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Nanomaterials
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Nanomaterials for Sustainable Green Energy
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Nanomaterials for Sustainable Green Energy

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2025 | Viewed by 9685

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Zhao Ding

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Materials Science and Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
Interests: nanomaterials; hydrogen storage materials; silicon metallurgy; WC cemented carbide
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Liangjuan Gao

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor Assistant
College of Materials Science and Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
Interests: nanomaterials; interfacial wetting; corrosion; molten salts

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Fossil energy is nonrenewable energy and is now depleting gradually. Furthermore, with the combustion of fossil energy, the pollution of the environment and the production of CO2 cause serious problems. Therefore, it is imperative to develop sustainable green energy to resolve these energy and environmental issues. Hydrogen is regarded as one of the most prospective sustainable energies due to its high energy density and burning without any pollutant generation. Water splitting has been used to generate hydrogen because water is extremely abundant in rivers and seas on Earth. In addition, solar energy is another option for sustainable green energy since solar energy is inexhaustible. A solar cell is a powerful means to utilize solar energy. The light transmission and surface wetting of the solar panel have significant influences on the efficiency of photovoltaic electricity conversion.          

This Special Issue focuses on the applications of nanomaterials for sustainable green energy. The topics that will be covered in this Special Issue include, but are not limited to, the following: hydrogen storage, CO2 capture, fossil fuel recovery, water splitting catalysts, solar cells, anti-reflective nanoparticle coating, and superhydrophobic nanoparticle coatings.

Nanomaterials is one of MDPI's esteemed open-access journals and holds an impact factor of 5.3 (2022), as indexed in the SCIE. Furthermore, all submissions will undergo rigorous peer review to ensure the highest quality of published content.

Thanks for your consideration in advance, and we eagerly await the possibility of collaborating with you on this transformative endeavor.

Dr. Zhao Ding
Guest Editor

Dr. Liangjuan Gao
Guest Editor Assistant

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.

Keywords

  • nanomaterials
  • hydrogen storage
  • CO2 capture
  • fossil fuel recovery
  • water splitting catalyst
  • anti-reflective
  • superhydrophobic

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 6088 KiB  
Article
Atomic Layer Deposition of Nickel Oxides as Electrocatalyst for Oxygen Evolution Reaction
by Jueyu Chen, Ruijie Dai, Hongwei Ma, Zhijie Lin, Yuanchao Li and Bin Xi
Nanomaterials 2025, 15(7), 474; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15070474 - 21 Mar 2025
Viewed by 292
Abstract
In this study, we present atomic layer deposition (ALD) of nickel oxides (NiOx) using a new nickel precursor, (methylcyclopentadienyl)(cyclopentadienyl)nickel (NiCp(MeCp)), and ozone (O3) as the oxygen source. The process features a relatively short saturation pulse of the precursor (NiCp(MeCp)) [...] Read more.
In this study, we present atomic layer deposition (ALD) of nickel oxides (NiOx) using a new nickel precursor, (methylcyclopentadienyl)(cyclopentadienyl)nickel (NiCp(MeCp)), and ozone (O3) as the oxygen source. The process features a relatively short saturation pulse of the precursor (NiCp(MeCp)) and a broad temperature window (150–250 °C) with a consistent growth rate of 0.39 Å per cycle. The NiOx film deposited at 250 °C primarily exhibits a polycrystalline cubic phase with minimal carbon contamination. Notably, the post-annealed ALD NiOx film demonstrates attractive electrocatalytic performance on the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) by providing a low overpotential of 320 mV at 10 mA cm−2, a low Tafel slope of 70.5 mV dec−1, and sufficient catalytic stability. These results highlight the potential of the ALD process using the NiCp(MeCp) precursor for the fabrication of high-activity catalysts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials for Sustainable Green Energy)
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16 pages, 5242 KiB  
Article
Microwave-Assisted Preparation of Hierarchical Porous Carbon Aerogels Derived from Food Wastes for Supercapacitors
by Zijun Dong, Tong Li, Xinghe Xu, Yi Chen, Jiemei Fu and Shichang Sun
Nanomaterials 2025, 15(5), 387; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15050387 - 2 Mar 2025
Viewed by 580
Abstract
Preparing carbon aerogel in an eco-friendly and inexpensive manner remains a significant challenge. The carbon aerogels derived from food waste (FWCAs) with a three-dimensional connected network structure are successfully synthesized using microwave radiation. The as-prepared FWCA-4 (The KOH/C ratio is 4) has a [...] Read more.
Preparing carbon aerogel in an eco-friendly and inexpensive manner remains a significant challenge. The carbon aerogels derived from food waste (FWCAs) with a three-dimensional connected network structure are successfully synthesized using microwave radiation. The as-prepared FWCA-4 (The KOH/C ratio is 4) has a large specific surface area (1470 m2/g), pore volume (0.634 m3/g), and a high degree of graphitization. Band-like lattice stripes with a spacing of 0.34 nm, corresponding to the graphite plane, are observed. A high specific capacitance of 314 F/g at 1.0 A/g and an excellent capacitance retention (>90% after 10,000 cycles) make the FWCA-4 suitable for high-performance supercapacitor electrode materials. Furthermore, the specific surface area and pore volume of FWCA-4 are larger and the degree of graphitization is higher than in ordinary porous carbon derived from food waste (FWPC). The assembled symmetrical solid capacitor from FWCA-4 exhibits a maximum energy density of approximately 179.9 W/kg in neutral ion electrolytes. Thus, food waste is successfully used to prepare carbon aerogels through a gelation process using microwave radiation. The recycling of waste biomass is achieved, and the results provide insights for the preparation of carbon aerogels using biomass. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials for Sustainable Green Energy)
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14 pages, 4195 KiB  
Article
The Effect of Molten Salt Composition on Carbon Structure: Preparation of High Value-Added Nano-Carbon Materials by Electrolysis of Carbon Dioxide
by Yi Cheng, Liangxing Li, Lirong Xue, Jiahang Wu, Jingsong Wang, Xilin Huang and Chunfa Liao
Nanomaterials 2025, 15(1), 53; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15010053 - 31 Dec 2024
Viewed by 1008
Abstract
The electrochemical conversion of CO2 into high value-added carbon materials by molten salt electrolysis offers a promising solution for reducing carbon dioxide emissions. This study focuses on investigating the influence of molten salt composition on the structure of CO2 direct electroreduction [...] Read more.
The electrochemical conversion of CO2 into high value-added carbon materials by molten salt electrolysis offers a promising solution for reducing carbon dioxide emissions. This study focuses on investigating the influence of molten salt composition on the structure of CO2 direct electroreduction carbon products in chloride molten salt systems. Using CaO as a CO2 absorber, the adsorption principle of CO2 in LiCl-CaCl2, LiCl-CaCl2-NaCl and LiCl-CaCl2-KCl molten salts was discussed, and the reasons for the different morphologies and structures of carbon products were analyzed, and it was found that the electrolytic efficiency of the whole process exceeded 85%. Furthermore, cathode products are analyzed through Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), X-Ray Diffractometer (XRD), Thermal Gravimetric Analyzer (TGA), Raman Spectra and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) techniques with a focus on the content and morphology of carbon elements. It was observed that the carbon content in the carbon powder produced by molten salt electrochemical method exceeded 99%, with most carbon products obtained from electrolysis in the Li-Ca chloride molten salt system being in the form of carbon nanotubes. In contrast, the Li-Ca-K chloride system yielded carbon nanospheres, while a mixture was found in the Li-Ca-Na chloride system. Therefore, experimental results demonstrate that altering the composition of the system allows for obtaining the desired product size and morphology. This research presents a pathway to convert atmospheric CO2 into high value-added carbon products. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials for Sustainable Green Energy)
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13 pages, 7273 KiB  
Article
Catalytic Methane Decomposition on In Situ Reduced FeCo Alloy Catalysts Derived from Layered Double Hydroxides
by Dianfeng Cao, Yuwen Li, Chao Lv, Yongtao An, Jiangfeng Song, Mingcan Li and Xin Zhang
Nanomaterials 2024, 14(22), 1831; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14221831 - 15 Nov 2024
Viewed by 792
Abstract
Catalytic methane decomposition (CMD) reaction is considered a promising process for converting greenhouse gas CH4 into hydrogen and high-value-added carbon materials. In this work, a series of Al2O3-supported FeCo alloy catalysts were successfully prepared in the CMD process. [...] Read more.
Catalytic methane decomposition (CMD) reaction is considered a promising process for converting greenhouse gas CH4 into hydrogen and high-value-added carbon materials. In this work, a series of Al2O3-supported FeCo alloy catalysts were successfully prepared in the CMD process. Compared to the pre-reduced catalysts, the in situ reduced FeCo alloy catalysts showed higher methane conversion rates, with the highest reaching 83% at 700 °C, due to the finer active nanoparticle size and greater exposure of active site. Furthermore, the time-on-stream tests demonstrated that the catalytic activity of in situ reduced FeCo alloy catalysts could remain above 92.3% of the highest catalytic activity after 10 h. In addition, TEM analyses of the carbon products from the CMD in situ reduced catalysts revealed the production of carbon nanofibers and nanotubes several microns in length after the reaction. This indicates that the in situ reduced FeCo alloy catalysts more effectively promoted the growth of carbon nanofibers. These results could provide a viable strategy for future methane decomposition development aimed at producing hydrogen and high-value carbon. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials for Sustainable Green Energy)
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13 pages, 2916 KiB  
Article
In Situ Transformed CoOOH@Co3S4 Heterostructured Catalyst for Highly Efficient Catalytic OER Application
by Abu Talha Aqueel Ahmed, Vijaya Gopalan Sree, Abhishek Meena, Akbar I. Inamdar, Hyunsik Im and Sangeun Cho
Nanomaterials 2024, 14(21), 1732; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14211732 - 29 Oct 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1035
Abstract
The deprived electrochemical kinetics of the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalyst is the prime bottleneck and remains the major obstacle in the water electrolysis processes. Herein, a facile hydrothermal technique was implemented to form a freestanding polyhedron-like Co3O4 on the [...] Read more.
The deprived electrochemical kinetics of the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalyst is the prime bottleneck and remains the major obstacle in the water electrolysis processes. Herein, a facile hydrothermal technique was implemented to form a freestanding polyhedron-like Co3O4 on the microporous architecture of Ni foam, its reaction kinetics enhanced through sulfide counterpart transformation in the presence of Na2S, and their catalytic OER performances comparatively investigated in 1 M KOH medium. The formed Co3S4 catalyst shows outstanding catalytic OER activity at a current density of 100 mA cm−2 by achieving a relatively low overpotential of 292 mV compared to the pure Co3O4 catalyst and the commercial IrO2 catalyst. This enhancement results from the improved active centers and conductivity, which boost the intrinsic reaction kinetics. Further, the optimized Co3S4 catalyst exhibits admirable prolonged durability up to 72 h at varied current rates with insignificant selectivity decay. The energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and Raman spectra measured after the prolonged OER stability test reveal a partial transformation of the active catalyst into an oxyhydroxide phase (i.e., CoOOH@Co3S4), which acts as an active catalyst phase during the electrolysis process. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials for Sustainable Green Energy)
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Review

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27 pages, 6996 KiB  
Review
Advanced Low-Dimensional Carbon Nanomaterials for Oxygen Electrocatalysis
by Yue Yan, Ying Xin and Qingshan Zhao
Nanomaterials 2025, 15(4), 254; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15040254 - 7 Feb 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1017
Abstract
Amid rising global energy demand and worsening environmental pollution, there is an urgent need for efficient energy storage and conversion technologies. Oxygen electrocatalytic reactions, specifically the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) are critical processes in these technologies. Low-dimensional [...] Read more.
Amid rising global energy demand and worsening environmental pollution, there is an urgent need for efficient energy storage and conversion technologies. Oxygen electrocatalytic reactions, specifically the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) are critical processes in these technologies. Low-dimensional carbon nanomaterials, including zero-dimensional carbon dots, one-dimensional carbon nanotubes, and two-dimensional graphene, demonstrate substantial potential in electrocatalysis due to their unique physical and chemical properties. On the one hand, these low-dimensional carbon materials feature distinct geometric structures that enable the customization of highly active sites for oxygen electrocatalysis. On the other hand, the sp2 hybridization present in these materials contributes to the existence of π electrons, which enhances conductivity and facilitates catalytic activity and stability. This article reviews recent advancements in the development of efficient catalysts for oxygen electrocatalysis based on low-dimensional carbon nanomaterials, focusing on their characteristics, synthesis methods, electrocatalytic performance, and applications in energy conversion devices. Additionally, we address the current challenges faced by these nanomaterials and outline future research directions to expedite their practical applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials for Sustainable Green Energy)
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24 pages, 2658 KiB  
Review
Advances and Prospects of Nanomaterials for Solid-State Hydrogen Storage
by Yaohui Xu, Yuting Li, Liangjuan Gao, Yitao Liu and Zhao Ding
Nanomaterials 2024, 14(12), 1036; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14121036 - 16 Jun 2024
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 4086
Abstract
Hydrogen energy, known for its high energy density, environmental friendliness, and renewability, stands out as a promising alternative to fossil fuels. However, its broader application is limited by the challenge of efficient and safe storage. In this context, solid-state hydrogen storage using nanomaterials [...] Read more.
Hydrogen energy, known for its high energy density, environmental friendliness, and renewability, stands out as a promising alternative to fossil fuels. However, its broader application is limited by the challenge of efficient and safe storage. In this context, solid-state hydrogen storage using nanomaterials has emerged as a viable solution to the drawbacks of traditional storage methods. This comprehensive review delves into the recent advancements in nanomaterials for solid-state hydrogen storage, elucidating the fundamental principles and mechanisms, highlighting significant material systems, and exploring the strategies of surface and interface engineering alongside catalytic enhancement. We also address the primary challenges and provide future perspectives on the development of nanomaterial-based hydrogen storage technologies. Key discussions include the role of nanomaterial size effects, surface modifications, nanocomposites, and nanocatalysts in optimizing storage performance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials for Sustainable Green Energy)
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