Development of Functional Nanomaterials for Chemical Engineering
A special issue of Nanomaterials (ISSN 2079-4991). This special issue belongs to the section "Synthesis, Interfaces and Nanostructures".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2026 | Viewed by 15
Special Issue Editor
Interests: peptide molecular design; self-assembly of biofunctional materials; pollutant water treatment; solution and interface aggregation behaviors of surfactant molecules; organic/inorganic composite materials
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The integration of functional nanomaterials redefines the core principles and capabilities of chemical engineering, enabling unprecedented control over processes at the molecular and microscopic levels. A quintessential example is the use of nanostructured catalysts, where size, shape, and surface engineering directly dictate activity and selectivity. Beyond catalysis, the tailored design of nanomaterials—such as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) for selective separation, nanocomposites for enhanced membranes, or nano-structured electrodes for electrochemical systems—demonstrates how functionality can be precisely engineered to address core challenges in reaction engineering, transport phenomena, and process intensification.
This Special Issue, titled “Development of Functional Nanomaterials for Chemical Engineering,” aims to capture the breadth and depth of this dynamic interdisciplinary field. It seeks to highlight advances in the rational design, synthesis, characterization and, crucially, the integration and application of functional nanomaterials within chemical engineering systems. We are particularly interested in contributions that bridge fundamental material innovation with practical engineering applicability, focusing on how nanoscale properties translate to macroscale process performance, sustainability, and economic viability.
The scope of this issue is intentionally broad to reflect the diverse impact of nanomaterials across the discipline. Relevant topics include, but are not limited to:
- Design and Synthesis: Controlled fabrication, green synthesis, and scalable production of nanomaterials (e.g., nanoparticles, nanofibers, 2D materials, porous networks) for targeted engineering applications.
- Catalysis: Nanostructured catalysts for thermo-, electro-, or photocatalysis; catalyst stability, regeneration, and studies under realistic process conditions.
- Separation and Purification: Functional nanomaterials in membranes, adsorbents, and sorbents for gas separation, water treatment, and chemical purification.
- Process Intensification: Nanomaterials in structured reactors, catalytic coatings, and hybrid systems that enhance heat/mass transfer, reaction rates, and energy efficiency.
- Functional Interfaces and Coatings: Nano-engineered surfaces for anti-fouling, corrosion resistance, sensing, or tailored wettability in industrial equipment.
- Energy Applications: Nanomaterials for energy storage (batteries, supercapacitors), conversion (fuel cells, solar cells), and chemical energy carriers (e.g., hydrogen storage, CO2 conversion).
We invite original research articles, communications, and comprehensive reviews that offer novel insights or critical perspectives. Contributions that demonstrate a clear connection between nanomaterial functionality and a chemical engineering process outcome are especially welcome.
Prof. Dr. Meiwen Cao
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 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. Nanomaterials 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 2400 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
- functional nanomaterials
- controlled synthesis
- heterogeneous catalysis
- metal ion separation
- process intensification
- structure–property relationship
- energy applications
- interfaces and coatings
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