Functional Nano/Single-Atom Catalysts for Next-Generation Zinc Batteries (Zn–Air and Zn-Ion Batteries): Theoretical and Experimental Studies
A special issue of Nanomaterials (ISSN 2079-4991). This special issue belongs to the section "Energy and Catalysis".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 February 2026 | Viewed by 3
Special Issue Editor
Interests: fuel cells; electrochemistry; oxygen reduction reaction; oxygen evolution reaction; water electrolysis
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Alternatives to traditional lithium-based technologies are currently being explored, following the growing global demand for safe, affordable, and sustainable energy storage and conversion systems. Zinc–air batteries (ZABs) and zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) have garnered a huge amount of interest due to their inherent safety and compatibility with the environment and the abundance of zinc found in nature. However, many challenges still prevail that prevent their widespread use. While dendritic zinc growth, cathode dissolution, and electrolyte instability hinder long-term cycling and energy density in ZIBs, slow oxygen reduction and evolution reactions (ORRs/OERs) severely limit efficiency and durability in ZABs.
Functional nanomaterials and single-atom catalysts (SACs) are receiving more attention because of their unique electronic structures, well-defined atomic sites, and excellent catalytic activity. Improvements in heteroatom-doped carbons, metal–nitrogen–carbon (M–N–C) single-atom frameworks, and hybrid nanoarchitectures have significantly advanced catalytic kinetics and structural stability. Additionally, theoretical and computational studies have provided important information about reaction pathways, adsorption energies, and charge transport behaviors, which can facilitate the design of highly efficient catalysts.
This Special Issue, “Functional Nano/Single-Atom Catalysts for Next-Generation Zinc Batteries (Zn–Air and Zn-Ion Batteries): Theoretical and Experimental Studies,” aims to bridge theoretical knowledge with new experimental ideas in zinc-based energy technologies. We welcome original research, reviews, and opinions that explore, but are not limited to, the following topics:
- The rational design and synthesis of nano- and single-atom catalysts.
- The in situ and operando characterization of catalytic processes.
- The computational modeling of zinc-ion storage and oxygen electrocatalysis.
- Interface engineering, dendrite suppression, and electrolyte optimization.
- The scalable fabrication and practical integration of zinc-based energy systems.
Dr. Shaik Gouse Peera
Guest Editor
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Keywords
- zinc ion-batteries
- Zn–air batteries
- OER/ORR
- computational modeling and theoretical studies
- electrocatalysis
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