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Applications of Nanostructure Materials in Energy and Environmental Sustainability

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Chemical Engineering and Technology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (11 April 2025) | Viewed by 1247

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Chemistry, University of Pavia, Via Torquato Taramelli, 12, 27100 Pavia PV, Italy
Interests: polymer (and biopolymer) degradation and functionalization; pyrolysis for biomass waste valorization; reaction mechanisms related to the origins of life

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Guest Editor
Department of Chemistry, University of Pavia, Via Torquato Taramelli 12, 27100 Pavia, PV, Italy
Interests: carbon materials; photochemistry; renewable materials; cancer biology
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Nowadays, nanomaterials are ubiquitous, and their applications are promising and valuable, especially with regard to hot topics related to environmental sustainability. In fact, the enhancement of new catalysts and safer materials that have less of an impact on the environment is crucial as we work toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

For this Special Issue, we will accept contributions of both experimental and review articles on energy conversion, storage, and harvesting, as well as on the use of catalysts in environmental applications.

Special attention will be given to technologies related to solar and visible light for water decontamination, hydrogen production, and carbon dioxide reduction.

Due to the vastness of topics, greater importance will be placed on experimental papers, critical reviews, and perspective articles, so that we may compare similarities and differences across different fields, leading to collaborations and future advancements.

Dr. Daniele Dondi
Dr. Dhanalakshmi Vadivel
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. Sustainability 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

  • photocatalysis
  • materials from renewable sources
  • water treatment
  • energy storage
  • energy harvesting
  • energy conversion
  • hydrogen production and storage
  • carbon dioxide reduction
  • solar energy

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

11 pages, 6023 KiB  
Article
Degradation Potential of Metakaolin-Based Geopolymer Composites Immersed in Real and Simulated Acidic Environments
by Shriram Marathe, Natalia Szemiot-Jankowska, Sanjeev Kumar and Murugan Muthu
Sustainability 2025, 17(2), 468; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17020468 - 9 Jan 2025
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 937
Abstract
This study investigates the degradation potential of metakaolin-based geopolymer (GP) composites when exposed to real and simulated acidic environments. Traditional OPC concrete, commonly used in wastewater treatment facilities, faces considerable deterioration due to the destructive chemical composition of municipal wastewater. This extensive investigation [...] Read more.
This study investigates the degradation potential of metakaolin-based geopolymer (GP) composites when exposed to real and simulated acidic environments. Traditional OPC concrete, commonly used in wastewater treatment facilities, faces considerable deterioration due to the destructive chemical composition of municipal wastewater. This extensive investigation aims to assess the performance of GP composites as a sustainable alternative to such materials. The metakaolin-based GP mortar samples were prepared and subjected to immersion in a primary clarifier unit at a local wastewater treatment plant (real) and a laboratory-made acetic acid solution (simulation) for up to four weeks after curing. The analysis included measurements of % strength and % weight loss, as well as characterization techniques such as isothermal calorimetry, microstructure (SEM), and mercury porosimetry (MIP). The outcomes signified a cumulative heat generation of 534 J/g at three days, with an average compressive strength of 79.4 MPa past 28 days. Exposure to acetic acid led to a 13% decline in compressive strength and a 3.90% loss in sample weight, while exposure to real wastewater resulted in an 18% strength and a 5.60% weight loss. Observations from SEM revealed microstructural changes, including the formation of biofilms and air voids, indicating multifaceted interactions between the GP matrix and its surrounding environment. This research effectively highlights the potential of metakaolin-based geopolymer composites to improve durability against acidic conditions, suggesting future applications in the construction of infrastructure exposed to such harsh chemical environments. Full article
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