different bonding agents. Each system presents distinct advantages alongside inherent limitations. Within the constructed multi-metric framework, glass-ceramic bonding agents demonstrate high comprehensive potential in critical aspects such as bond strength and thermal stability, underscoring their research value as a novel high-performance bond system. Current primary challenges focus on the regulation of crystallization kinetics, the design of interfacial reaction layers, and multiscale performance prediction. Future research may advance along several paths. Synergistic design of material composition and microstructure is essential, while in-depth investigation into multiphysics coupling mechanisms remains necessary. Furthermore, data-driven material optimization methods are poised to unlock new possibilities for bond development. These approaches are expected to facilitate the precise design and application of high-performance diamond grinding wheel bonds. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Ceramics and Refractory Composites)
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