Advanced Polymeric Composites for Environmental Applications: Catalytic Remediation of Emerging Contaminants and Their Conversion into High-Value Products

Dear Colleagues,

The growing emergence of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs), such as pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and industrial by-products, poses a major threat to ecosystems and human health, and thus requires innovative and sustainable solutions. Advanced materials and composites have gained increasing attention as versatile platforms for catalytic remediation thanks to their tailorable physical–chemical properties, tuneable active sites, and multifunctional behaviour. In this Special Issue, we highlight recent advances in photocatalysis, sonocatalysis, piezocatalysis, electrocatalysis, and hybrid catalytic processes for the efficient degradation of persistent pollutants in water and air. Particular focus is placed on the design of nanostructured and composite materials that couple high catalytic efficiency with durability, scalability, and environmental compatibility. Beyond contaminant removal, we also welcome contributions that explore catalytic pathways for upcycling contaminants into high-value products, including fuels, platform chemicals, and green-energy carriers such as hydrogen and ammonia. By bridging environmental remediation with resource recovery, this Special Issue aims to stimulate the formation of cross-disciplinary approaches that address global sustainability challenges while enabling the creation of circular economy models.

Dr. Hugo Salazar
Dr. Pedro Manuel Martins
Guest Editors

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