Hybrid Nanomaterials and/or Nanocomposites for Photo(Electro-) Catalytic Applications

A special issue of Nanomaterials (ISSN 2079-4991). This special issue belongs to the section "Energy and Catalysis".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2025 | Viewed by 1554

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
Interests: catalytic materials
School of Science, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
Interests: reaction kinetics; electrocatalytic reactions; water splitting; fuel cells; rechargeable batteries

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Guest Editor
School of Chemistry and Materials, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550001, China
Interests: porous materials; electrocatalysis

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Advanced nanomaterials with precisely defined structures have garnered considerable attention due to their remarkable properties and diverse applications. However, while single nanostructured materials offer simplicity and specific properties, there is a growing need to incorporate enhanced properties and multiple functionalities into a single nanostructured system. As a result, research on hybrid nanomaterials and nanocomposites has gained significant momentum in recent years, driven by their multifunctional properties and potential applications in fields such as energy conversion, sensors, and catalysis. Compared to individual components, hybrid nanomaterials and nanocomposites comprising multiple components offer a highly promising approach for integrating desired structures or properties into a single nanoscale entity. These nanostructures or nanoparticles can consist of the same or different materials and are typically integrated using controlled synthesis methods. They often exhibit superior performance, benefiting from the combination of multiple functionalities and synergistic effects at the nanoscale, thereby addressing limitations encountered in emerging applications, particularly in photo(electro-) catalysis, such as enhanced catalytic activity, stability, and selectivity.

The present Special Issue of Nanomaterials aims to showcase the current state-of-the-art in the use of hybrid nanomaterials and/or nanocomposites in photo(electro-) catalytic applications. Hybrid nanomaterials and nanocomposites represent a natural progression in the effective tailoring, processing, and utilization of functional nanoparticles for real-world applications, bridging both inorganic and organic materials. Whether prepared by physical or chemical means, the design of such hybrids and composites directly influences their structure and properties for desired applications, thereby creating new materials of interest from both applied and fundamental perspectives. In this Special Issue, we invite contributions of research articles, review articles, and short communications from leading groups in the field, with the aim of providing new insights into the transition from materials design to photo(electro-) catalysis at the current forefront of this discipline.

Dr. Yang Fu
Dr. Peng Li
Dr. Zhongjie Yang
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • nanomaterials
  • hybrids
  • nanocomposites
  • photocatalysis
  • electrocatalysis

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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22 pages, 5794 KiB  
Article
Hydrothermal and Co-Precipitation Combined with Photo-Reduced Preparation of Ag/AgBr/MgBi2O6 Composites for Visible Light Degradation Toward Organics
by Hsin-Yi Huang, Mudakazhi Kanakkithodi Arun, Sabu Thomas, Mei-Yao Wu, Tsunghsueh Wu and Yang-Wei Lin
Nanomaterials 2024, 14(23), 1865; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14231865 - 21 Nov 2024
Viewed by 678
Abstract
This study developed a MgBi2O6-based photocatalyst via low-temperature hydrothermal synthesis. AgBr was co-precipitated onto MgBi2O6, and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were photo-reduced onto the surface. The photocatalytic performance, assessed by methylene blue (MB) degradation under white-light [...] Read more.
This study developed a MgBi2O6-based photocatalyst via low-temperature hydrothermal synthesis. AgBr was co-precipitated onto MgBi2O6, and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were photo-reduced onto the surface. The photocatalytic performance, assessed by methylene blue (MB) degradation under white-light LED irradiation (2.5 W, power density = 0.38 W/cm2), showed that Ag/AgBr/MgBi2O6 achieved 98.6% degradation in 40 min, outperforming MgBi2O6 (37.5%) and AgBr/MgBi2O6 (85.5%). AgNPs boosted electron-hole separation via surface plasmon resonance, reducing recombination. A Z-scheme photocatalytic mechanism was suggested, where photogenerated carriers transferred across the p–n heterojunction between AgBr and MgBi2O6, producing reactive oxygen species like superoxide and hydroxyl radicals critical for dye degradation. Thus, the Ag/AgBr/MgBi2O6 composites possessed excellent photocatalytic performance regarding dyestuff degradation (85.8–99.9% degradation within 40 min) under white-light LED irradiation. Full article
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Review

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39 pages, 8559 KiB  
Review
Application of Nanocomposites in Covalent Organic Framework-Based Electrocatalysts
by Haiping Zhou, Kechang Li, Qingqing Pan, Zhongmin Su and Rui Wang
Nanomaterials 2024, 14(23), 1907; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14231907 - 27 Nov 2024
Viewed by 483
Abstract
In recent years, the development of high-performance electrocatalysts for energy conversion and environmental remediation has become a topic of great interest. Covalent organic frameworks (COFs), linked by covalent bonds, have emerged as promising materials in the field of electrocatalysis due to their well-defined [...] Read more.
In recent years, the development of high-performance electrocatalysts for energy conversion and environmental remediation has become a topic of great interest. Covalent organic frameworks (COFs), linked by covalent bonds, have emerged as promising materials in the field of electrocatalysis due to their well-defined structures, high specific surface areas, tunable pore structures, and excellent acid–base stability. However, the low conductivity of COF materials often limits their intrinsic electrocatalytic activity. To enhance the catalytic performance of COF-based catalysts, various nanomaterials are integrated into COFs to form composite catalysts. The stable and tunable porous structure of COFs provides an ideal platform for these nanomaterials, leading to improved electrocatalytic activity. Through rational design, COF-based composite electrocatalysts can achieve synergistic effects between nanomaterials and the COF carrier, enabling efficient targeted electrocatalysis. This review summarizes the applications of nanomaterial-incorporated COF-based catalysts in hydrogen evolution, oxygen evolution, oxygen reduction, carbon dioxide reduction, and nitrogen reduction. Additionally, it outlines design principles for COF-based composite electrocatalysis, focusing on structure–activity relationships and synergistic effects in COF composite nanomaterial electrocatalysts, as well as challenges and future perspectives for next-generation composite electrocatalysts. Full article
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