Nanotechnology in Renewable Energy: Novel Approaches and Future Developments
A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Energy Sustainability".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 23 June 2026 | Viewed by 64
Special Issue Editor
Interests: nanotechnology and nanomaterials; thin films; nanotribology; atomic force microscopy (AFM); nano- and microscale properties; energy harvesting; machine learning modelling; AI modelling
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Nanotechnology plays a pivotal role in advancing renewable energy technologies, aligning closely with the scope of the journal Sustainability, including interdisciplinary focus on sustainable development, environmental stewardship, and innovative solutions for global challenges. The global importance of this research topic, and the number of ever-growing relevant studies in this area of scientific endeavor, unquestionably deserves a Special Issue of the journal to gather a collection of high-quality reports on all aspects of nanotechnology applications in renewable energy.
By manipulating materials at the nanoscale, researchers enhance energy conversion efficiency, storage capacity, and system durability while reducing costs and environmental footprints. For instance, nano-photovoltaic panels leverage quantum dots and perovskite nanostructures to improve solar energy harvesting, addressing the journal’s emphasis on clean energy accessibility. Similarly, nanogenerators convert mechanical energy from wind or human motion into electricity, supporting decentralized energy systems. Nanotechnology enables breakthroughs in sustainable materials, such as recyclable nano-enhanced batteries and lightweight nanocomposites for wind turbines, which mitigate reliance on fossil fuels. Furthermore, nanostructured catalysts improve hydrogen production efficiency, advancing green hydrogen economies. Also, this research is critical for achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 13 (Climate Action).
Suggested themes for this Special Issue of the journal include all research areas involved in applications of nanotechnology for renewable energy development, which are diverse and span multiple scientific and engineering disciplines. The key thematic areas include the following:
- Nano-enhanced solar energy systems: incorporating nanomaterials into solar stills and photovoltaic cells to improve light absorption, thermal efficiency, and overall energy conversion. Nanotechnology is used to develop advanced coatings, quantum dots, and nanostructured surfaces that significantly boost the performance of solar devices
- Nanotechnology in solar water desalination: using nanomaterials and phase-change materials to increase the efficiency and sustainability of solar stills, making clean water production more viable in remote or arid regions
- Green chemical processes and synthesis: applying nanotechnology in the design of greener chemical processes, including those that utilize renewable resources or alternative energy sources, while assessing their environmental impacts through life cycle assessment (LCA)
- Nanomaterials for energy storage: developing advanced batteries and supercapacitors using nanostructured electrodes and electrolytes to enhance storage capacity, charge/discharge rates, and lifespan.
- Nano-catalysts for renewable fuels: creating highly efficient nano-catalysts for the production of hydrogen and synthetic fuels from renewable sources, improving reaction rates and selectivity.
- Nanotechnology in urban farming and bioenergy: leveraging nanomaterials to optimize energy use and generation in urban farming systems, such as hydroponics and aquaponics, and to enhance the conversion of biomass to bioenergy
- Hybrid renewable energy systems: integrating nanotechnology with other renewable energy technologies (e.g., combining solar and wind with nano-enhanced materials) to improve overall system efficiency and sustainability
- Environmental impact assessment: employing life-cycle assessment methods to evaluate the environmental benefits and potential risks of nanotechnology applications in renewable energy
These research areas, as well as others, which collectively contribute to advancing sustainable energy solutions, improving efficiency, reducing costs, and minimizing environmental impacts, all of which are central to the goals of renewable energy innovation and sustainable development, are welcome as contributions to this Special Issue of the journal.
In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following: piezoelectric nanogenerators, quantum dot solar cells, sustainable materials for energy storage, recyclable nano-cathodes, bio-inspired nanomaterials for eco-friendly supercapacitors and hydrogen storage systems, self-healing nano-membranes for durable fuel cells and electrolyzers in green hydrogen production, nanocomposite coatings to enhance corrosion resistance and lifespan, nano-catalysts for low-cost, high-efficiency CO2 conversion into synthetic fuels, nanogrids for off-grid communities using lightweight, low-cost nano-solar panels and storage, etc.
As esteemed researchers in this area, we are honored to invite your respectable contributions for this Special Issue of the journal.
With kindest regards,
Dr. Marko Perčić
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- nanotechnology
- renewable energy
- nanogenerators
- solar cells
- perovskite
- nanocomposites
- nanofiltration
- hydrogen
- fuel cells
- battery sustainability
- energy storage
- nano-catalysis
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