Multifunctional Nanomaterials: Innovations in Energy Harvesting, Biological Applications, and Environmental Remediation

Dear Colleagues,

Nanomaterials have emerged as versatile platforms with significant potential across various scientific and industrial domains. This Special Issue will focus on the latest advancements and interdisciplinary applications of multifunctional nanomaterials in three key areas: energy harvesting and storage, biological systems, and environmental remediation. Researchers are invited to submit original research articles, comprehensive reviews, and insightful perspectives on cutting-edge developments in these fields.

Key Areas of Interest:

Nanomaterials in Energy Harvesting and Storage:

• The role of nanomaterials such as graphene, MXenes, and quantum dots in enhancing the performance of next-generation energy systems, including solar cells, supercapacitors, and batteries;
• The development of nanostructured catalysts for hydrogen production through photocatalytic water splitting and electrocatalysis for fuel cells;
• Advances in thermoelectric nanomaterials and piezoelectric nanogenerators for sustainable energy harvesting from waste heat or mechanical motion.

Nanomaterials for Biological Applications:

• Exploration of nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems, including liposomes, dendrimers, and polymeric nanoparticles for targeted therapies, particularly in cancer treatment and gene therapy;
• Utilization of nanomaterials for vaccine delivery, such as lipid nanoparticles for mRNA vaccines, and their impact on next-generation immunotherapies;
• Nanostructured scaffolds and hydrogels in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, enabling precise cellular growth and differentiation for bone, neural, and cardiac tissue repair;
• Assessment of nanomaterials’ interactions with biological systems, focusing on their biocompatibility, toxicity, and long-term effects in medical applications.

Nanomaterials for Environmental Remediation:

• Applications of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), carbon-based nanomaterials (e.g., graphene oxide), and semiconductor nanomaterials in water purification, targeting the removal of heavy metals, organic pollutants, and microplastics;
• Nanocatalysts for air pollution control and carbon dioxide (CO₂) reduction, offering innovative pathways for cleaner air and mitigating climate change;
• The development of nanomaterials for oil spill recovery and soil remediation, focusing on scalable and sustainable solutions to environmental pollution;
• Investigations of the toxicity and environmental impact of nanomaterials, highlighting safety concerns and strategies for minimizing negative ecological effects.

Submission Topics: We welcome contributions that include, but are not limited to:

• The synthesis, characterization, and functionalization of advanced nanomaterials;
• Nanomaterials in renewable energy technologies (solar, hydrogen, and bioenergy);
• Biocompatible nanomaterials for diagnostics, therapeutics, and regenerative medicine;
• Multifunctional nanomaterials for integrated water, air, and soil remediation;
• Computational modeling and theoretical insights into nanomaterial properties and interactions. 

Dr. Tapas K. Mandal
Dr. Nargish Parvin
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. Nanomaterials is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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 2400 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.

• energy harvesting
• nanomaterials for drug delivery
• biocompatible nanoparticles
• lipid nanoparticles in medicine
• nanotechnology in tissue engineering
• environmental remediation