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Gels
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Designing Gels for Catalysts
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Designing Gels for Catalysts

A special issue of Gels (ISSN 2310-2861). This special issue belongs to the section "Gel Applications".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 July 2025 | Viewed by 11389

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Yuesheng Li

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Hubei Key Laboratory of Radiation Chemistry and Functional Materials, Non-Power Nuclear Technology Collaborative Innovation Center, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning 437100, China
Interests: intelligent hydrogel; photocatalysis; radiation technology and functional material preparation; deep processing and high-value development of agricultural and forestry products
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Xiaojie Yang

E-Mail Website
Co-Guest Editor
Hubei Key Laboratory of Radiation Chemistry and Functional Materials, Non-Power Nuclear Technology Collaborative Innovation Center, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning 437100, China
Interests: intelligent hydrogel; photocatalysis; radiation technology and functional material preparation; photoelectric functional materials and devices
Dr. Jun Xing

E-Mail Website
Co-Guest Editor
Hubei Key Laboratory of Radiation Chemistry and Functional Materials, Non-Power Nuclear Technology Collaborative Innovation Center, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning 437100, China
Interests: intelligent hydrogel; photocatalysis; construction of functional nanomaterials and their biological effects
Dr. Yiwan Huang

E-Mail Website
Co-Guest Editor
Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Green Materials for Light Industry, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China
Interests: tough hydrogel; composite hydrogel; structure-property relationship; functional hydrogel; toughening and strengthening mechanism
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Hydrogels, which are usually composed of colloidal particles or gel factors, are a kind of condensed matter with a three-dimensional network space structure filled with a dispersion medium. Hydrogels not only have a porous structure and high specific surface area but also have active functional groups such as hydroxyl, carboxyl, and amino groups on the surface of the hydrogel network, which is conducive to the coordination (or loading) of functional groups, ions, and nanoparticles. It has great application value in the fields of photocatalysis, hydrogel-based photocatalysts, gel design, etc. Therefore, it is particularly important to study the synthesis methods, performances, and structures of hydrogels, which provides a reference for the design, synthesis, and further development and utilization of hydrogels in Catalysts.

Prof. Dr. Yuesheng Li
Dr. Xiaojie Yang
Dr. Jun Xing
Dr. Yiwan Huang
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. Gels 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 2100 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
  • hydrogel-based photocatalyst
  • gel design

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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28 pages, 10057 KiB  
Article
Composite Photocatalysts with Fe, Co, and Ni Oxides on Supports with Tetracoordinated Ti Embedded into Aluminosilicate Gel during Zeolite Y Synthesis
by Gabriela Petcu, Elena Maria Anghel, Irina Atkinson, Daniela C. Culita, Nicoleta G. Apostol, Andrei Kuncser, Florica Papa, Adriana Baran, Jean-Luc Blin and Viorica Parvulescu
Gels 2024, 10(2), 129; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels10020129 - 5 Feb 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1559
Abstract
Ti-aluminosilicate gels were used as supports for the immobilization of Fe, Co, and Ni oxides (5%) by impregnation and synthesis of efficient photocatalysts for the degradation of β-lactam antibiotics from water. Titanium oxide (1 and 2%) was incorporated into the zeolite network by [...] Read more.
Ti-aluminosilicate gels were used as supports for the immobilization of Fe, Co, and Ni oxides (5%) by impregnation and synthesis of efficient photocatalysts for the degradation of β-lactam antibiotics from water. Titanium oxide (1 and 2%) was incorporated into the zeolite network by modifying the gel during the zeolitization process. The formation of the zeolite Y structure and its microporous structure were evidenced by X-ray diffraction and N2 physisorption. The structure, composition, reduction, and optical properties were studied by X-ray diffraction, H2-TPR, XPS, Raman, photoluminescence, and UV–Vis spectroscopy. The obtained results indicated a zeolite Y structure for all photocatalysts with tetracoordinated Ti4+ sites. The second transitional metals supported by the post-synthesis method were obtained in various forms, such as oxides and/or in the metallic state. A red shift of the absorption edge was observed in the UV–Vis spectra of photocatalysts upon the addition of Fe, Co, or Ni species. The photocatalytic performances were evaluated for the degradation of cefuroxime in water under visible light irradiation. The best results were obtained for iron-immobilized photocatalysts. Scavenger experiments explained the photocatalytic results and their mechanisms. A different contribution of the active species to the photocatalytic reactions was evidenced. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Designing Gels for Catalysts)
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19 pages, 8164 KiB  
Article
Cellulose Fabrics Functionalized with Sol–Gel Photocatalytic Coatings Based on Iron (III) Phthalocyanine Tetracarboxylic Acids–TiO2–Silica Hybrids
by Alina Raditoiu, Valentin Raditoiu, Monica Florentina Raduly, Augusta Raluca Gabor, Adriana Nicoleta Frone, Maria Grapin and Mihai Anastasescu
Gels 2023, 9(11), 860; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels9110860 - 30 Oct 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1518
Abstract
Photocatalytic coatings are difficult to obtain on textile materials because of the sometimes contradictory properties that must be achieved. In order to obtain a high efficiency of a photocatalytic effect, the metal–oxide semiconductor must be found in the vicinity of the coating–air interface [...] Read more.
Photocatalytic coatings are difficult to obtain on textile materials because of the sometimes contradictory properties that must be achieved. In order to obtain a high efficiency of a photocatalytic effect, the metal–oxide semiconductor must be found in the vicinity of the coating–air interface in order to come into direct contact with the contaminant species and allow light radiation access to its surface. Another necessary condition is related to the properties of the covering textile material as well as to the stability of the xerogel films to light and wet treatments. In this sense, we proposed a solution based on hybrid silica films generated by sol–gel processes, coatings that contain as a photocatalyst TiO2 sensitized with tetracarboxylic acid of iron (III) phthalocyanine (FeTCPc). The coatings were made by the pad–dry–cure process, using in the composition a bifunctional anchoring agent (3-glycidoxipropyltrimethoxysilane, GLYMO), a crosslinking agent (sodium tetraborate, BORAX), and a catalyst (N-methylimidazole, MIM) for the polymerization of epoxy groups. The photodegradation experiments performed on methylene blue (MB), utilized as a model contaminant, using LED or xenon arc as light sources, showed that the treatment with BORAX improves the resistance of the coatings to wet treatments but worsens their photocatalytic performances. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Designing Gels for Catalysts)
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19 pages, 5424 KiB  
Article
Comparative Study of MgO Nanopowders Prepared by Different Chemical Methods
by Ligia Todan, Luminița Predoană, Gabriela Petcu, Silviu Preda, Daniela Cristina Culiță, Adriana Băran, Roxana-Doina Trușcă, Vasile-Adrian Surdu, Bogdan Ștefan Vasile and Adelina-Carmen Ianculescu
Gels 2023, 9(8), 624; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels9080624 - 2 Aug 2023
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1827
Abstract
Magnesium oxide (MgO) was synthesized by three different methods: the sol–gel (SG), microwave-assisted sol–gel (MW), and hydrothermal (HT) methods for comparing the influence of the preparation conditions on the properties of the products. The powders were annealed at 450 °C. The samples were [...] Read more.
Magnesium oxide (MgO) was synthesized by three different methods: the sol–gel (SG), microwave-assisted sol–gel (MW), and hydrothermal (HT) methods for comparing the influence of the preparation conditions on the properties of the products. The powders were annealed at 450 °C. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM/HRTEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), BET specific surface area and porosity, photoluminescence, and UV–Vis spectroscopy. The samples consisted mainly of periclase as a crystalline phase, and the MW and HT preparation methods generated particles with higher specific surface areas. The powders had less-defined morphologies and high levels of aggregation. The optical band gaps of the samples were determined from UV DRS, and the photocatalytic activities of the magnesium oxides obtained by the three methods towards the degradation of methyl orange (MO) under UV light irradiation was evaluated. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Designing Gels for Catalysts)
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22 pages, 7035 KiB  
Article
Effects of Aluminosilicate Gel Treatment and TiO2 Loading on Photocatalytic Properties of Au–TiO2/Zeolite Y
by Gabriela Petcu, Florica Papa, Elena Maria Anghel, Irina Atkinson, Silviu Preda, Simona Somacescu, Daniela C. Culita, Adriana Baran, Elena Madalina Ciobanu, Luiza Maria Jecu, Mariana Constantin and Viorica Parvulescu
Gels 2023, 9(6), 503; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels9060503 - 20 Jun 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1945
Abstract
The present work reports the synthesis of efficient Ti–Au/zeolite Y photocatalysts by different processing of aluminosilicate gel and studies the effect of titania content on the structural, morphological, textural, and optical properties of the materials. The best characteristics of zeolite Y were obtained [...] Read more.
The present work reports the synthesis of efficient Ti–Au/zeolite Y photocatalysts by different processing of aluminosilicate gel and studies the effect of titania content on the structural, morphological, textural, and optical properties of the materials. The best characteristics of zeolite Y were obtained by aging the synthesis gel in static conditions and mixing the precursors under magnetic stirring. Titania (5, 10, 20%) and gold (1%) species were incorporated in zeolite Y support by the post-synthesis method. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, N2-physisorption, SEM, Raman, UV–Vis and photoluminescence spectroscopy, XPS, H2-TPR, and CO2-TPD. The photocatalyst with the lowest TiO2 loading shows only metallic Au on the outermost surface layer, while a higher content favors the formation of additional species such as: cluster type Au, Au1+, and Au3+. A high TiO2 content contributes to increasing the lifetime of photogenerated charge careers, and the adsorption capacity of the pollutant. Therefore, an increase in the photocatalytic performances (evaluated in degradation of amoxicillin in water under UV and visible light) was evidenced with the titania content. The effect is more significant in visible light due to the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) effect of gold interacting with the supported titania. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Designing Gels for Catalysts)
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16 pages, 4431 KiB  
Article
Polymeric Networks Containing Amine Derivatives as Organocatalysts for Knoevenagel Reaction within Continuously Driven Microfluidic Reactors
by Naresh Killi, Julian Bartenbach and Dirk Kuckling
Gels 2023, 9(3), 171; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels9030171 - 21 Feb 2023
Viewed by 1839
Abstract
The Knoevenagel reaction is a classic reaction in organic chemistry for the formation of C-C bonds. In this study, various catalytic monomers for Knoevenagel reactions were synthesized and polymerized via photolithography to form polymeric gel dots with a composition of 90% catalyst, 9% [...] Read more.
The Knoevenagel reaction is a classic reaction in organic chemistry for the formation of C-C bonds. In this study, various catalytic monomers for Knoevenagel reactions were synthesized and polymerized via photolithography to form polymeric gel dots with a composition of 90% catalyst, 9% gelling agent and 1% crosslinker. Furthermore, these gel dots were inserted into a microfluidic reactor (MFR) and the conversion of the reaction using gel dots as catalysts in the MFR for 8 h at room temperature was studied. The gel dots containing primary amines showed a better conversion of about 83–90% with aliphatic aldehyde and 86–100% with aromatic aldehyde, compared to the tertiary amines (52–59% with aliphatic aldehyde and 77–93% with aromatic aldehydes) which resembles the reactivity of the amines. Moreover, the addition of polar solvent (water) in the reaction mixture and the swelling properties of the gel dots by altering the polymer backbone showed a significant enhancement in the conversion of the reaction, due to the increased accessibility of the catalytic sites in the polymeric network. These results suggested the primary-amine-based catalysts facilitate better conversion compared to tertiary amines and the reaction solvent had a significant influence on organocatalysis to improve the efficiency of MFR. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Designing Gels for Catalysts)
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Review

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27 pages, 6239 KiB  
Review
Controllable Preparation and Research Progress of Photosensitive Antibacterial Complex Hydrogels
by Zhijun Wang, Lili Fu, Dongliang Liu, Dongxu Tang, Kun Liu, Lu Rao, Jinyu Yang, Yi Liu, Yuesheng Li, Huangqin Chen and Xiaojie Yang
Gels 2023, 9(7), 571; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels9070571 - 13 Jul 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1874
Abstract
Hydrogels are materials consisting of a network of hydrophilic polymers. Due to their good biocompatibility and hydrophilicity, they are widely used in biomedicine, food safety, environmental protection, agriculture, and other fields. This paper summarizes the typical complex materials of photocatalysts, photosensitizers, and hydrogels, [...] Read more.
Hydrogels are materials consisting of a network of hydrophilic polymers. Due to their good biocompatibility and hydrophilicity, they are widely used in biomedicine, food safety, environmental protection, agriculture, and other fields. This paper summarizes the typical complex materials of photocatalysts, photosensitizers, and hydrogels, as week as their antibacterial activities and the basic mechanisms of photothermal and photodynamic effects. In addition, the application of hydrogel-based photoresponsive materials in microbial inactivation is discussed, including the challenges faced in their application. The advantages of photosensitive antibacterial complex hydrogels are highlighted, and their application and research progress in various fields are introduced in detail. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Designing Gels for Catalysts)
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