Innovative Synthesis and Applications of Functional Nanomaterials

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

Rapid advancements in nanotechnology have revolutionized material science, enabling the development of functional nanomaterials with unprecedented properties and applications. Functional nanomaterials, owing to their unique structural, electronic, optical, and mechanical properties, have become pivotal in addressing critical challenges in diverse fields such as energy, healthcare, catalysis, and environmental sustainability. Their innovative synthesis methods allow for precise control over the size, shape, and composition of nanomaterials, unlocking their potential in diverse cutting-edge applications. This call-for-papers invites contributions to the field of "Innovative Synthesis and Applications of Functional Nanomaterials", which focuses on novel methodologies for synthesizing functional nanomaterials and their applications in energy storage/conversion, environmental remediation, biomedicine, and catalysis.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Synthesis: advanced and green synthesis methodologies.
• Characterization: diverse techniques for probing morphology, structure, and properties.
• Energy Applications: batteries, supercapacitors, fuel cells, redox–flow, nanogenerators, and solar energy devices.
• Environmental Applications: water purification and pollution control.
• Biomedical Applications: drug delivery, antimicrobial, anticancer, bioimaging, and biosensors.
• Catalysis: electrocatalysis, photocatalysis, and heterogeneous catalysis.
• Optical Applications: imaging, communication, biophotonics, and storage.
• Hybrid and Composite Nanomaterials: Multifunctional materials for advanced applications.

This Topic seeks high-quality research that highlights innovative synthetic methods in multifunctional nanomaterials, fostering advancements in science and technology.

Dr. Paulraj Arunkumar
Dr. Arun Thirumurugan
Topic Editors

Keywords

Participating Journals

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Micromachines micromachines	3.0	6.0	2010	16.8 Days	CHF 2100	Submit
Nanomanufacturing nanomanufacturing	-	-	2021	23.5 Days	CHF 1000	Submit
Nanomaterials nanomaterials	4.3	9.2	2010	14 Days	CHF 2400	Submit
Processes processes	2.8	5.5	2013	14.9 Days	CHF 2400	Submit
Sustainability sustainability	3.3	7.7	2009	17.9 Days	CHF 2400	Submit

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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All Micromachines Nanomanufacturing Nanomaterials Processes Sustainability

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13 pages, 1223 KB  

Open AccessArticle

Controlled Chemical Synthesis of Color Centers in Nanocrystalline Silicon Carbide

by Sarah Morais Bezerra, Gabor Bortel, Sándor Kollarics, Adam Gali and David Beke

Nanomaterials 2026, 16(10), 627; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano16100627 - 19 May 2026

Viewed by 260

Abstract

Silicon carbide is a promising material for optically and spin-active point defects relevant to quantum applications. Quantum-relevant color centers are commonly generated by irradiation or implantation, which require specialized infrastructure and may introduce collateral lattice damage. Here, we present a chemical approach in [...] Read more.

Silicon carbide is a promising material for optically and spin-active point defects relevant to quantum applications. Quantum-relevant color centers are commonly generated by irradiation or implantation, which require specialized infrastructure and may introduce collateral lattice damage. Here, we present a chemical approach in which the influence of synthesis temperature, high-energy ball milling, and aluminum addition on formation, polytype distribution, and defect formation in SiC is investigated. We found that it is possible to create quantum-relevant defects throughout the chemical synthesis, and the temperature and mechanical activation are the dominant parameters governing defect generation. Photoluminescence and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy demonstrate that low synthesis temperatures (1050–1150 °C) in high-energy ball-milled samples yield silicon vacancy and divacancy-related color centers, evidenced by characteristic near-infrared PL emission and high-spin EPR signals with zero-field splitting values D ≈ 1.3 GHz and D ≈ 270 MHz, consistent with neutral divacancies and V_Si–C_Si complex centers, respectively. An additional EPR signal at D ≈ 650–780 MHz, not matched by any previously reported defect configuration in SiC, is tentatively assigned to a second-nearest-neighbor divacancy-like (V_Si–V_C) pair. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Innovative Synthesis and Applications of Functional Nanomaterials)

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22 pages, 10606 KB  

Open AccessArticle

MOF-Derived TiO₂ Photocatalysts for Hydrogen Production Coupled to Selective Glycerol Oxidation at Near-Neutral pH

by Emerson Faustino, Priscila Sabioni Cavalheri, Emmanuel da Silva Côgo Miguel, Thalita Ferreira da Silva, Gabriel Henrique Diniz Manicoba, Ana Beatriz Saldanha da Silva Ezequiel, Luiz Eduardo Gomes, Heberton Wender, Anderson Rodrigues Lima Caires, Rodrigo Pereira Cavalcante and Amilcar Machulek Junior

Nanomanufacturing 2026, 6(2), 7; https://doi.org/10.3390/nanomanufacturing6020007 - 26 Mar 2026

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 780

Abstract

Simultaneous hydrogen fuel and value-added chemical production from renewable resources is a key strategy in sustainable catalysis. This work presents a novel strategy employing metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) as precursors for synthesizing advanced titanium dioxide (TiO₂) photocatalysts with enhanced structural and optical [...] Read more.

Simultaneous hydrogen fuel and value-added chemical production from renewable resources is a key strategy in sustainable catalysis. This work presents a novel strategy employing metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) as precursors for synthesizing advanced titanium dioxide (TiO₂) photocatalysts with enhanced structural and optical properties. Two photocatalysts, M-BDC and M-2,5PDC, were synthesized via controlled calcination of MIL-125(Ti) using terephthalic and 2,5-pyridinedicarboxylic acids, respectively. Characterization confirmed the formation of mixed anatase/rutile TiO₂ phases with mesoporous structures. Notably, nitrogen incorporation in M-2,5PDC reduced the optical band gap to 2.94 eV compared with 3.08 eV for M-BDC, enhancing visible-light absorption. Photocatalytic experiments conducted at near-neutral pH (6.0) demonstrated effective simultaneous glycerol oxidation and hydrogen evolution without the use of alkaline additives. M-BDC achieved 30% glycerol conversion with 78.85% selectivity toward dihydroxyacetone and 21.15% toward glyceraldehyde, while M-2,5PDC exhibited selectivities of 71.55% and 28.45%, respectively. Glycerol underwent partial oxidation without complete mineralization, generating high-value products in parallel with hydrogen production. Both catalysts displayed excellent reuse stability across three consecutive cycles, with M-BDC showing enhanced dihydroxyacetone selectivity (78.85% to 84.42% between cycles). This MOF-derived TiO₂ platform integrates controlled synthesis, near-neutral pH operation, high selectivity, and catalytic stability, thereby establishing a viable strategy for the simultaneous production of clean fuel and value-added chemicals from renewable resources. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Innovative Synthesis and Applications of Functional Nanomaterials)

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15 pages, 3122 KB  

Open AccessArticle

Thermomechanical Behavior of Ni-Ti Shape Memory Alloy Cantilever Beams Under Cyclic Bending

by Saeed Danaee Barforooshi, Girolamo Costanza, Stefano Paoloni, Ilaria Porroni and Maria Elisa Tata

Processes 2026, 14(6), 931; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr14060931 - 15 Mar 2026

Viewed by 480

Abstract

NiTi Shape Memory Alloys (SMAs) display notable thermomechanical properties such as superelasticity and the elastocaloric effect, which makes them of interest for emerging solid-state cooling and thermal management applications. It is recognized that a considerable amount of work has been recently conducted to [...] Read more.

NiTi Shape Memory Alloys (SMAs) display notable thermomechanical properties such as superelasticity and the elastocaloric effect, which makes them of interest for emerging solid-state cooling and thermal management applications. It is recognized that a considerable amount of work has been recently conducted to improve the understanding of the uniaxial tensile and compressive response of Ni-Ti SMAs; however, there has been limited work on the response to bending, which is an important operational mode in the practical designs of devices. This work consists of an experimental study of the thermomechanical response of Ni-Ti cantilever beams to cyclic bending. Nitinol samples (100 mm × 20 mm × 1 mm) were shape-set at 550 °C for 30 min and tested at 1800 rpm. The sample surface temperature change was monitored with infrared thermography data and analyzed with the Profile Mono Segment and Area Rectangle methods. The findings show that there was a measurable elastocaloric temperature change of approximately 4–5 °C, and temperature change increased by 21–25% as bending deflection increased from 31 mm to 33 mm. This was further shown to be nonlinear with the applied strain amplitude, reinforcing the strong coupling between mechanical and thermal response. The results demonstrate that Ni-Ti cantilever beams have significant potential for compact, sustainable solid-state cooling and energy storage applications, with thermal energy transfer strongly dependent on strain and energy transfer optimization. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Innovative Synthesis and Applications of Functional Nanomaterials)

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17 pages, 2052 KB  

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Al₂O₃ Nanoparticles and Span-80 as Refrigerant Additives on Improving Cooling Performance of a Refrigeration System

by Davood Shirazi and Amir Homayoon Meghdadi Isfahani

Processes 2026, 14(4), 681; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr14040681 - 17 Feb 2026

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 452

Abstract

This study investigates the effect of R141b-Al₂O₃ nanorefrigerant with mass fractions of 0.1%, 0.3%, 0.5% and 0.9% (w/w%) on the refrigeration time, energy consumption and performance coefficient of a vapor compression refrigeration system (VCRS). The effects [...] Read more.

This study investigates the effect of R141b-Al₂O₃ nanorefrigerant with mass fractions of 0.1%, 0.3%, 0.5% and 0.9% (w/w%) on the refrigeration time, energy consumption and performance coefficient of a vapor compression refrigeration system (VCRS). The effects of span80 and Tween80 surfactants on the stability of the nanorefrigerant were also investigated, and the optimum sonication time required to prepare stable nanofluids was determined. The results showed that Span-80 is more effective than Tween 80 at producing a stable nanorefrigerant. Then, the effect of span80 surfactant on the efficiency of VCRS was investigated. The results showed that upon using the nanorefrigerant, COP increased by up to 214% compared to the pure refrigerant. Furthermore, using the nanorefrigerant with a surfactant improved the performance coefficient by 52% compared to the nanorefrigerant without a surfactant. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Innovative Synthesis and Applications of Functional Nanomaterials)

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24 pages, 4218 KB  

Open AccessArticle

Friction and Wear Performance of Carbon Nanotubes Reinforced Co-Based Atmospheric Plasma-Sprayed Coatings

by Ilias Georgiopoulos, Dimitra Giasafaki, Dia Andreouli and Chara I. Sarafoglou

Nanomanufacturing 2025, 5(4), 14; https://doi.org/10.3390/nanomanufacturing5040014 - 24 Sep 2025

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1482

Abstract

Atmospheric plasma spraying was used to create composite coatings employing mixed alloy matrices supplemented with carbon-based solid lubricants as feedstock materials. The current study’s goal was to examine the tribological properties of these coatings and explore the potential benefits of using CNTs as [...] Read more.

Atmospheric plasma spraying was used to create composite coatings employing mixed alloy matrices supplemented with carbon-based solid lubricants as feedstock materials. The current study’s goal was to examine the tribological properties of these coatings and explore the potential benefits of using CNTs as a nano-additive to minimize wear and friction while enhancing lubrication conditions in tribosystems such as piston ring–cylinder liner systems. Pin-on-disk measurements are used to correlate the chemical composition of feedstock materials with the friction coefficient and wear rate during coating operation. The enhanced behavior of the produced coatings is investigated. The anti-wear performance of Co-based cermet and metal alloys coatings, as well as the enhanced lubrication conditions during operation, are shown. In-depth discussion is provided regarding how the features of the feedstock powder affect the quality and performance of the produced coatings. The results showed that coatings based on the CoMo alloy exhibited an increase in wear due to CNT agglomeration. In contrast, CNT addition led to an improvement in bonding strength by up to 33%, a reduction in wear rate by up to 80%, and a decrease in the coefficient of friction from approximately 0.70 to 0.35 in CoNi cermet coatings. These findings demonstrate the role of CNTs in coating performance for demanding tribological applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Innovative Synthesis and Applications of Functional Nanomaterials)

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