Structural, Magnetic, and Catalytic Evaluation of Ferrite-Based Nanomaterials and Nanocomposites

Dear Colleagues,

Nowadays, the most significant concerns for the environment are raised by the increasing worldwide pollution and energy issues. Hence, new techniques, policies, and routes have been proposed to resolve such difficulties. Materials science could be one of the most crucial areas to protect the environment.

Semiconductors have unique characteristics that allow them to be used in broad catalytic applications, such as water purification systems, wastewater treatment from pollutants, solar energy conversion, hydrogen production, self-cleaning surfaces, and so on. Catalysis investigations employing semiconducting nanomaterials have gained increasing interest. Yearly, researchers worldwide design new catalytic nanomaterials and modify existing ones to optimize their performance, such as the creation of reactive oxygen species, which are active under visible light, enhanced charge carrier recombination, enhanced mass transfer, etc. Nevertheless, one of the main challenges is the separation of the utilized nanomaterials from the processed suspension. Hence, materials with magnetic characteristics have been suggested as vital parts of catalytic nanocomposites that could facilitate the separation and recovery of the nano-catalysts when applying an external magnetic field. This implies that the separated nanomaterials should be bifunctional, where both catalytic and magnetic features co-exist. Spinel ferrite, hexaferrite, and other ferrite-based nanomaterials have been identified as the most potential magnetic materials to be employed for this purpose.

Spinel ferrite, hexaferrite, and some other ferrite-based nanomaterials have been fostered as unique classes of multipurpose nanomaterials because of their tunable optical, electrical, dielectric, microwave, and magnetic characteristics, making them suitable for a wide range of applications. Controlling the composition, structure, size, morphology, shape, etc., leads to the easy tuning of these physical properties. Furthermore, combining these magnetic nanomaterials with popular semiconducting nanomaterials or other oxide nanomaterials and/or polymers in different configurations (like core/shell, multilayered structure, mixtures, etc.) could also lead to the development of nanocomposites with much enhanced catalytic activities and chemical stabilities. In addition, computational simulations and theoretical calculations in the field of catalysis are still challenging. Thus, it is crucial to further expand this line of work regarding photo-oxidation processes and the characteristics of nanocatalysts’ separation after processing.

Therefore, research devoted to the design, development, and characterization of innovative and promising nanomaterials and nanocomposites as efficient catalysts using eco-friendly and cost-effective synthesis methods should receive considerable interest. Accordingly, this Special Issue focuses on, but is not limited to:

• The synthesis of spinel ferrite, hexaferrite, and other ferrite-based nanomaterials and nanocomposites;
• The chemical and physical characterization of the structure, morphology, and microstructure;
• Magnetic properties of spinel ferrite, hexaferrite, and other ferrite-based nanomaterials and nanocomposites;
• Optical properties of spinel ferrite, hexaferrite, and other ferrite-based nanomaterials and nanocomposites;
• The catalytic evaluation of these magnetic spinel ferrites, hexaferrite, and other ferrite-basecd nanomaterials and nanocomposites;
• Computational and theoretical investigations of the thermodynamics, mechanisms, and kinetics of the catalytic reaction;
• The current state-of-the-art use of magnetic spinel ferrite, hexaferrite, and other ferrite-based nanomaterials and nanocomposites in catalysis.        

This special issue welcomes contributions from leading authors/groups in the field with original articles, review articles, and short communications.

Prof. Dr. Yassine Slimani
Dr. Hannechi Essia
Guest Editors

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• spinel ferrite nanomaterials and nanocomposites
• hexaferrite nanomaterials and nanocomposites
• ferrite-based nanomaterials and nanocomposites
• magnetic properties
• optical properties
• catalysis
• photocatalysis
• catalysis mechanisms and kinetics
• environmental remediation applications
• energy production
• biological activity
• magnetic separation, recyclability, and reusability