Functional Nanomaterials for Pollutant Detection and Degradation
A special issue of Nanomaterials (ISSN 2079-4991). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental Nanoscience and Nanotechnology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 July 2026 | Viewed by 194
Editor
Interests: electrochemical sensors; cell-based biosensors; environmental detection; toxicity evaluation of pollutants; pollution control
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The sustained development of industry and agriculture, along with the large-scale production and use of chemicals, has resulted in the release of various pollutants into air, water, and soil, posing severe risks to ecosystems and human health. Conventional methods for pollutant monitoring and remediation often face limitations related to sensitivity, selectivity, cost, and efficiency. In recent years, the emergence of functional nanomaterials has opened new pathways for addressing these challenges. By engineering materials at the nanoscale, researchers can tailor their optical, electrical, catalytic, and adsorption properties, enabling the highly specific detection and efficient degradation of contaminants. The convergence of nanotechnology with environmental science has, thus, given rise to a dynamic and rapidly evolving field, dedicated to creating smarter, more sustainable solutions for pollution management.
This Special Issue will highlight recent advances in the design, synthesis, and application of functional nanomaterials for the dual purpose of pollutant detection and degradation. We will provide a platform for sharing innovative strategies that integrate sensing and remediation functionalities, ultimately contributing to the development of integrated environmental protection technologies. This Special Issue’s scope covers, but is not limited to, nanomaterials with enhanced selectivity, stability, recyclability, and multifunctional performance under real environmental conditions.
We welcome original research articles and comprehensive reviews that explore novel concepts, materials, and applications in this interdisciplinary area. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Nanomaterial-based optical, electrochemical, or biosensing platforms for detecting pollutants (e.g., heavy metals, organic contaminants, gases);
- Novel methods for environmental toxicity assessment based on the synergy of cell-based biosensors and nanomaterials, for monitoring the biological effects of pollutants;
- Catalytic nanomaterials (e.g., photocatalysts, Fenton-like catalysts, electrocatalysts) for pollutant degradation;
- Hybrid and composite nanomaterials with dual detection and degradation functions;
- Studies on the environmental impact, lifecycle, and scalability of functional nanomaterials for real-world applications;
- Advanced characterization and computational modeling of nanomaterials in pollutant interaction processes;
- Design, performance optimization, and mechanistic studies of nanomaterials for environmental pollution control (e.g., catalytic degradation, adsorptive removal).
We look forward to receiving your valuable contributions.
Dr. Xiaolin Zhu
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-anonymized 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
- pollutant detection
- pollutant degradation
- environmental monitoring
- environmental remediation
- nanotechnology
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
- Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
- Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
- Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
- External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
- Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.
Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.
