New Trends in Nanomaterials for Carbon Dioxide Conversion and Utilization

Dear Colleagues,

[1] Background & history of this topic

Under the dual challenges of global climate change and energy transition, the efficient conversion and resource utilization of carbon dioxide have become the focus of attention in both the scientific and industrial communities. Since the industrial revolution, the continuous increase in the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has driven the development of carbon capture, utilization and storage technologies. Nanomaterials, with their unique size effects, high specific surface area and tunable electronic and surface properties, offer new opportunities for the activation and directed conversion of carbon dioxide. From early metal nanocatalysts to the rich variety of multifunctional composite materials available today, the progress of nanotechnology has continuously broken through the efficiency bottlenecks of traditional thermal catalysis and photocatalysis, propelling this field from fundamental research towards practical applications.

[2] Aim and scope of the specia issue

This Special Issue aims to bring together the latest breakthroughs in the intersection of nanomaterial design and carbon dioxide conversion technologies, with a focus on cutting-edge research on converting carbon dioxide into high-value chemicals, fuels, or functional materials through catalysis, electrocatalysis, photocatalysis, and photo-electrocatalysis. The scope covers everything from fundamental mechanism exploration (such as active site identification and reaction path regulation) to material innovation (such as single-atom catalysts, metal-organic frameworks, two-dimensional nanostructures, and hybrid systems), as well as process intensification and system integration studies. We hope that through this Special Issue, we can promote interdisciplinary dialogue, reveal the deep influence mechanism of nanostructures on the activation and conversion performance of carbon dioxide, and provide material-level solutions for achieving the carbon neutrality goal.

[3] Cutting-edge research

This Special Issue encourages submissions that reflect research on the following cutting-edge directions: the role of advanced in-situ characterization techniques and theoretical calculations in revealing the dynamic behavior of nano-catalysts; the enhancement of mass transfer and reaction selectivity through the design of novel nano-reactors; the construction of solar-driven artificial photosynthesis nano-systems; the simultaneous optimization of product selectivity and energy efficiency in electrocatalytic CO₂ reduction; and the application of nano-materials in integrated direct air capture and conversion technologies. Additionally, we also focus on practical research such as the stability of nano-materials for large-scale applications, the economic feasibility of their preparation, and life cycle analysis.

[4] What kind of papers we are soliciting

The expected types of papers to be collected include original research papers, in-depth reviews, and forward-looking opinion articles. Manuscripts should highlight new strategies for the design of nanomaterials, innovative regulation of reaction pathways, or new insights into transformation mechanisms. We especially welcome research results that demonstrate high performance, high selectivity, or unique functional integration. Through this Special Issue, we hope to provide a high-level exchange platform for scholars in the field and jointly promote the development of nanomaterial-driven carbon dioxide conversion technology towards more efficient, intelligent, and sustainable directions.

Dr. Zhongxue 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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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