Nanostructured and Multifunctional Solid Catalysts for Sustainable Chemical Processes

A special issue of Nanomaterials (ISSN 2079-4991). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental Nanoscience and Nanotechnology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2026 | Viewed by 6264

Special Issue Editors

Laboratory of Plasma Catalysis, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian 116026, China
Interests: gas pollution control; construction of functional nanocatalytic/photocatalytic materials; conversion of CO2 and CH4; plasma catalysis

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Guest Editor
Key Laboratory of Fluid Transmission Technology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China
Interests: plasma catalysis; surface engineering of nanomaterials; CH4 conversion; CO2 reduction

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In this Issue of Nanomaterials, we specifically examine the application of solid nanocatalysts in the fields of energy and environment, with a particular emphasis on their potential for degrading pollutant gases. As environmental pollution challenges intensify, the need for effective catalytic technologies has become increasingly critical. Various technologies present novel opportunities for the design and performance enhancement of nanocatalysts.

Nanostructured and multifunctional solid nanocatalysts significantly improve the efficiency and selectivity of chemical processes, resulting in superior performance in practical applications. For instance, plasma-assisted catalysis has demonstrated efficacy in the degradation of pollutant gases, including NOx and VOCs, thereby making substantial contributions to environmental protection.

In this special Section of our journal, we present innovative research findings from various research teams, encompassing a diverse array of topics such as plasma activation technology for nanocatalyst preparation, performance characterization, and its applications in energy conversion and environmental protection. These studies illustrate the versatility of technologies and their pivotal role in enhancing nanocatalyst performance. Through these contributions, readers will gain insights into the latest advancements in the domain of nanostructured and multifunctional solid catalysts, as well as their potential application for sustainable chemical processes.

We anticipate that this Special Issue will serve as a valuable resource for researchers and industry professionals, providing thought-provoking perspectives on the future of nanocatalytic technology. It is our hope that this journal will inspire greater engagement from researchers in the expansive field of plasma technology and catalysis, fostering collaboration toward the advancement of environmental remediation technologies.

Dr. Bin Zhu
Dr. Kai Li
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • heterogeneous catalysis
  • interface engineering
  • nanoparticles
  • metal-based nanomaterials
  • metal oxide for catalysts
  • conversion of CH4 and/or CO2
  • NH3 synthesis
  • hydrogen production
  • photocatalysis
  • plasma catalysis

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 6149 KB  
Article
Enhancing Visible-Light Photocatalytic Activity of AgCl Photocatalyst by CeO2 Modification for Degrading Multiple Organic Pollutants
by Li Xu, Ning Yang, Tong Xu, Yang Yang and Yanfei Lv
Nanomaterials 2025, 15(7), 537; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15070537 - 1 Apr 2025
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1534
Abstract
A new type of CeO2-modified AgCl catalyst (CeO2/AgCl) was prepared by a one-step method, which efficiently inhibits the recombination of photogenerated carriers. During the visible-light degradation process, this catalyst exhibited excellent and stable performance. It could not only effectively [...] Read more.
A new type of CeO2-modified AgCl catalyst (CeO2/AgCl) was prepared by a one-step method, which efficiently inhibits the recombination of photogenerated carriers. During the visible-light degradation process, this catalyst exhibited excellent and stable performance. It could not only effectively degrade rhodamine B (RhB), methyl orange (MO) and crystal violet (CV) but also maintain excellent activity under different environmental conditions. In the RhB degradation experiment in particular, the CeO2/AgCl-30 composite with the optimal proportion had a degradation rate 5.43 times that of pure AgCl in the seawater system and 9.17 times that of pure AgCl in the deionized water condition, while also showing excellent stability. Through characterization tests such as XRD, XPS and ESR, its crystal structure, elemental composition and so on were analyzed. Based on the characterization results, the CeO2/AgCl composite showed a relatively wide light absorption range and a relatively high photo-induced charge separation efficiency. Meanwhile, it was inferred that the main active species in the reaction process were ·O2⁻ and ·OH. Finally, based on its electronic band structure, an S-scheme heterojunction structure was proposed. Full article
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Review

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27 pages, 4967 KB  
Review
Ozone Synthesis Based on Dielectric Barrier Discharge Coupled Catalyst: Research Status and Future Perspectives
by Meng Li, Li Xu, Lei Wang, Wei Zhang, Yang Yang, Zhen Wang, Dapeng Wu and Kai Jiang
Nanomaterials 2026, 16(4), 238; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano16040238 - 12 Feb 2026
Viewed by 621
Abstract
Efficient ozone synthesis has always been the pursuit of ozone workers and the foundation for the industrial application of ozone reactors. Recently, with continuous breakthroughs in materials and catalyst research, as well as the rapid development of advanced characterization technologies, introducing catalysts into [...] Read more.
Efficient ozone synthesis has always been the pursuit of ozone workers and the foundation for the industrial application of ozone reactors. Recently, with continuous breakthroughs in materials and catalyst research, as well as the rapid development of advanced characterization technologies, introducing catalysts into dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) to build a DBD–catalyst coupled system has developed into an advanced means of improving ozone synthesis and attracted widespread attention. This review aims to provide a systematic summary for the research status of the DBD–catalyst coupled system in the field of ozone synthesis. Firstly, the structure of DBD reactors (type and shape of the electrode, etc.), catalyst types and the coupling method of DBD and catalysts (such as catalyst packing, catalyst coating/film) for the DBD–catalyst coupled system are discussed. Subsequently, the relevant mechanisms involving plasma gas-phase reactions and gas–solid interface reactions for elevating discharge ozone synthesis through coupling catalysts with DBD are summarized and analyzed. Afterwards, the research status of the DBD–catalyst coupled system in the field of ozone synthesis is surveyed. At present, the optimal ozone synthesis performance of the reactor with packed catalyst in air plasma (γ-Al2O3 sphere) is 0.96 g/Nm3 and 103 g/kWh, and in oxygen plasma (SiO2 particle) is 130 g/Nm3 and 91 g/kWh, respectively. For the reactor coupled with a catalyst coating, the performance reaches 19.3 g/Nm3 and 320 g/kWh in oxygen plasma (TiO2). Then, advanced plasma parameter detection techniques (i.e., optical emission spectroscopy and two-photon absorption laser-induced fluorescence) are expatiated to observe the changes in plasma parameters within the discharge system and then provide strong support for further in-depth research and analysis of the enhancement mechanism of coupling catalysts on ozone synthesis. Finally, a short conclusion, together with the current challenges and future opportunities of the DBD–catalyst coupled system in improving ozone synthesis, are proposed. Full article
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32 pages, 6341 KB  
Review
Catalytic Oxidative Removal of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) by Perovskite Catalysts: A Review
by Tong Xu, Chenlong Wang, Yanfei Lv, Bin Zhu and Xiaomin Zhang
Nanomaterials 2025, 15(9), 685; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15090685 - 30 Apr 2025
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3493
Abstract
Volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions have become a critical environmental concern due to their contributions to photochemical smog formation, secondary organic aerosol generation, and adverse human health impacts in the context of accelerated industrialization and urbanization. Catalytic oxidation over perovskite-type catalysts is an [...] Read more.
Volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions have become a critical environmental concern due to their contributions to photochemical smog formation, secondary organic aerosol generation, and adverse human health impacts in the context of accelerated industrialization and urbanization. Catalytic oxidation over perovskite-type catalysts is an attractive technological approach for efficient VOC abatement. This review systematically evaluates the advancements in perovskite-based catalysts for VOC oxidation, focusing on their crystal structure–activity relationships, electronic properties, synthetic methodologies, and nanostructure engineering. Emphasis is placed on metal ion doping strategies and supported catalyst configurations, which have been demonstrated to optimize catalytic performance through synergistic effects. The applications of perovskite catalysts in diverse oxidation systems, including photocatalysis, thermal catalysis, electrocatalysis, and plasma-assisted catalysis, are comprehensively discussed with critical analysis of their respective advantages and limitations. It summarizes the existing challenges, such as catalyst deactivation caused by carbon deposition, sulfur/chlorine poisoning, and thermal sintering, as well as issues like low energy utilization efficiency and the generation of secondary pollutants. By consolidating current knowledge and highlighting future research directions, this review provides a solid foundation for the rational design of next-generation perovskite catalysts for sustainable VOC management. Full article
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