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30th Anniversary of Molecules—Recent Advances in Materials Chemistry

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A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Materials Chemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2026 | Viewed by 4851

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Giuseppe Cirillo

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Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy
Interests: nanomaterials; biomaterials; carbon nanostructures; composite and hybrid materials; biomedical applications of functional materials; therapeutic devices; surface chemistry
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Prof. Dr. Dimitrios Gournis

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School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Crete (TUC), GR-73100 Chania, Crete, Greece
Interests: catalysis; nanomaterials and nanotechnology; chemistry of phyllomorphous (2D) materials (in particular inorganic layered structures, clay-based materials (clays, pillared clays, organo-clays, LDHs), carbon layered structures, TMDs, germanane etc.); carbon nanostructures (carbon nanotubes, fullerenes, graphene, graphite oxide, carbon dots, molecular diamonds); hybrid organic–inorganic nanocomposites; mesoporous materials; metallic (magnetic or semiconducting) nanoparticles and biocatalysts
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Prof. Dr. Mu-Ping Nieh

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Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Connecticut, 97 North Eagleville Road, Unit 3136, Storrs, CT 06269-3136, USA
Interests: biomembranes; well-defined lipid nanoparticles; self-sssembly; nanostructural charatcerization (scattering); therapeutic/diagnostic nanocarriers; lipid transfer; polymer/lipid and inorganic nanoparticle/lipid interactions
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The year 2026 will be the 30th anniversary of Molecules. In order to celebrate this exciting event, we set up a Special Issue, "30th Anniversary of Molecules—Recent Advances in Materials Chemistry", to publish cutting-edge work in our Section. In this Special Issue, we invite contributions, either as original research or review articles, on recent advances in the field of materials chemistry in order to underline the impact of materials chemistry on the multidisciplinary context of modern research.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

New synthetic approaches for the preparation of organic and inorganic materials.
The development of characterization procedures with which to evaluate the properties of innovative materials.
Impact of materials chemistry on chemistry, physics, engineering, and biomedicine.
The discovery of new tailored or unexpected properties of materials.

Dr. Giuseppe Cirillo
Prof. Dr. Dimitrios Gournis
Prof. Dr. Mu-Ping Nieh
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 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. Molecules 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 2700 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

materials chemistry
synthetic procedures
characterization procedures
nanomaterials and nanocomposites
biologically oriented materials and biomaterials
materials of natural origin
hybrid composites
mechanical properties
long-term durability

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Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

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21 pages, 6970 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Physical Stability and Molecular Mobility of Resveratrol in a Polyvinylpyrrolidone Matrix

by Aleksandra Pajzderska, Miguel Angel González, Marcin Jarek, Jadwiga Mielcarek and Jan Wąsicki

Molecules 2025, 30(9), 1909; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30091909 - 25 Apr 2025

Viewed by 167

Abstract

The physical stability, molecular mobility, and appearance of nanocrystalline resveratrol in a polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) matrix were investigated. Two formulations with resveratrol loadings of 30% and 50% were prepared and characterized using powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and time-domain nuclear magnetic resonance (TD-NMR). Samples were studied over time (up to 300 days post-preparation), across temperatures (80–300 K), and under varying humidity conditions (0% and 75% relative humidity). The results demonstrate that the 30% resveratrol–PVP sample is a homogeneous amorphous solid dispersion (ASD), while the 50% resveratrol–PVP sample contained resveratrol nanocrystals measuring about 40 nm. NMR measurements and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations revealed that incorporation of resveratrol into the polymer matrix modifies the system’s dynamics and mobility compared to the pure PVP polymer. Additionally, MD simulations analyzed the hydrogen bonding network within the system, providing insights for a better understanding of the physical stability of the ASD under different conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 30th Anniversary of Molecules—Recent Advances in Materials Chemistry)

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22 pages, 4739 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Visible Light Active Natural Rutile Photocatalyst Obtained via Nano Milling

by Kata Saszet, Enikő Eszter Almási, Ádám Rácz, Katalin Bohács, Milica Todea, Klára Hernádi, Zsolt Pap and Lucian Baia

Molecules 2025, 30(7), 1600; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30071600 - 3 Apr 2025

Viewed by 391

Abstract

Natural rutile is a widely available titanium mineral which shows great potential as a photocatalyst for environmental remediation when processed correctly. Industries invest large sums in the transformation of the rutile mineral into pure, synthetic nano titania. Still, the present study proves that bare natural rutile with trace element content can also be applied as a photocatalyst, without harsh chemical interventions, simply by processing via nano grinding. Samples with different mean primary particle size values were obtained by wet stirred media milling, their compositional and structural properties were investigated, and their photocatalytic properties were evaluated under both visible- and UV-light illumination for the degradation of phenol and ibuprofen. By changing the grain size and the particle size distribution, and due to the doping effect of impurities present in the mineral, the band gap values of the samples and their photocatalytic activities changed as well. The nano milled rutile exhibited visible light photocatalytic activity, with a 33% degradation efficiency in the case of both phenol and ibuprofen, after 22 h of irradiation. The present study not only highlights the photocatalytic degradation of a pharmaceutical by natural rutile mineral, but its findings also suggest that ground nano rutile can function as an environmentally friendly photocatalyst, as it not only avoids the use of harmful chemicals typically employed in TiO₂ synthesis but also offers a simpler, more cost-effective alternative for producing photocatalytic materials. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 30th Anniversary of Molecules—Recent Advances in Materials Chemistry)

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12 pages, 4749 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Gradient Structure Construction of High Thermal Conductivity Polyurethane/Boron Nitride Composite Fiber Membrane for Thermal Management

by Zhengyang Miao, Jingwei Li, Yidan Liu and Fang Jiang

Molecules 2025, 30(7), 1449; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30071449 - 25 Mar 2025

Viewed by 311

Abstract

Accompanied by the rapid progress of the digital era and the continuous innovation of material science and technology, wearable electronic devices are widely used in various industries due to their excellent portability and flexibility. However, the problem of heat accumulation not only restricts the use of electronic devices but also poses potential safety risks for users. Therefore, there is an urgent need to study and develop thermal management materials applied to wearable devices to meet the demands of highly integrated wearable electronic systems. In this study, we report a method of combining functional boron nitride (FBN) and polyurethane (PU) through electrostatic spinning technology and gradient structure design, which ultimately results in multilayer structured FBN/PU composite fiber membranes with excellent thermal conductivity (2.96 W·m⁻¹·K⁻¹) and mechanical properties (The tensile strength, Young’s modulus, and toughness were up to 12.03 MPa, 86.37 MPa and 15.02 MJ·m⁻³, respectively). The gradient structure design significantly improves the thermal conductivity and mechanical properties of the composite fiber membrane. The multilayer structured composite fiber membrane has high thermal conductivity and high mechanical properties and has potential application and development prospects in the thermal management of wearable electronic devices. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 30th Anniversary of Molecules—Recent Advances in Materials Chemistry)

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15 pages, 9377 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Composition–Structure Relationship and the Formation of Fly Ash Skeletal-Dendritic Ferrospheres

by Natalia N. Anshits, Elena V. Fomenko, Nadezhda P. Kirik and Alexander G. Anshits

Molecules 2025, 30(7), 1442; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30071442 - 24 Mar 2025

Viewed by 241

Abstract

Ferrospheres (FSs) are a microspherical component of fly ash from pulverized coal combustion. The wide variations in chemical and phase composition, morphology, and the spherical design of FSs suggest their use as functional materials capable of replacing expensive synthesized materials. A general understanding of the formation of FSs from thermochemical transformations of the mineral components of the original coal is important for identifying the most promising sources of FSs with a high content of a certain morphological type active in a specific process. A systematic SEM-EDS study of the composition–structure relationship of the skeletal-dendritic FSs isolated from fly ash has revealed common routes of their formation. These FSs are formed as a result of thermochemical transformations of iron-containing minerals with the participation of aluminosilicates of the original coals. The aluminosilicate precursor that determines the skeletal-dendritic structure is illite. The crystallization of skeletal-dendritic globules occurs due to the “seed” of Al, Mg-ferrospinel formed from the thermochemical transformation of illite. The general trend of change in the structure of globules from a coarse skeletal to a fine dendritic structure is associated with a decrease in the main spinel-forming oxides content and an increase in the silicate melt viscosity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 30th Anniversary of Molecules—Recent Advances in Materials Chemistry)

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18 pages, 3039 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Nanoscale “Chessboard” Pattern Lamellae in a Supramolecular Perylene-Diimide Polydiacetylene System

by Ian J. Martin, Francis Kiranka Masese, Kuo-Chih Shih, Mu-Ping Nieh and Rajeswari M. Kasi

Molecules 2025, 30(6), 1207; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30061207 - 7 Mar 2025

Viewed by 569

Abstract

The rational design of ordered chromogenic supramolecular polymeric systems is critical for the advancement of next-generation stimuli-responsive, optical, and semiconducting materials. Previously, we reported the design of a stimuli-responsive, lamellar self-assembled platform composed of an imidazole-appended perylene diimide of varying methylene spacer length (n = 3, 4, and 6) and a commercially available diacid-functionalized diacetylene monomer, 10, 12 docosadiynedioic acid, in a 1:1 molar ratio. Herein, we expound on the importance of the composition of the imidazole-appended perylene diimide of varying methylene spacer length (n = 3, 4, and 6) and 10, 12 docosadiynedioic acid in the ratio of 2:1 to the supramolecular self-assembly, final morphology, and properties. Topochemical polymerization of the drop-cast films by UV radiation yielded blue-phase polydiacetylene formation, and subsequent thermal treatment of the films produced a thermoresponsive blue-to-red phase transformation. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) studies revealed a dual dependence of the methylene spacer length and stimuli treatment (UV and/or heat) on the thermal transitions of the films. Furthermore, small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) showed well-defined hierarchical semiconducting nanostructures with interconnected “chessboard”-patterned lamellar stacking. Upon doping with an ionic liquid, the 2:1 platform showed higher ionic conductivity than the previous 1:1 one. The results presented here illustrate the importance of the composition and architecture to the ionic domain connectivity and ionic conductivity, which will have far-reaching implications for the rational design of semiconducting polymers for energy applications including fuel cells, batteries, ion-exchange membranes, and mixed ionic conductors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 30th Anniversary of Molecules—Recent Advances in Materials Chemistry)

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16 pages, 1777 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Cloud Point Behavior of Poly(trifluoroethyl methacrylate) in Supercritical CO₂–Toluene Mixtures

by James R. Zelaya and Gary C. Tepper

Molecules 2025, 30(6), 1199; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30061199 - 7 Mar 2025

Viewed by 600

Abstract

Supercritical CO₂ (scCO₂) is a versatile solvent for polymer processing; however, many partially fluorinated polymers exhibit limited solubility in neat scCO₂. Organic cosolvents such as toluene can enhance polymer–solvent interactions, thereby improving solubility. The cloud point behavior of poly(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl methacrylate) (poly(TFEMA)) at 3 wt% concentration in scCO₂–toluene binary mixtures was investigated over a temperature range of 31.5–50 °C and toluene contents of 0–20 wt%. Solvent mixture densities were estimated using the Altuin–Gadetskii–Haar–Gallagher–Kell (AG–HGK) equation of state for CO₂ and the Tait equation for toluene. For all compositions, the cloud point pressure was observed to increase linearly with temperature. The cloud point pressure decreased monotonically with increasing toluene concentration and at the highest concentration of 20 wt% was reduced by approximately 40% in comparison to neat scCO₂. The addition of toluene lowered the solvent density, but the increase in solvent–solute molecular interactions resulted in the observed decrease in cloud point pressure. Toluene is shown to be an effective cosolvent for dissolving poly(TFEMA) in scCO₂, offering a promising approach to lowering operating pressures in fluoropolymer processing. Our results provide valuable phase behavior data for designing scCO₂-based extraction, impregnation, and particle formation processes involving poly(TFEMA). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 30th Anniversary of Molecules—Recent Advances in Materials Chemistry)

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19 pages, 5010 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Carbonation and Phase Evolution in MgO-SiO₂ Cements: Impact on Strength

by Gonzalo Mármol, Ana Fernández-Jiménez, María-Teresa Blanco-Varela and Inés García-Lodeiro

Molecules 2025, 30(5), 1072; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30051072 - 26 Feb 2025

Viewed by 523

Abstract

Magnesium silicate hydrate (M-S-H) binders, synthesized from magnesia and silica, exhibit promising mechanical and thermal properties but face challenges in early strength development due to delayed kinetics and limited MgO solubility. This study investigates the impact of early exposure to CO₂-saturated atmospheres on MgO-SiO₂ cementitious systems, emphasizing the role of carbonation in phase evolution and mechanical performance. Early carbonation promotes the formation of hydrated magnesium hydroxycarbonates (HMHC), altering hydration pathways and reducing M-S-H gel content. Key analyses, including XRD, TGA, SEM-EDS, and FTIR, reveal that higher carbonation levels correlate with reduced Mg(OH)₂ stability at early ages, an enhanced precipitation of HMHC phases, and significant effects on mineralogy and strength. Results underscore the influence of formulation, water-to-cement ratio, and early carbonation in optimizing strength and phase development, providing a pathway to more efficient MgO-SiO₂ cement systems with reduced reliance on reactive SiO₂. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 30th Anniversary of Molecules—Recent Advances in Materials Chemistry)

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Review

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25 pages, 3449 KiB

Open AccessReview

Overview of Recent Advances in Rare-Earth High-Entropy Oxides as Multifunctional Materials for Next-Gen Technology Applications

by Stjepan Šarić, Jelena Kojčinović, Dalibor Tatar and Igor Djerdj

Molecules 2025, 30(5), 1082; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30051082 - 27 Feb 2025

Viewed by 1650

Abstract

Rare-earth high-entropy oxides are a new promising class of multifunctional materials characterized by their ability to stabilize complex, multi-cationic compositions into single-phase structures through configurational entropy. This feature enables fine-tuning structural properties such as oxygen vacancies, lattice distortions, and defect chemistry, making them promising for advanced technological applications. While initial research primarily focused on their catalytic performance in energy and environmental applications, recent research demonstrated their potential in optoelectronics, photoluminescent materials, and aerospace technologies. Progress in synthesis techniques has provided control over particle morphology, composition, and defect engineering, enhancing their electronic, thermal, and mechanical properties. Rare-earth high-entropy oxides exhibit tunable bandgaps, exceptional thermal stability, and superior resistance to phase degradation, which positions them as next-generation materials. Despite these advances, challenges remain in scaling up production, optimizing compositions for specific applications, and understanding the fundamental mechanisms governing their multifunctionality. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the recent developments in rare-earth high-entropy oxides as relatively new and still underrated material of the future. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 30th Anniversary of Molecules—Recent Advances in Materials Chemistry)

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