Novel Functional Ceramics

A special issue of Inorganics (ISSN 2304-6740). This special issue belongs to the section "Inorganic Materials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2024 | Viewed by 15193

Special Issue Editors


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Physical Chemistry "Ilie Murgulescu", 202 Splaiul Independenţei, 060021 Bucharest, Romania
Interests: SiO2-ZnO materials; oxide systems obtained by sol-gel; ZnO-SnO-based ceramics; hybrid nanocomposites; oxide compounds and materials science
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
National Research & Development Institute for Non-ferrous and Rare Metals-INCDMR- IMNR, 102 Biruinţei Blvd, Pantelimon, 077145 Ilfov, Romania
Interests: advanced nanomaterials; functionalized textiles; coatings for special properties (corrosion resistance, antibacterial, self cleaning, etc); thin films; alloys with special properties and so on
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

There is currently a growing demand for new ceramics for applications in key industrial sectors (e.g., aerospace, semiconductors, clean energy, energy storage, cement, automotive, robotics, medicine). The common feature of these applications is a design strategy that offers high performance and lower energy consumption, which can be directly related to lower carbon emissions and multitasking. The concept applies especially to ceramics and composites.

The topics covered in this Special Issue include oxides in catalysis, microelectronics, energy production, energy storage, medicine and optics—both in pure and doped form, as well as in combination with other oxides. Ceramics with hydrophobic/hydrophilic properties and corrosion-resistant ceramics are also included. New systems with different functionalities, such as polymer/ceramic and ceramic/metal composites, etc. are also accepted.

New additive manufacturing technologies covering different oxide materials, such as 3D printing, selective laser sintering, rapid prototyping, rapid thermal annealing, chemical vapor deposition, and e-gun technology, are also welcome.

Dr. Oana-Cătălina Mocioiu
Dr. Ana-Maria Mocioiu
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. Inorganics is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly 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 2700 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

  • oxides
  • ceramics
  • nanomaterials
  • catalyst
  • sensors
  • semiconductors
  • antibacterial
  • 3D printing
  • SLS
  • RTA
  • thin-layer deposition
  • rapid prototyping

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Published Papers (6 papers)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

11 pages, 2022 KiB  
Article
Molten Bismuth–Bismuth/Zinc Oxide Composites for High-Temperature Thermal Energy Storage
by Cristina Maria Vladut, Daniel Lincu, Daniela Berger, Cristian Matei and Raul-Augustin Mitran
Inorganics 2024, 12(5), 126; https://doi.org/10.3390/inorganics12050126 - 23 Apr 2024
Viewed by 1388
Abstract
Thermal energy storage is at the leading edge of various applications, including waste heat recovery, solar storage and zero-energy buildings. Phase change materials (PCMs) can be utilized to store heat through reversible solid–liquid phase transitions. PCMs provide high energy storage capacity at a [...] Read more.
Thermal energy storage is at the leading edge of various applications, including waste heat recovery, solar storage and zero-energy buildings. Phase change materials (PCMs) can be utilized to store heat through reversible solid–liquid phase transitions. PCMs provide high energy storage capacity at a constant temperature. The volume change during the phase transition, on the other hand, causes inconsistency in crystallization and leakage, increasing the system’s complexity and shortening the lifetime of these materials. These shortcomings can be diminished by impregnation in a porous matrix or encapsulation with an inert shell, resulting in shape-stabilized PCMs that maintain their macroscopic shape during phase change. The synthesis and properties of Bi/ZnO nanocomposites were investigated in order to obtain shape-stabilized phase change materials. All samples consisted of metallic Bi and oxide, doped with 1–3% at. zinc. Heat storage capacities between 31 and 49 Jg−1 were obtained, depending on the mass fraction of the metal. All samples had good thermal reliability, retaining their heat storage properties after 50 consecutive heating–cooling cycles. An average oxide layer thickness of 75–100 nm is sufficient to prevent the molten metal leakage at temperatures above its melting point, resulting in shape-stabilized PCMs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Functional Ceramics)
Show Figures

Figure 1

10 pages, 5481 KiB  
Article
Self-Cleaning and Antibacterial Properties of the Cement Mortar with ZnO/Hydroxyapatite Powders
by Ana-Maria Mocioiu, Ileana Mohanu, Roxana Mioara Piticescu, Ioan Albert Tudor, Ionela Petre, Mihai Ghiță, Andreea Nicoleta Ghiță, Miruna Adriana Ioța, Nicoleta Vitan, Mădălin Enache and Simona Neagu
Inorganics 2022, 10(12), 241; https://doi.org/10.3390/inorganics10120241 - 5 Dec 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1814
Abstract
According to literature data, different micro- and nanopowders have been used as a partial substitute for cement mortar due to their small size and large specific surface area. The aim of the work is to develop innovative materials based on cement mortar with [...] Read more.
According to literature data, different micro- and nanopowders have been used as a partial substitute for cement mortar due to their small size and large specific surface area. The aim of the work is to develop innovative materials based on cement mortar with antibacterial and self-cleaning properties, which can be used in the long-term maintenance of clean spaces. First, zinc oxide/hydroxyapatite (ZnO/Hap) powder denoted as ZH was synthesized by the hydrothermal method; then it was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM)/ energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and adsorption–desorption isotherms. The second step was the cement mortar preparation: one plain, denoted E, and one with ZH powder inside, denoted MZH. Both mortars were subjected to self-cleaning and antibacterial tests. In the self-cleaning tests, two concentrated solutions of rhodamine B and methylene blue were used. MZH showed a better decolorating after 24 h of UV light than plain cement mortar denoted E for both solutions. In order to highlight the antibacterial effect of cement mortars on some strains of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, the direct contact method was used. The study revealed that, after 24 h of incubation, the planktonic growth of the E. coli strain is significantly inhibited in the presence of the MZH sample, compared to the control strain. MZH cement mortar exhibits a better growth inhibitory property than the plain cement mortar E. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Functional Ceramics)
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

14 pages, 4550 KiB  
Article
Ultrathin Films of Silver by Magnetron Sputtering
by Ana Violeta Filip, Bogdan Alexandru Sava, Rares Victor Medianu, Lucica Boroica, Marius Catalin Dinca, Rovena Pascu, Nicolae Tigau, Andreea Andrei, Antoniu Moldovan, Marius Dumitru, Mihai Oane and Mihai Eftimie
Inorganics 2022, 10(12), 235; https://doi.org/10.3390/inorganics10120235 - 2 Dec 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2343
Abstract
The interest in ultrathin silver (Ag) films has increased due to their high surface plasmon resonance for coatings of only a few nm. Low roughness ultrathin films of 1 to 9 nm have been deposited on different substrates, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) [...] Read more.
The interest in ultrathin silver (Ag) films has increased due to their high surface plasmon resonance for coatings of only a few nm. Low roughness ultrathin films of 1 to 9 nm have been deposited on different substrates, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and optical glass, using radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering. Films show good surface plasmon resonance up to 7 nm thickness, as revealed by the ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectra. The roughness of the films, investigated by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), is small, and one can conclude that depositions are smooth and homogeneous. The bandgap values decrease with film thickness. The refractive index of the films, calculated from ellipsometry measurements, leads to values of under 1 visible domain, with minima in the wavelength range of 400–600 nm. The results are useful for obtaining lower roughness ultrathin Ag films with good surface plasmon resonance for photonic applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Functional Ceramics)
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

6 pages, 2070 KiB  
Communication
Hydrothermal Synthesis of Layered Double Hydroxides Doped with Holmium, Thulium and Lutetium
by Sergei N. Golovin, Maksim N. Yapryntsev and Olga E. Lebedeva
Inorganics 2022, 10(12), 217; https://doi.org/10.3390/inorganics10120217 - 23 Nov 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1824
Abstract
For the first time, nickel-aluminum layered double hydroxides containing holmium, thulium or lutetium cations were successfully synthesized via the coprecipitation method followed by hydrothermal treatment. X-ray diffraction data show the formation of hydrotalcite-like structures with the absence of impurity phases. The presence of [...] Read more.
For the first time, nickel-aluminum layered double hydroxides containing holmium, thulium or lutetium cations were successfully synthesized via the coprecipitation method followed by hydrothermal treatment. X-ray diffraction data show the formation of hydrotalcite-like structures with the absence of impurity phases. The presence of lanthanides is confirmed by energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry. Assumed empirical formulae for these compounds are [Ni0.796Al0.193Ho0.011] [(NO3)0.204·yH2O], [Ni0.808Al0.178Tm0.015] [(NO3)0.193·yH2O] and [Ni0.765Al0.219Lu0.016] [(NO3)0.235·yH2O]. These novel layered compounds demonstrate the fundamental ability of doping hydrotalcite-like compounds with any lanthanide cation, which gives rise to the synthesis of new materials with specific properties. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Functional Ceramics)
Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 3380 KiB  
Article
A Simple Method to Obtain Protective Film against Acid Rain
by Ana-Maria Mocioiu, Diana-Irinel Băilă, Cosmin Iulian Codrea and Oana Cătălina Mocioiu
Inorganics 2022, 10(4), 44; https://doi.org/10.3390/inorganics10040044 - 31 Mar 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2750
Abstract
Acid rain is a major problem for animals, plants, buildings, and also for the top glass of photovoltaic (PV) solar panels and greenhouses. Air pollutants such as NOx, NH3, and H2S can mix with water in the atmosphere to [...] Read more.
Acid rain is a major problem for animals, plants, buildings, and also for the top glass of photovoltaic (PV) solar panels and greenhouses. Air pollutants such as NOx, NH3, and H2S can mix with water in the atmosphere to form acid rain. It was discovered that atmospheric water vapor adsorbed on the surface of glass can also lead to corrosion of the glass surface. The purpose of this work is to obtain a protective film for glasses used in different domains such as solar cells, windows, stained glass windows from historical buildings, etc. Thin film deposited on glass must be protective against acid rain, transparent in the visible domain with a band gap up to 3.2 eV, and have a vitreous structure (glass). Electron beam (e-gun) technology is a deposition technique for producing high-purity and dense coatings in a short time. It is well known that Ta2O5 is an oxide with anticorrosive properties, but it is expensive and cannot form glass by itself. ZnO is an oxide known as a glass former, exhibiting good optical properties. In this paper, a thin film obtained by the deposition of ZnO and Ta2O5 on a glass substrate using e-gun technology are studied. The simulated acid rain effect on the structure, morphology, and optical properties of thin films are studied after a 65% nitric acid attack on the surface. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern shows the vitreous state of the thin film with a composition 50%ZnO 50%Ta2O5 before and after the acid attack. The morphology, composition, and thickness of the film are investigated using scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/EDS) and profilometry. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Functional Ceramics)
Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 4572 KiB  
Article
A High-Performing Nanostructured Ir Doped-TiO2 for Efficient Photocatalytic Degradation of Gaseous Toluene
by Van Thi Thanh Ho, Dung Hung Chau, Khang Quang Bui, Ngan Thi Thanh Nguyen, Thi Kim Ngan Tran, Long Giang Bach and Son Nguyen Truong
Inorganics 2022, 10(3), 29; https://doi.org/10.3390/inorganics10030029 - 25 Feb 2022
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3600
Abstract
TiO2-based photocatalysts still have some limitations such as large bandgap and low surface area, leading to low efficiency in the photocatalytic degradation of VOCs and limiting it to use in sunlight. Here we report that the nanostructured Ir-doped TiO2 as [...] Read more.
TiO2-based photocatalysts still have some limitations such as large bandgap and low surface area, leading to low efficiency in the photocatalytic degradation of VOCs and limiting it to use in sunlight. Here we report that the nanostructured Ir-doped TiO2 as an efficient photocatalyst generates an excellent risk-reduction material of gaseous toluene. We have succeeded in developing a nanostructured Ir-doped TiO2 and initially found that excellent efficient photocatalytic VOC decomposition can be achieved in our materials The nanostructured Ir-doped TiO2 was synthesized by a one pot, low temperature hydrothermal process with different ratios of Ir doped into the TiO2. It exhibited a high surface area, uniformly spherical morphology of 10–15 nm. Its activity for the photocatalytic degradation of gaseous toluene exhibited up to 97.5% under UV light. This enhancement could be explained by iridium doping which created a high concentration oxygen vacancy and changed the recombination rate of the photogenerated charge carriers. More generally, our study indicates a strategic way to develop the novel nanostructured material for numerous applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Functional Ceramics)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop