Advanced Nanocomposites for Enhanced Supercapacitor and Photocatalytic Applications

Dear Colleagues,

The ever-growing demand for sustainable energy storage and environmental remediation solutions has driven the development of advanced nanocomposites. These multifunctional materials play a pivotal role in addressing global challenges, such as the depletion of fossil fuels and the contamination of water resources. Supercapacitors have garnered immense attention among various applications due to their high power density, rapid charge/discharge capability, and long operational life. However, achieving high energy density in supercapacitors remains a significant challenge. Simultaneously, photocatalysis has emerged as a green and efficient technique for degrading harmful organic pollutants, offering a promising solution to mitigating water pollution caused by industrial effluents.

Recent advances in nanomaterials have highlighted the potential of hybrid systems that combine metal oxides, sulfides, and phosphides with carbon-based materials like graphene, carbon nanotubes, and carbon dots. These nanocomposites leverage the individual strengths of their components, such as the superior conductivity of carbon materials and the excellent redox activity of metal-based components. These materials have demonstrated remarkable performance in energy storage and photocatalytic applications by improving charge transfer, increasing surface area, and enhancing light absorption.

For example, materials like transition metal oxides (e.g., MnO₂, NiO, and Co₃O₄), metal sulfides (e.g., MoS₂ and WS₂), rare earth oxides (REOs), and perovskite oxides have shown exceptional potential in supercapacitor electrodes. These materials exhibit high theoretical capacitance and energy density, but their practical applications are often limited by low electrical conductivity and poor cycling stability. Similarly, in photocatalysis, materials like titanium dioxide (TiO₂), bismuth-based compounds (e.g., BiVO₄ and Bi₂WO₆), and g-C₃N₄ have been extensively studied for their ability to generate reactive species under light irradiation. However, challenges such as high charge recombination rates and limited visible light absorption hinder their effectiveness.

Integrating these materials into advanced nanocomposites has emerged as a powerful strategy to overcome these limitations. By combining metal-based nanomaterials with carbon-based frameworks, researchers have achieved synergistic enhancements in charge separation, light absorption, and durability. Moreover, the development of green synthesis methods for such nanocomposites aligns with the principles of sustainability and environmental safety, further enhancing their practical appeal.

This Special Issue explores the latest advancements in nanocomposites for supercapacitor and photocatalytic applications, focusing on popular materials that have gained significant attention in recent years. We encourage submissions discussing the design strategies, synthesis methods, and performance optimization of advanced nanomaterials, emphasizing their real-world applications. By showcasing the latest and most promising trends in the field, this Special Issue aims to offer a comprehensive perspective on the future directions of nanomaterials research.

Prof. Dr. Sheng Yun Wu
Guest Editor

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• advanced nanocomposites
• supercapacitors
• photocatalysis
• energy storage
• environmental remediation