Topic Editors

Prof. Dr. Robert A. Varin
Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
Dr. Tao Chen
Institute of Smart City and Intelligent Transportation, School of Chemistry, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China

Nanomaterials for Energy and Environmental Applications, 2nd Edition

Abstract submission deadline
31 July 2026
Manuscript submission deadline
31 October 2026
Viewed by
349

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Topic is a continuation of the previous successful Topic “Nanomaterials for Energy and Environmental Applications (https://www.mdpi.com/topics/O360KW50O1)”. Due to the magic size effect, materials with nanoscale dimensions or structures are advantageous in offering huge surface-to-volume ratios, favourable transport properties, altered physical properties, and confinement effects. Functional nanomaterials have been extensively studied for energy-related applications such as solar cells, catalysts, and electrochemical energy storage systems. Nanostructured materials benefit these applications by (1) providing a large surface area to boost the electrochemical reaction at the heterophase interface, (2) generating optical effects to improve optical absorption in solar cells, and (3) giving rise to a porous structure to facilitate the electron or ion transport and electrolyte diffusion, so as to ensure a high-efficiency electrochemical process. I invite you to submit manuscripts on topics including (but not limited to) the following:

  1. Nanomaterials for the future hydrogen economy (any aspect);
  2. Nanomaterials for renewable energy production and efficient storage;
  3. Nanomaterials for electrochemical energy conversion and storage systems;
  4. Nanomaterials for sustainable energy and environmental protection;
  5. Nanomaterials for a sustainable environment;
  6. Nanomaterials for water and wastewater treatment;
  7. Nanomaterials for future highly efficient solar cells and solar energy conversion;
  8. Technology for the synthesis of functional nanomaterials;
  9. New mechanisms relying on nanostructures;
  10. Understanding of the relationship between the device performance and the nanomaterial structure.

Prof. Dr. Robert A. Varin
Dr. Tao Chen
Topic Editors

Keywords

  • nanomaterials
  • energy
  • nanomanufacturing
  • electrochemical
  • carbon neutral
  • wastewater

Participating Journals

Journal Name Impact Factor CiteScore Launched Year First Decision (median) APC
Applied Sciences
applsci
2.5 5.5 2011 19.8 Days CHF 2400 Submit
Energies
energies
3.2 7.3 2008 16.2 Days CHF 2600 Submit
Materials
materials
3.2 6.4 2008 15.2 Days CHF 2600 Submit
Nanoenergy Advances
nanoenergyadv
- 9.0 2021 33.9 Days CHF 1000 Submit
Nanomaterials
nanomaterials
4.3 9.2 2010 15.4 Days CHF 2400 Submit

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Article
Ge4+ Stabilizes Cu1+ Active Sites to Synergistically Regulate the Interfacial Microenvironment for Electrocatalytic CO2 Reduction to Ethanol
by Xianlong Lu, Lili Wang, Hongtao Xie, Zhendong Li, Xiangfei Du and Bangwei Deng
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(21), 11420; https://doi.org/10.3390/app152111420 (registering DOI) - 24 Oct 2025
Abstract
Electrocatalytic conversion of CO2 to high-energy-density multicarbon products (C2+) offers a sustainable route for renewable energy storage and carbon neutrality. Precisely modulating Cu-based catalysts to enhance C2+ selectivity remains challenging due to uncontrollable reduction of Cuδ+ active sites. [...] Read more.
Electrocatalytic conversion of CO2 to high-energy-density multicarbon products (C2+) offers a sustainable route for renewable energy storage and carbon neutrality. Precisely modulating Cu-based catalysts to enhance C2+ selectivity remains challenging due to uncontrollable reduction of Cuδ+ active sites. Here, an efficient and stable Ge/Cu catalyst was developed for CO2 reduction to ethanol via Ge modification. A Cu2O/GeO2/Cu core–shell composite was constructed by controlling Ge doping. The structure–performance relationship was elucidated through in situ characterization and theoretical calculations. Ge4+ stabilized Cu1+ active sites and regulated the surface microenvironment via electronic effects. Ge modification simultaneously altered CO intermediate adsorption to promote asymmetric CO–CHO coupling, optimized water structure at the electrode/electrolyte interface, and inhibited over-reduction of Cuδ+. This multi-scale synergistic effect enabled a significant ethanol Faradaic efficiency enhancement (11–20%) over a wide potential range, demonstrating promising applicability for renewable energy conversion. This study provides a strategy for designing efficient ECR catalysts and offers mechanistic insights into interfacial engineering for C–C coupling in sustainable fuel production. Full article
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