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Functional Modification of Nanomaterials for Efficient Applications

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 July 2023) | Viewed by 14384

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Special Issue Editor

Dr. Yuanhao Wang

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Guest Editor

SUSTech Engineering Innovation Center, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
Interests: nanogenerators; harvesters; energy harvesting

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The research of nanomaterials is a hot topic in the fields of material science, condensed matter physics and chemistry. Due to the unstable thermodynamic state of nanomaterials, their chemical properties are unstable, and their application is limited. Functional modification is one of the best methods to realize the efficient utilization of nanomaterials. The functional modification of nanomaterials can achieve performance improvements in the surface wettability, interfacial compatibility and (or) activity regulation, etc., and significantly enhance the application prospects of nanomaterials.

The present Special Issue focuses on the latest theoretical developments and practical cases of the functional modification of nanomaterials for efficient application. The functional modification techniques include but are not limited to surface modification, encapsulation and coupling modification. This Special Issue is designed to attract both academic and industrial researchers to present the current modification knowledge on nanomaterials for efficient application.

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

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Keywords

functional modification
surface modification
activity regulation
surface wettability
interfacial compatibility
coupling modification

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 4003 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Organo-Vermiculites Modified by Aza-Containing Gemini Surfactants: Efficient Uptake of 2-Naphthol and Bromophenol Blue

by Jianchao Gong, Tingting Wang, Wei Zhang, Lin Han, Mingxiao Gao, Tianen Chen, Tao Shen and Yaxiong Ji

Nanomaterials 2022, 12(20), 3636; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12203636 - 17 Oct 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1291

Abstract

To explore the effect of spacer structure on the adsorption capability of organo-vermiculites (organo-Vts), a series of aza-containing gemini surfactants (5N, 7N and 8N) are applied to modify Na-vermiculite (Na-Vt). Large interlayer spacing, strong binding strength and high modifier availability are observed in organo-Vts, which endow them with superiority for the adsorption of 2-naphthol (2-NP) and bromophenol blue (BPB). The maximum adsorption capacities of 5N-Vt, 7N-Vt and 8N-Vt toward 2-NP/BPB are 142.08/364.49, 156.61/372.65 and 146.50/287.90 mg/g, respectively, with the adsorption processes well fit by the PSO model and Freundlich isotherm. The quicker adsorption equilibrium of 2-NP than BPB is due to the easier diffusion of smaller 2-NP molecules into the interlayer space of organo-Vts. Moreover, stable regeneration of 7N-Vt is verified, with feasibility in the binary-component system that is demonstrated. A combination of theoretical simulation and characterization is conducted to reveal the adsorption mechanism; the adsorption processes are mainly through partition processes, electrostatic interaction and functional interactions, in which the spacer structure affects the interlayer environment and adsorptive site distribution, whereas the adsorbate structure plays a role in the diffusion process and secondary intermolecular interactions. The results of this study demonstrate the versatile applicability of aza-based organo-Vts targeted at the removal of phenols and dyes as well as provide theoretical guidance for the structural optimization and mechanistic exploration of organo-Vt adsorbents. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Modification of Nanomaterials for Efficient Applications)

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11 pages, 3420 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Application of Organic Amine Modified Natural Zeolite in Filling Natural Rubber

by Xiaolong Chen, Taozhong Zhang, Pengliang Sun, Fujia Yu, Bin Li and Linan Dun

Nanomaterials 2022, 12(16), 2784; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12162784 - 14 Aug 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1351

Abstract

In this paper, the method of filling natural rubber with zeolite as filler was mainly studied in the following two aspects: firstly, experiments selected organic amine surface modifier to modify natural zeolite and used infrared spectroscopy to analyze the interaction between the modifier and zeolite, and secondly, studying the application of modified zeolite in natural rubber and using scanning electron microscopy to analyze the mechanism of action between zeolite and natural rubber. The test results show that octadecylamine in the modifier had the relatively best effect. Under the best conditions, the activation index of the modified product could reach 95% and above, and the contact angle could reach about 100°. When the filling amount was 30 phr, the octadecylamine modification had the most obvious effect on the performance of zeolite/natural rubber and the composite rubber had better mechanical properties. The corresponding tensile strength, tear strength, elongation at break and Shore hardness were 22.59 MPa, 28.52 MPa, 782.1% and 41, respectively, which were 45.74%, 19.28%, 7.95% and 7.89% higher than those of unmodified zeolite/natural rubber. As the first study of organic amine modified zeolite as a filler for filling natural rubber, this work provides a new way to improve the added value of natural zeolite. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Modification of Nanomaterials for Efficient Applications)

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13 pages, 8487 KiB

Open AccessArticle

NiFeMn-Layered Double Hydroxides Linked by Graphene as High-Performance Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Evolution Reaction

by Ze Wang, Qianyu Zhou, Yanni Zhu, Yangfan Du, Weichun Yang, Yuanfu Chen, Yong Li and Shifeng Wang

Nanomaterials 2022, 12(13), 2200; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12132200 - 27 Jun 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1999

Abstract

Currently, precious metal group materials are known as the efficient and widely used oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalysts. The exorbitant prices and scarcity of the precious metals have stimulated scale exploration of alternative non-precious metal catalysts with low-cost and high performance. Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) are a promising precursor to prepare cost-effective and high-performance catalysts because they possess abundant micropores and nitrogen self-doping after pyrolysis, which can accelerate the electron transfer and serve as active sites for efficient OER. Herein, we developed a new highly active NiFeMn-layered double hydroxide (NFM LDH) based electrocatalyst for OER. Through building NFM hydroxide/oxyhydroxide heterojunction and incorporation of conductive graphene, the prepared NFM LDH-based electrocatalyst delivers a low overpotential of 338 mV at current density of 10 mA cm⁻² with a small Tafel slope of 67 mV dec⁻¹, which are superior to those of commercial RuO₂ catalyst for OER. The LDH/OOH heterojunction involves strong interfacial coupling, which modulates the local electronic environment and boosts the kinetics of charge transfer. In addition, the high valence Fe³⁺ and Mn³⁺ species formed after NaOH treatment provide more active sites and promote the Ni²⁺ to higher oxidation states during the O₂ evolution. Moreover, graphene contributes a lot to the reduction of charge transfer resistance. The combining effects have greatly enhanced the catalytic ability for OER, demonstrating that the synthesized NFM LDH/OOH heterojunction with graphene linkage can be practically applied as a high-performance electrocatalyst for oxygen production via water splitting. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Modification of Nanomaterials for Efficient Applications)

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10 pages, 6123 KiB

Open AccessArticle

In Situ Construction of Bronze/Anatase TiO₂ Homogeneous Heterojunctions and Their Photocatalytic Performances

by Yong Li, Ming-Qing Zhang, Yan-Fang Liu, Ya-Xun Sun, Qing-Hua Zhao, Tian-Lu Chen, Yuan-Fu Chen and Shi-Feng Wang

Nanomaterials 2022, 12(7), 1122; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12071122 - 29 Mar 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1941

Abstract

Photocatalytic degradation is one of the most promising emerging technologies for environmental pollution control. However, the preparation of efficient, low-cost photocatalysts still faces many challenges. TiO₂ is a widely available and inexpensive photocatalyst material, but improving its catalytic degradation performance has posed a significant challenge due to its shortcomings, such as the easy recombination of its photogenerated electron–hole pairs and its difficulty in absorbing visible light. The construction of homogeneous heterojunctions is an effective means to enhance the photocatalytic performances of photocatalysts. In this study, a TiO₂(B)/TiO₂(A) homogeneous heterojunction composite photocatalyst (with B and A denoting bronze and anatase phases, respectively) was successfully constructed in situ. Although the construction of homogeneous heterojunctions did not improve the light absorption performance of the material, its photocatalytic degradation performance was substantially enhanced. This was due to the suppression of the recombination of photogenerated electron–hole pairs and the enhancement of the carrier mobility. The photocatalytic ability of the TiO₂(B)/TiO₂(A) homogeneous heterojunction composite photocatalyst was up to three times higher than that of raw TiO₂ (pure anatase TiO₂). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Modification of Nanomaterials for Efficient Applications)

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8 pages, 1484 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Liquid Phase Nano Titanium Dioxide (TiO₂) on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Camphor Tree

by You Zhou, Lei Zhang, Yaodi Liu and Jiyun She

Nanomaterials 2022, 12(7), 1047; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12071047 - 23 Mar 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1636

Abstract

It is of great significance to popularize and apply nanotechnology in forest plantations for the high-quality development of such areas. Camphor trees have good ecological and environmental benefits and are economic, which makes them worthy of widespread popularization and promotion. In this paper, we successfully synthesized bulk and rod-like TiO₂ powder and used it to study the influence of camphor seed germination and seedling growth. The germination rate, germination potential, germination index activity index of camphorwood seed during germination were measured by TiO₂ solution with different morphology. Meanwhile, the fresh weight, root length and seedling height of seedlings, as well as the activities of CAT, SOD and POD and MDA content in the seedlings were measured in detail. The difference in the promoting effect between bulk and rod TiO₂ powder was compared. The possible reasons are also explained. The results showed that bulk and rod-like TiO₂ solution improved the activities of SOD, POD and CAT, and increased the resilience of camphor seedlings. Moreover, the rod-like TiO₂ solution has a stronger osmotic effect on seed, and has a better effect on promoting seed germination and seedling growth. The study on the influence of nano-TiO₂ concentration also further showed that the treatment of nano-TiO₂ solution with appropriate concentration could effectively promote seed germination and seedling growth, and enhance its adoptability to adversity; but excessive concentration will bring some side effects, which was not conducive to seed germination and seedling growth. In general, the results of this study provide a theoretical basis and technical guidance for the practical application of nanotechnology in camphor seedling and afforestation production. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Modification of Nanomaterials for Efficient Applications)

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Review

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17 pages, 3570 KiB

Open AccessReview

A Mini Review of S-Nitrosoglutathione Loaded Nano/Micro-Formulation Strategies

by Hui Ming, Kunpeng Zhang, Shengbo Ge, Yang Shi, Chunan Du, Xuqiang Guo and Libo Zhang

Nanomaterials 2023, 13(2), 224; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13020224 - 04 Jan 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1637

Abstract

As a potential therapeutic agent, the clinical application of S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) is limited because of its instability. Therefore, different formulations have been developed to protect GSNO from degradation, delivery and the release of GSNO at a physiological concentration in the active position. Due to the high water-solubility and small molecular-size of GSNO, the biggest challenges in the encapsulation step are low encapsulation efficiency and burst release. This review summarizes the different nano/micro-formulation strategies of a GSNO related delivery system to provide references for subsequent researchers interested in GSNO encapsulation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Modification of Nanomaterials for Efficient Applications)

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44 pages, 8968 KiB

Open AccessReview

Modern Advances in Magnetic Materials of Wireless Power Transfer Systems: A Review and New Perspectives

by De’an Wang, Jiantao Zhang, Shumei Cui, Zhi Bie, Kai Song, Chunbo Zhu and Milyaev Igor Matveevich

Nanomaterials 2022, 12(20), 3662; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12203662 - 18 Oct 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3750

Abstract

The magnetic coupling resonant wireless power transfer (MCR-WPT) system is considered to be the most promising wireless power transfer (WPT) method because of its considerable transmission power, high transmission efficiency, and acceptable transmission distance. For achieving magnetic concentration, magnetic cores made of magnetic materials are usually added to MCR-WPT systems to enhance the coupling performance. However, with the rapid progress of WPT technology, the traditional magnetic materials gradually become the bottleneck that restricts the system power density enhancement. In order to meet the electromagnetic characteristics requirements of WPT systems, high-performance Mn-Zn and Ni-Zn ferrites, amorphous, nanocrystalline, and metamaterials have been developed rapidly in recent years. This paper introduces an extensive review of the magnetic materials of WPT systems, concluding with the state-of-the-art WPT technology and the development and application of high-performance magnetic materials. In addition, this study offers an exclusive reference to researchers and engineers who are interested in learning about the technology and highlights critical issues to be addressed. Finally, the potential challenges and opportunities of WPT magnetic materials are presented, and the future development directions of the technology are foreseen and discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Modification of Nanomaterials for Efficient Applications)

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