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Nanomaterials
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Nanomaterials for Sustainable Energy and Environmental Protection
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Nanomaterials for Sustainable Energy and Environmental Protection

A special issue of Nanomaterials (ISSN 2079-4991). This special issue belongs to the section "Synthesis, Interfaces and Nanostructures".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 January 2023) | Viewed by 21208

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Yuxin Zhang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Material Science and Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
Interests: environmental protection; sustainability; renewable energy source; sewage treatment; anti-corrosion technology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Shude Liu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
International Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics (WPI-MANA), National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS), 1-1 Namiki, Tsukuba 305-0044, Ibaraki, Japan
Interests: nanomaterials; electrochemical energy storage; supercapacitors; defect engineering

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Increasing energy consumption and environmental pollution are key obstacles to the sustainable development of modern society. To this end, researchers are committed to designing advanced nanomaterials and developing facile preparation technologies to boost the sustainable development of clean energy and environmental protection. The fascinating properties of nanostructured materials have been widely investigated in electrochemical energy storage devices, high-efficiency adsorption technologies, and carbon capture systems.

The present Special Issue of Nanomaterials aims to showcase the latest technology of nanomaterials in environmental protection, renewable energy sourcing, and electrochemical storage applications. It is strongly recommended to proceed on the basis of an in-depth understanding of the relationship between the structure and electrochemical properties, electrochemical reactions, fundamental mechanisms, and evaluation of the device configuration. We invite leading groups in the field to contribute your original research articles and review articles to promote the progress of the discipline.

Prof. Dr. Yuxin Zhang
Dr. Shude Liu
Guest Editors

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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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

  • environmental protection
  • sustainability
  • nanomaterials
  • electrochemical energy storage
  • sewage treatment
  • renewable energy source

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 2418 KiB  
Article
Diatomite-like KFeS2 for Use in High-Performance Electrodes for Energy Storage and Oxygen Evolution
by Can Wang, Kailin Li, Qing Sun, Shijin Zhu, Chenzhi Zhang, Yunhao Zhang, Zhongyi Shi, Youzhong Hu and Yuxin Zhang
Nanomaterials 2023, 13(4), 643; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13040643 - 6 Feb 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1998
Abstract
Bifunctional materials possess remarkable properties that allow them to store and convert electrical energy easily. In this paper, diatomite-like potassium iron disulfide (KFeS2) was synthesized by a multistep sacrificial template method, and its morphological, electrochemical, and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) properties [...] Read more.
Bifunctional materials possess remarkable properties that allow them to store and convert electrical energy easily. In this paper, diatomite-like potassium iron disulfide (KFeS2) was synthesized by a multistep sacrificial template method, and its morphological, electrochemical, and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) properties were investigated. KFeS2 was found to be porous, hollow, and cake-like, which suggests a high specific surface area (SSA) and abundant electrochemically active sites. A very high specific capacitance of 651 F g−1 at 1.0 A g−1 was also obtained due to the substance’s unique structure and high porosity. Additionally, the diatomite-like KFeS2 possessed a very low overpotential ƞ10 of 254 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm−2 and a small Tafel slope of about 48.4 mV dec−1. Thus, the diatomite-like KFeS2 demonstrates broad application prospects for both energy storage and conversion. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials for Sustainable Energy and Environmental Protection)
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17 pages, 8916 KiB  
Article
Synthesis and Characterization of 2D-WS2 Incorporated Polyaniline Nanocomposites as Photo Catalyst for Methylene Blue Degradation
by Syed Shahabuddin, Shahid Mehmood, Irfan Ahmad and Nanthini Sridewi
Nanomaterials 2022, 12(12), 2090; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12122090 - 17 Jun 2022
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3221
Abstract
2D-WS2 incorporated polyaniline nanocomposites (WS2-PANI) with varying WS2 loadings were synthesized by a facile in situ oxidative polymerization technique which effectively promoted photocatalytic waste-water remediation using methylene blue (MB) as the probe molecules. The physicochemical properties of WS2 [...] Read more.
2D-WS2 incorporated polyaniline nanocomposites (WS2-PANI) with varying WS2 loadings were synthesized by a facile in situ oxidative polymerization technique which effectively promoted photocatalytic waste-water remediation using methylene blue (MB) as the probe molecules. The physicochemical properties of WS2-PANI (1–5) nanocomposites were investigated using multifarious techniques such as FT-IR, XRD, BET surface area, TGA, FESEM, and HRTEM. An electron microscopy analysis that was performed using HRTEM analysis confirm the layered structure of WS2 with periodic planes (100) separated by 0.27 nm. The photocatalytic performance of the WS2-PANI (1–5) for MB degradation performed under UV photo irradiation clearly showed that 2 wt.% WS2-PANI outperformed other variants with 93% degradation MB within 90 min. Furthermore, the catalytic material was reusable for five cycles without a significant loss of the catalytic performance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials for Sustainable Energy and Environmental Protection)
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14 pages, 17080 KiB  
Article
Highly Selective Removal of Cationic Dyes from Wastewater by MgO Nanorods
by Monira Galal Ghoniem, Fatima Adam Mohamed Ali, Babiker Yagoub Abdulkhair, Mohamed Rahmt Allah Elamin, Arwa Mofareh Alqahtani, Seyfeddine Rahali and Mohamed Ali Ben Aissa
Nanomaterials 2022, 12(6), 1023; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12061023 - 21 Mar 2022
Cited by 43 | Viewed by 3554
Abstract
The organic synthetic dyes employed in industries are carcinogenic and harmful. Dyes must be removed from wastewater to limit or eliminate their presence before dumping into the natural environment. The current study aims to investigate the use of MgO nanoparticles to eliminate basic [...] Read more.
The organic synthetic dyes employed in industries are carcinogenic and harmful. Dyes must be removed from wastewater to limit or eliminate their presence before dumping into the natural environment. The current study aims to investigate the use of MgO nanoparticles to eliminate basic fuchsine (BF), as a model cationic dye pollutant, from wastewater. The MgO nanorods were synthesized through a coprecipitation method. The obtained nanocomposite was characterized using various techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), and FTIR spectroscopy. It was found that the variation of dye concentration and pH influenced the removal of BF by MgO. The adsorption capacity of 493.90 mg/g is achieved under optimum operating conditions (pH = 11, contact time = 236 min, and initial BF concentration = 200 ppm). Pseudo-second-order adsorption kinetics and Freundlich isotherm models best fitted BF sorption onto MgO nanorods. The BF sorption mechanism is associated with the electrostatic attractions and hydrogen bond between the O–H group of MgO and the NH2 groups of BF, as indicated by the pH, isotherms, and FTIR studies. The reusability study indicates that MgO was effectively used to eliminate BF in at least four continuous cycles. The investigation of MgO with different dyes suggests the high adsorption selectivity of BF, crystal violet (CV), and malachite green (MG) dyes compared with methyl orange (MO) dye. Overall, MgO nanorods can act as a potential and promising adsorbent for the efficient and rapid removal of cationic dyes (CV, MG, and BF) from wastewater. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials for Sustainable Energy and Environmental Protection)
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20 pages, 8626 KiB  
Article
Continuously Reinforced Carbon Nanotube Film Sea-Cucumber-like Polyaniline Nanocomposites for Flexible Self-Supporting Energy-Storage Electrode Materials
by Bingjian Li, Shi Liu, Haicun Yang, Xixi Xu, Yinjie Zhou, Rong Yang, Yun Zhang and Jinchun Li
Nanomaterials 2022, 12(1), 8; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12010008 - 21 Dec 2021
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 3156
Abstract
The charge storage mechanism and capacity of supercapacitors completely depend on the electrochemical and mechanical properties of electrode materials. Herein, continuously reinforced carbon nanotube film (CNTF), as the flexible support layer and the conductive skeleton, was prepared via the floating catalytic chemical vapor [...] Read more.
The charge storage mechanism and capacity of supercapacitors completely depend on the electrochemical and mechanical properties of electrode materials. Herein, continuously reinforced carbon nanotube film (CNTF), as the flexible support layer and the conductive skeleton, was prepared via the floating catalytic chemical vapor deposition (FCCVD) method. Furthermore, a series of novel flexible self-supporting CNTF/polyaniline (PANI) nanocomposite electrode materials were prepared by cyclic voltammetry electrochemical polymerization (CVEP), with aniline and mixed-acid-treated CNTF film. By controlling the different polymerization cycles, it was found that the growth model, morphology, apparent color, and loading amount of the PANI on the CNTF surface were different. The CNTF/PANI-15C composite electrode, prepared by 15 cycles of electrochemical polymerization, has a unique surface, with a “sea-cucumber-like” 3D nanoprotrusion structure and microporous channels formed via the stacking of the PANI nanowires. A CNTF/PANI-15C flexible electrode exhibited the highest specific capacitance, 903.6 F/g, and the highest energy density, 45.2 Wh/kg, at the current density of 1 A/g and the voltage window of 0 to 0.6 V. It could maintain 73.9% of the initial value at a high current density of 10 A/g. The excellent electrochemical cycle and structural stabilities were confirmed on the condition of the higher capacitance retention of 95.1% after 2000 cycles of galvanostatic charge/discharge, and on the almost unchanged electrochemical performances after 500 cycles of bending. The tensile strength of the composite electrode was 124.5 MPa, and the elongation at break was 18.9%. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials for Sustainable Energy and Environmental Protection)
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Review

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19 pages, 2853 KiB  
Review
Carbon Aerogels as Electrocatalysts for Sustainable Energy Applications: Recent Developments and Prospects
by Minna Zhang, Xiaoxu Xuan, Xibin Yi, Jinqiang Sun, Mengjie Wang, Yihao Nie, Jing Zhang and Xun Sun
Nanomaterials 2022, 12(15), 2721; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12152721 - 8 Aug 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3109
Abstract
Carbon aerogel (CA) based materials have multiple advantages, including high porosity, tunable molecular structures, and environmental compatibility. Increasing interest, which has focused on CAs as electrocatalysts for sustainable applications including oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), oxygen evolution reaction (OER), hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), and [...] Read more.
Carbon aerogel (CA) based materials have multiple advantages, including high porosity, tunable molecular structures, and environmental compatibility. Increasing interest, which has focused on CAs as electrocatalysts for sustainable applications including oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), oxygen evolution reaction (OER), hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), and CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) has recently been raised. However, a systematic review covering the most recent progress to boost CA-based electrocatalysts for ORR/OER/HER/CO2RR is now absent. To eliminate the gap, this critical review provides a timely and comprehensive summarization of the applications, synthesis methods, and principles. Furthermore, prospects for emerging synthesis, screening, and construction methods are outlined. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials for Sustainable Energy and Environmental Protection)
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29 pages, 6746 KiB  
Review
A Review of Advancing Two-Dimensional Material Membranes for Ultrafast and Highly Selective Liquid Separation
by Hongli Zhang, Yiling Zheng, Shuwen Yu, Weixing Chen and Jie Yang
Nanomaterials 2022, 12(12), 2103; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12122103 - 18 Jun 2022
Cited by 22 | Viewed by 4950
Abstract
Membrane-based nanotechnology possesses high separation efficiency, low economic and energy consumption, continuous operation modes and environmental benefits, and has been utilized in various separation fields. Two-dimensional nanomaterials (2DNMs) with unique atomic thickness have rapidly emerged as ideal building blocks to develop high-performance separation [...] Read more.
Membrane-based nanotechnology possesses high separation efficiency, low economic and energy consumption, continuous operation modes and environmental benefits, and has been utilized in various separation fields. Two-dimensional nanomaterials (2DNMs) with unique atomic thickness have rapidly emerged as ideal building blocks to develop high-performance separation membranes. By rationally tailoring and precisely controlling the nanochannels and/or nanoporous apertures of 2DNMs, 2DNM-based membranes are capable of exhibiting unprecedentedly high permeation and selectivity properties. In this review, the latest breakthroughs in using 2DNM-based membranes as nanosheets and laminar membranes are summarized, including their fabrication, structure design, transport behavior, separation mechanisms, and applications in liquid separations. Examples of advanced 2D material (graphene family, 2D TMDs, MXenes, metal–organic frameworks, and covalent organic framework nanosheets) membrane designs with remarkably perm-selective properties are highlighted. Additionally, the development of strategies used to functionalize membranes with 2DNMs are discussed. Finally, current technical challenges and emerging research directions of advancing 2DNM membranes for liquid separation are shared. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials for Sustainable Energy and Environmental Protection)
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