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Nanomaterials
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Nanomaterials and Energetics: Design, Developments, and Challenges from Experimentation and...
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Nanomaterials and Energetics: Design, Developments, and Challenges from Experimentation and Computation Aspects

A special issue of Nanomaterials (ISSN 2079-4991).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 August 2026 | Viewed by 9332

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Weiqiang Pang

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Guest Editor
Xi’an Modern Chemistry Research Institute, Xi’an 710065, China
Interests: composite energetic materials; nanoscale energetic materials (nEMs); microscale energetic materials (mEMs); ignition; combustion; thermal decomposition; deflagration and detonation; energetic formulation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Djalal Trache

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Teaching and Research Unit of Energetic Processes, Ecole Militaire Polytechnique, Bordj-El-Bahri, Bordj Al-Bahri, Algiers 16046, Algeria
Interests: bio-based materials; nanocellulose; nanomaterials; characterization; analytical methods; thermal analysis; kinetics; advanced materials; nanoenergetic materials; propellant; energetic materials; multifunctional polymer composites and nanocomposites
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Kaili Zhang

grade E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Mechanical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Room Y6700, Yeung Building 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong 999077, China
Interests: energetics-on-a-chip; energetic materials; Li-ion battery/supercapacitor; energy; thermal science
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In recent years, significant advancements have been made in the exploitation, combustion, ignition, and application of innovative nano-metric energetic materials, including solid fuels, energetic combustion catalysts, metal particles, thermites, and energetic composites, etc., due to the technological novelties in the field of nano-scale science and technology. One of the main reasons for utilizing innovative nano-metric energetic materials and their composites in various chemical propulsion systems is due to the high heat of formation, high specific surface area, high reactive activation and high energy density. Although innovative nano-metric energetic materials have the very attractive feature of extremely high heat release rates and tailored burning rates, producing high energy in their combustion processes and high combustion efficiency during their industry application presents a great challenge to many engineers and scientists. Various techniques have recently been developed to overcome the intrinsic difficulties. Fundamental research investigations have also been conducted to explore the detailed physicochemical processes associated with innovative nano-metric energetic material preparation, combustion and application. In particular, state-of-the-art rocket propulsion systems have greatly benefited from innovative nano-metric energetic material development in recent years, especially in terms of future prospective nano-metric energetic materials for rocket fuels and fabrication of propellants, explosives and pyrotechnics.

This Special Issue presents compiled results of the most recent development of innovative nano-sized energetic materials, including nano-sized metal fuels, nano-sized combustion catalysts, nano-sized energetic composite nano-sized oxidizers, nano-sized thermites, etc., for use in simulations, ignition and combustion, with a particular focus on energetic application technology in chemical propulsion systems. This effort focuses on the design and investigation of novel high-tech nano-metric energetic materials for metal fuels, oxidizers, combustion catalysts, thermites, and further additives for solid, liquid, gelled, hybrid, electro-controlled and propellant systems. On the one hand, considerable effort is being spent on the improvement and perfecting of the propulsion systems themselves, which are designed exclusively for the nano-metric ingredients they work with. On the other hand, the research for new nano-metric ingredients for chemical propulsion is a challenge for chemistry. In recent years, for nano-metric energetic material ingredients for chemical propellants, great progress has been made in the development of propellants, explosives, and pyrotechnics. Despite the impressive progress witnessed in the field of nano-EMs during the last century, it must be admitted that the rate of progress is much slower when compared to other fields such as polymer chemistry, electronics, and computers owing to a number of constraints and restrictions that nano-EM scientists have to encounter in developing a new nEM. These include safety, stability (thermal, storage, etc.), cost, and other considerations.

The submission of contributions on the advanced energetic nanomaterials in chemical propulsion from the viewpoint of experiment and simulation aspects, including research papers, reviews, short communications, etc. is encouraged.

Prof. Dr. Weiqiang Pang
Prof. Dr. Djalal Trache
Prof. Dr. Kaili Zhang
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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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-blind 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

  • nano-energetic materials
  • nano-metal fuels
  • nano-technology
  • nano-energetic composites
  • nanocatalysts
  • nanothermites
  • solid rocket propellant
  • thermal decomposition
  • combustion
  • molecular dynamic simulation

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

Jump to: Review

17 pages, 3696 KB  
Article
Rheological and Physicochemical Properties Following Ageing of a Graphene-Based Nanomaterial Under Development as Surgical Implant
by Amelia Seifalian, Alex Digesu and Vikram Khullar
Nanomaterials 2026, 16(8), 487; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano16080487 - 19 Apr 2026
Viewed by 456
Abstract
A novel graphene-based nanomaterial, trade registered Hastalex®, has been synthesised and investigated for its application as a 3D scaffold in surgical implantation. Hastalex is developed through the covalent bonding of amine-group-functionalised graphene oxide to the base chemical, poly(carbonate-urea)urethane. The material is [...] Read more.
A novel graphene-based nanomaterial, trade registered Hastalex®, has been synthesised and investigated for its application as a 3D scaffold in surgical implantation. Hastalex is developed through the covalent bonding of amine-group-functionalised graphene oxide to the base chemical, poly(carbonate-urea)urethane. The material is under development for medical application including tendon, heart valve, and pelvic implant for prolapse surgery. For successful clinical translation, long-term rheological and chemical stability must be demonstrated and until now no systematic multi-year evaluation has been reported for graphene-poly(carbonate-urea)urethane nanocomposites. The material was synthesised in accordance with the patented formulation and evaluated at 0, 6, 12, and 24 months post-synthesis. Physicochemical properties were assessed using attenuated total reflectance Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope, contact angle measurements, thermogravimetric analysis, and mechanical analysis with tensile tests. Flow behaviour of Hastalex was evaluated using a rheometer to determine viscosity, shear stress response and impact of temperature changes and ageing on these factors. Hastalex exhibited non-Newtonian, shear-thinning behaviour consistent across all timepoints. Viscosity was found to increase progressively with ageing, attributed not to chemical degradation, but likely due to gradual solvent evaporation and densification of the polymer matrix during storage under ambient conditions. Rheological measurements across increasing temperature regimes revealed a heat-sensitive decrease in viscosity, followed by a reversal of changes beyond ~80 °C—likely due to enhanced solvent evaporation and chain reorganisation. This comprehensive material characterisation supports Hastalex as a promising candidate for bioengineering applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials and Energetics: Design, Developments, and Challenges from Experimentation and Computation Aspects)
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19 pages, 3403 KB  
Article
A Self-Powered and Highly Sensitive Flexible Contact-Pressure Sensor for Dynamic Sensing Based on Graphene-Enhanced Hydrogel
by Zhiwei Hu, Jinlong Ren, Lingyu Wan, Lin Zhang, Xuan Yang and Tao Lin
Nanomaterials 2026, 16(8), 453; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano16080453 - 10 Apr 2026
Viewed by 500
Abstract
A self-powered graphene-enhanced hydrogel sensor (SGHS) with high contact-pressure sensitivity and mechanical robustness was developed for precise dynamic biomechanical and material contact sensing. The device generates transient electrical signals via contact electrification and electrostatic induction during contact–separation events, eliminating the need for any [...] Read more.
A self-powered graphene-enhanced hydrogel sensor (SGHS) with high contact-pressure sensitivity and mechanical robustness was developed for precise dynamic biomechanical and material contact sensing. The device generates transient electrical signals via contact electrification and electrostatic induction during contact–separation events, eliminating the need for any external power supply. The optimized SGHS achieves a maximum peak power density of 0.23 mW·m−2, with contact-pressure sensitivities of 0.6 kPa−1 and 0.26 kPa−1 in the pressure ranges of 0.25–5 kPa and 5–25 kPa, respectively, which is competitive with or exceeds that of other externally powered and self-powered flexible dynamic stress sensors in the low-pressure range. Comprehensive analyses reveal that the pressure response originates from the enhanced piezodielectric effect in the graphene hydrogel layer under compression. The SGHS exhibits excellent mechanical durability, maintaining stable output after 10,000 loading–unloading cycles. Moreover, the pulse intensity, width, and waveform of its self-generated output provide distinctive features for identifying the type and surface characteristics of contacting objects. These results highlight SGHS as a promising candidate for next-generation intelligent, self-powered, and flexible dynamic sensing systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials and Energetics: Design, Developments, and Challenges from Experimentation and Computation Aspects)
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19 pages, 3372 KB  
Article
Mn-CeO2 Nanomaterial for the Colorimetric Sensing of H2O2 and Ascorbic Acid
by Faxue Ma, Xiangju Wu, Zhen Ma, Jingjing Lu, Xueqing Zhu and Yuguang Lv
Nanomaterials 2026, 16(7), 443; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano16070443 - 7 Apr 2026
Viewed by 514
Abstract
Owing to the high stability and low cost of nanozymes, they have been extensively investigated and reported. In this work, highly active CeO2 nanoflowers were first prepared and then different metal elements were doped into the CeO2 nanoflower matrix via a [...] Read more.
Owing to the high stability and low cost of nanozymes, they have been extensively investigated and reported. In this work, highly active CeO2 nanoflowers were first prepared and then different metal elements were doped into the CeO2 nanoflower matrix via a novel synthesis method to fabricate M-CeO2 (M = Cu, Fe, Co, Mn, La) nanomaterials. Mn-CeO2 with the highest peroxidase-like activity was selected via systematic screening, the as-prepared Mn-CeO2 nanocomposites exhibited enhanced enzyme-like activity due to the strong metal-support interaction. This article explored the effects of doping ratio, pH, temperature, reaction time, and material concentration on its activity. A simple sensitive and selective colorimetric method was established and successfully used to detect hydrogen peroxide and ascorbic acid sensitively. When the hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) concentration is within the 2.0–120.0 μM range, the UV-visible absorbance at 652 nm was associated linearly with the H2O2 concentration, R2 = 0.9959, LOD = 1.7 μM (S/N = 3). The absorbance of the reaction system showed a good linear relationship with the ascorbic acid (AA) concentration (1.0–40.0 μM, R2 = 0.992), LOD = 0.98 μM (S/N = 3). This study provides an effective way to construct efficient nanozymes and their potential applications in sensing and detection. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials and Energetics: Design, Developments, and Challenges from Experimentation and Computation Aspects)
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26 pages, 7391 KB  
Article
Effects of Frost Damage and Nanomaterials Modification on the Microstructure and Fracture Properties of the Interfacial Transition Zone of Cementitious Materials
by Xiangong Zhou, Xiancheng Zhou and Weikang Kong
Nanomaterials 2025, 15(21), 1670; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15211670 - 3 Nov 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 882
Abstract
Cementitious materials are multiscale and multiphase composites whose frost resistance at the macroscale is closely governed by microstructural characteristics. However, the interfacial transition zone (ITZ) between clinker and hydrates, recognized as the weakest solid phase, plays a decisive role in the initiation and [...] Read more.
Cementitious materials are multiscale and multiphase composites whose frost resistance at the macroscale is closely governed by microstructural characteristics. However, the interfacial transition zone (ITZ) between clinker and hydrates, recognized as the weakest solid phase, plays a decisive role in the initiation and propagation of microcracks under freezing conditions. Understanding the frost damage mechanism of ITZ is therefore essential for improving the durability of concrete in cold regions. The motivation of this study lies in revealing how freezing affects the mechanical integrity and microstructure of ITZ in its early ages, which remains insufficiently understood in existing research. To address this, a nanoscratch technique was employed for its ability to quantify local fracture properties and interfacial adhesion at the submicronscale, providing a direct and high-resolution assessment of ITZ behavior under freeze–thaw action. The ITZ thickness and fracture properties were characterized in unfrozen cement paste and in cement paste frozen at 1 and 7 days of age to elucidate the microscale frost damage mechanism. Moreover, the enhancement effect of nano-silica modification on frozen ITZ was investigated through the combined use of nanoscratch and mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP). The correlations among clinker particle size, ITZ thickness, and ITZ fracture properties were further established using nanoscratch coupled with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). This study provides a novel micromechanical insight into the frost deterioration of ITZ and demonstrates the innovative application of nanoscratch technology in characterizing freeze-induced damage in cementitious materials, offering theoretical guidance for designing durable concrete for cold environments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials and Energetics: Design, Developments, and Challenges from Experimentation and Computation Aspects)
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17 pages, 2525 KB  
Article
Dry Reforming of Methane Using Gd-promoted Ni/SBA-16 Catalyst: Structure, Activity and Process Optimization with Response Surface Methodology
by Salma A. Al-Zahrani, Mohammed F. Alotibi, Ahmed I. Osman, Ahmed A. Bhran, Maha Awjan Alreshidi, Ahmed Al Otaibi, Hessah Difallah A. Al-Enazy, Nuha Othman S. Alsaif and Ahmed S. Al-Fatesh
Nanomaterials 2025, 15(19), 1527; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15191527 - 6 Oct 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1447
Abstract
This work examines the effect of gadolinium (Gd) promotion on nickel-based SBA-16 catalysts for the dry reforming of methane (DRM), with the goal of improving syngas production by optimizing catalyst composition and operating conditions. Catalysts with varying Gd loadings (0.5–3 wt.%) were synthesised [...] Read more.
This work examines the effect of gadolinium (Gd) promotion on nickel-based SBA-16 catalysts for the dry reforming of methane (DRM), with the goal of improving syngas production by optimizing catalyst composition and operating conditions. Catalysts with varying Gd loadings (0.5–3 wt.%) were synthesised using co-impregnation. XRD, N2 physisorption, FTIR, XPS, and H2-TPR–CO2-TPD–H2-TPR were used to examine the structural features, textural properties, surface composition, and redox behaviour of the catalysts. XPS indicated formation of enhanced metal–support interactions, while initial and post-treatment H2–TPR analyses showed that moderate Gd loadings (1–2 wt.%) maintained a balanced distribution of reducible Ni species. The catalysts were tested for DRM performance at 800 °C and a gas hourly space velocity (GHSV) of 42,000 mL g−1 h−1. 1–2 wt.% Gd-promoted catalysts achieved the highest H2 (~67%) and CO yield (~76%). Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to identify optimal reaction conditions for maximum H2 yield. RSM predicted 848.9 °C temperature, 31,283 mL g−1 h−1 GHSV, and a CH4/CO2 ratio of 0.61 as optimal, predicting a H2 yield of 96.64%, which closely matched the experimental value of H2 yield (96.66%). The 5Ni–2Gd/SBA-16 catalyst exhibited minimal coke deposition, primarily of a graphitic character, as evidenced by TGA–DSC and Raman analyses. These results demonstrate the synergy between catalyst design and process optimization in maximizing DRM efficiency. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials and Energetics: Design, Developments, and Challenges from Experimentation and Computation Aspects)
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Review

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15 pages, 997 KB  
Review
Surface-Coated Nano-Sized Aluminum Powder’s Applications in Explosives and Propellants: A Review
by Weipeng Zhang, Huili Guo and Weiqiang Pang
Nanomaterials 2025, 15(17), 1295; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15171295 - 22 Aug 2025
Viewed by 2337
Abstract
Aluminum powder has the advantages of high calorific value, high density and convenient source, and is a commonly used metal fuel in the explosives and propellants industry. Nanometer aluminum powder (nAl) has higher reactivity and higher reaction completeness than micron aluminum powder (μAl), [...] Read more.
Aluminum powder has the advantages of high calorific value, high density and convenient source, and is a commonly used metal fuel in the explosives and propellants industry. Nanometer aluminum powder (nAl) has higher reactivity and higher reaction completeness than micron aluminum powder (μAl), which can improve the energy performance of mixed explosives and the burning rate of propellant. However, nAl has some disadvantages, such as easy oxidation and deterioration of the preparation process, which seriously affect its application efficiency. In order to improve these shortcomings, suitable surface coating treatment is needed. The effects of surface coating on the characteristics of nAl and on the energy and safety of explosives are summarized in this paper. The results show that surface coating of nAl can not only improve the compatibility between nAl and energetic materials, reduce the hygroscopicity of energetic composites, mitigate the easy oxidation of nAl, and protect the preparation process, but also improve the energy performance of explosives and the burning rate of propellant, increase the reaction characteristics of energetic mixtures, and reduce the mechanical sensitivity of those mixtures. In addition, the surface coating modification of nAl can obviously reduce the agglomeration of condensed-phase combustion products, thus reducing the loss of propulsion efficiency caused by agglomeration. This study is expected to provide reference for the surface coating of nAl and its application in explosives. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials and Energetics: Design, Developments, and Challenges from Experimentation and Computation Aspects)
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20 pages, 3323 KB  
Review
The Structural Regulation and Properties of Energetic Materials: A Review
by Jin Yu, Siyu Xu, Weiqiang Pang, Hanyu Jiang and Zihao Zhang
Nanomaterials 2025, 15(15), 1140; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15151140 - 23 Jul 2025
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2536
Abstract
Structural regulation is of great significance for improving the comprehensive performance of energetic materials (EMs). The structural regulation and properties of EMs were summarized. For single-component EMs, particle size control focuses on quality consistency and industrial scalability, morphology modification mainly improves sphericity through [...] Read more.
Structural regulation is of great significance for improving the comprehensive performance of energetic materials (EMs). The structural regulation and properties of EMs were summarized. For single-component EMs, particle size control focuses on quality consistency and industrial scalability, morphology modification mainly improves sphericity through monomers or aggregates and explores the possibility of layered energetic materials in improving mechanical properties, and polycrystalline regulation suppresses metastable phases and explores novel crystalline forms using simulation-guided design. Composite EMs (CEMs) employ core–shell structures to balance safety with performance via advanced coating materials, cocrystal engineering to tailor energy release through intermolecular interactions, and lattice strain modulation, and mixing structures integrates component advantages while enhancing the reaction efficiency. Future directions emphasize computational simulations and novel fabrication methods to guide the rational design and precise preparation of next-generation EMs with specific functions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials and Energetics: Design, Developments, and Challenges from Experimentation and Computation Aspects)
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