Advances in Catalytic Materials and Their Applications
A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Catalytic Materials".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 October 2025 | Viewed by 2970
Special Issue Editor
Interests: biomass conversion; electrocatalysis; carbon materials; 3D printing; X-ray absorption fine structure
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The depletion of fossil resources has intensified the need for sustainable alternatives, particularly in converting renewable biomass into high-value chemicals. This Special Issue aims to explore advanced methodologies and catalyst systems for the selective conversion of biomass into valuable chemicals, such as ethylene glycol, 1,2-propanediol, and isosorbide, as well as innovations in direct seawater electrolysis for hydrogen production.
Historically, the production of ethylene glycol and 1,2-propanediol relied heavily on petrochemical processes, which are unsustainable and environmentally taxing. Early research into biomass conversion showed mixed results due to low selectivity and efficiency. Recent advancements have highlighted the potential of using catalysts containing alkali metals, tungsten, tin, and other transition metals to optimize the conversion process, improving both yield and selectivity. For isosorbide production, research has focused on optimizing catalysts and reaction conditions to improve the overall efficiency and sustainability of cellulose conversion.
In addition, direct seawater electrolysis has emerged as a promising technology for hydrogen production within the carbon-neutral energy framework. This method does not compete with the increasing demand for pure water and utilizes renewable resources such as solar, tidal, and wind energy. However, the development of high-selectivity, high-efficiency, and corrosion-resistant multifunctional electrocatalysts remains a significant challenge.
This Special Issue aims to provide a comprehensive review of these topics, including the selective regulation of ethylene glycol and 1,2-propanediol production using glycerol and cellulose, and the conversion of cellulose to isosorbide. It also covers advancements in direct seawater electrolysis for hydrogen production, focusing on electrocatalyst development and process optimization. This Special Issue aims to offer valuable insights and guidance for future research in sustainable biomass conversion and hydrogen production, contributing to the development of eco-friendly and efficient processes.
Dr. Ying Yang
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. Materials is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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 2600 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
- biomass conversion
- ethylene glycol
- 1,2-propanediol
- isosorbide
- catalysts
- reaction pathways
- selective regulation
- sustainable processes
- renewable resources
- direct seawater electrolysis
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
- Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
- 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.
