Nanoporous Materials for Electrochemical Charge Transfer and Electrocatalysis

A special issue of Nanomaterials (ISSN 2079-4991). This special issue belongs to the section "Energy and Catalysis".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 May 2026 | Viewed by 16636

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
School of Chemical Engineering, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Green Chemical Technology and Process Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Separation Membrane and Membrane Processes, Tiangong University, Tianjin 300387, China
Interests: various micro/nanostructured material synthesis techniques

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Nanoporous materials, including microporous zeolites, silica mesoporous crystal, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), covalent-organic frameworks (COFs), etc., are critical to various fields for applications such as filtration, extraction, separation and catalysts. Due to the small pores in these materials, discrimination and charge transfer between molecules and ions based on sites and shapes are possible, while the confined environment could enhance chemical reactions under electrochemical conditions. Electrocatalysis is regarded as the most important electrode reaction for many energy storage and conversion devices. A fundamental understanding of the relationship between the electronic and structural properties of electrocatalysts and the catalytic performance needs to be systematically developed.

With suitable charge transfer modification, the manipulation of the electronic structure of nanoporous materials by charge transfer could serve as a fundamental mechanism for performance enhancement after establishing an understanding of the relationship between catalytic activity and charge transfer. When nanoporous materials are used as electrocatalysts, electrochemical charges transfer and storage abilities are critical since the electrocatalysis mechanism remains a priority, including ion electrosorption, ion binding with redox-active catalytic sites, ion insertion, conversion reactions and redox-active electrolytes. Furthermore, performance metrics and electrocatalytic cell architectures, decoupled from the underlying mechanism, will be discussed to show the versatility of cell design concepts.

The present Special Issue of Nanomaterials focuses on the latest theoretical developments and practical applications of electrochemical ion transfer and electrocatalysis mechanism and materials. Both academic and industrial researchers are welcome to submit papers that foster the current knowledge of nanoporous materials and present new ideas for future electrochemical charge storage technologies and new electrocatalysis equipment.

Prof. Dr. Chunming Zheng
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • nanoporous materials
  • electrochemical charge transfer
  • electrocatalysis
  • zeolites
  • mesoporous crystal
  • metal-organic frameworks
  • covalence-organic frameworks
  • metal nanoparticles
  • inorganic nanoparticles

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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20 pages, 13042 KiB  
Article
Biomass Cellulose-Derived Carbon Aerogel Supported Magnetite-Copper Bimetallic Heterogeneous Fenton-like Catalyst Towards the Boosting Redox Cycle of ≡Fe(III)/≡Fe(II)
by Qiang Zhao, Jiawei Yang, Jiayi Xia, Gaotian Zhao, Yida Yang, Zongwei Zhang, Jing Li, Fang Wei and Weiguo Song
Nanomaterials 2025, 15(8), 614; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15080614 - 16 Apr 2025
Viewed by 292
Abstract
To degrade high-concentration and toxic organic effluents, we developed Fe-Cu active sites loaded on biomass-source carbon aerogel (CA) to produce a low-cost and high-efficiency magnetic Fenton-like catalyst for the catalytic oxidative decomposition of organic pollutants. It exhibits excellent performance in catalytic Fenton-like reactions [...] Read more.
To degrade high-concentration and toxic organic effluents, we developed Fe-Cu active sites loaded on biomass-source carbon aerogel (CA) to produce a low-cost and high-efficiency magnetic Fenton-like catalyst for the catalytic oxidative decomposition of organic pollutants. It exhibits excellent performance in catalytic Fenton-like reactions for RhB removal at an ultrahigh initial concentration of up to 1000 ppm. To be specific, Fe3O4 and Cu nanoparticles are generated in situ on a mesoporous CA support, denoted as an Fe3O4-Cu/CA catalyst. Experimentally, factors including initial dye concentration, catalyst dosage, H2O2 dosage, pH, and temperature, which significantly influence the oxidative degradation rate of RhB, are carefully studied. The RhB (1000 ppm) degradation ratio reaches 93.7% within 60 min under low catalyst and H2O2 dosage. The catalyst also shows slight metal leaching (almost 1.4% of total Fe and 4.0% of total Cu leached after a complete degradation of 25 μmol RhB under conditions of 15 mg catalyst dosage, 20 mL RhB solution (600 ppm), and 200 μL 30 wt% H2O2 dosage, at pH of 2.5, at 40 °C), good catalytic activity for degrading organic pollutants, excellent reusability, and good catalytic stability (the degradation ratio is nearly 82.95% in the 8th cycle reaction). The synergistic effect between Fe and Cu species plays a vital role in promoting the redox cycle of Fe(III)/Fe(II) and enhancing the generation of ·OH. It is suitable for ultrahigh-concentration organic pollutant degradation in practical wastewater treatment applications. Full article
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19 pages, 7851 KiB  
Article
Effects of Palladium Precursors on the Activity of Palladium Nanocatalysts for the Oxidation of Volatile Organic Components
by Qingtao Li, Qi Cai, Xiaoyun Li, Enshan Han, Yanmin Sun, Yanfei Lu, Zhe Cai and Haibin Yu
Nanomaterials 2023, 13(7), 1189; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13071189 - 27 Mar 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2020
Abstract
To screen a suitable precursor, the effects of palladium salts on performance of Pd nanocatalysts for the oxidation of volatile organic components (VOCs) were investigated. A series of catalysts was prepared by impregnating Pd(NO3)2, PdCl2 and Pd(NH3 [...] Read more.
To screen a suitable precursor, the effects of palladium salts on performance of Pd nanocatalysts for the oxidation of volatile organic components (VOCs) were investigated. A series of catalysts was prepared by impregnating Pd(NO3)2, PdCl2 and Pd(NH3)4Cl2 on alumina-coated cordierites. These catalysts were characterized by XRF, ICP-OES, XRD, N2 adsorption-desorption, TEM, EDS, Raman spectroscopy, pulse-CO chemisorption, H2-TPR, NH3-TPD, and XPS. Pulse-CO chemisorption and TEM showed that Pd species formed by Pd(NO3)2 have the highest metal dispersion (17.7%), while the other two were aggregating. For the same Pd loading, the higher the metal dispersion, the more the number of PdO species, so the number of PdO particles in the catalyst prepared from Pd (NO3) 2 is the largest. The catalytic oxidation activities of these catalysts were evaluated by ethane and propane. Based on a 99% conversion in the oxidation of ethane and propane at 598 K and 583 K, respectively, the catalyst prepared from Pd(NO3)2 was considered to be the best performing catalyst. The chloride species in precursors can promote the aggregation of Pd species and poison the catalysts. The results show that Pd(NO3)2 is more suitable as the precursor of VOC oxidation catalyst than PdCl2 and Pd(NH3)4Cl2. Full article
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18 pages, 6762 KiB  
Article
Reactive Flame-Retardant Cotton Fabric Coating: Combustion Behavior, Durability, and Enhanced Retardant Mechanism with Ion Transfer
by Wenju Zhu, Qing Wang, Mingyang Yang, Minjing Li, Chunming Zheng, Dongxiang Li, Xiaohan Zhang, Bowen Cheng and Zhao Dai
Nanomaterials 2022, 12(22), 4048; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12224048 - 17 Nov 2022
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2968
Abstract
In recent years, we have witnessed numerous indoor fires caused by the flammable properties of cotton. Flame-retardant cotton deserves our attention. A novel boric acid and diethylenetriaminepenta (methylene-phosphonic acid) (DTPMPA) ammonium salt-based chelating coordination flame retardant (BDA) was successfully prepared for cotton fabrics, [...] Read more.
In recent years, we have witnessed numerous indoor fires caused by the flammable properties of cotton. Flame-retardant cotton deserves our attention. A novel boric acid and diethylenetriaminepenta (methylene-phosphonic acid) (DTPMPA) ammonium salt-based chelating coordination flame retardant (BDA) was successfully prepared for cotton fabrics, and a related retardant mechanism with ion transfer was investigated. BDA can form a stable chemical and coordination bond on the surface of cotton fibers by a simple three-curing finishing process. The limiting oxygen index (LOI) value of BDA-90 increased to 36.1%, and the LOI value of cotton fabric became 30.3% after 50 laundering cycles (LCs) and exhibited excellent durable flame retardancy. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) methods were used to observe the bonding mode and morphology of BDA on cotton fibers. A synergistic flame-retardant mechanism of condensed and gas phases was concluded from thermogravimetry (TG), cone calorimeter tests, and TG-FTIR. The test results of whiteness and tensile strength showed that the physical properties of BDA-treated cotton fabric were well maintained. Full article
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Review

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23 pages, 4574 KiB  
Review
Research and Application Progress of Geopolymers in Adsorption: A Review
by Jinyun Xu, Minjing Li, Di Zhao, Guoqiang Zhong, Yu Sun, Xudong Hu, Jiefang Sun, Xiaoyun Li, Wenju Zhu, Ming Li, Ziqi Zhang, Yu Zhang, Liping Zhao, Chunming Zheng and Xiaohong Sun
Nanomaterials 2022, 12(17), 3002; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12173002 - 30 Aug 2022
Cited by 35 | Viewed by 6315
Abstract
Geopolymer is a porous inorganic material with a three-dimensional mesh structure, good mechanical properties, a simple preparation process (no sintering) and a low economic cost, and it is environmentally friendly. Geopolymer concrete has been widely used in the construction field, and many other [...] Read more.
Geopolymer is a porous inorganic material with a three-dimensional mesh structure, good mechanical properties, a simple preparation process (no sintering) and a low economic cost, and it is environmentally friendly. Geopolymer concrete has been widely used in the construction field, and many other studies have revealed that geopolymer will become one of the most promising inorganic materials with unique structure and properties. This paper provides a review of the development and current status of geopolymers and briefly explains the effects of material proportioning, experimental factors and activators on geopolymer performance. Because of the advantages of high specific surface area and high porosity, geopolymers could be used as adsorbent materials. This paper summarizes the research progresses of the adsorption of metal cations, anions, dyes, and gases by geopolymers, which emphasizes the geopolymer membranes in adsorption, and discusses the challenges and opportunities for the development of more efficient, sustainable and practical adsorption protocols. Full article
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25 pages, 7100 KiB  
Review
Composition and Structure Progress of the Catalytic Interface Layer for Bipolar Membrane
by Di Zhao, Jinyun Xu, Yu Sun, Minjing Li, Guoqiang Zhong, Xudong Hu, Jiefang Sun, Xiaoyun Li, Han Su, Ming Li, Ziqi Zhang, Yu Zhang, Liping Zhao, Chunming Zheng and Xiaohong Sun
Nanomaterials 2022, 12(16), 2874; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12162874 - 21 Aug 2022
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 4023
Abstract
Bipolar membranes, a new type of composite ion exchange membrane, contain an anion exchange layer, a cation exchange layer and an interface layer. The interface layer or junction is the connection between the anion and cation exchange layers. Water is dissociated into protons [...] Read more.
Bipolar membranes, a new type of composite ion exchange membrane, contain an anion exchange layer, a cation exchange layer and an interface layer. The interface layer or junction is the connection between the anion and cation exchange layers. Water is dissociated into protons and hydroxide ions at the junction, which provides solutions to many challenges in the chemical, environmental and energy fields. By combining bipolar membranes with electrodialysis technology, acids and bases could be produced with low cost and high efficiency. The interface layer or junction of bipolar membranes (BPMs) is the connection between the anion and cation exchange layers, which the membrane and interface layer modification are vital for improving the performance of BPMs. This paper reviews the effect of modification of a bipolar membrane interface layer on water dissociation efficiency and voltage across the membrane, which divides into three aspects: organic materials, inorganic materials and newly designed materials with multiple components. The structure of the interface layer is also introduced on the performance of bipolar membranes. In addition, the remainder of this review discusses the challenges and opportunities for the development of more efficient, sustainable and practical bipolar membranes. Full article
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