Recent Advances in Graphene and Other Two-Dimensional Materials
This Reprint spans a broad and interdisciplinary spectrum of topics in graphene and two-dimensional materials science, while naturally converging into four coherent thematic areas that reflect the current frontiers of the field. The first theme focuses on the development of graphene nanoribbons, ranging from advanced modeling approaches to the realization of functional devices with tailored electronic and transport properties. The second area addresses the properties and applications of graphene oxide and reduced graphene oxide, highlighting their structural, chemical, and functional versatility across diverse technological domains. The third theme explores graphene-based silicon heterostructures, with particular emphasis on optoelectronic applications and interface-driven phenomena. Finally, this Reprint extends beyond graphene to encompass emerging two-dimensional materials, offering new perspectives on novel physical properties and device concepts.
Featured Papers in Inorganic Materials 2025
Due to the success of the first edition of this Special Issue, entitled "Featured Papers in Inorganic Materials 2024", published in 2025, and the high level of interest in this topic, the Editors decided to launch the second edition of this Special Issue, entitled "Featured Papers in Inorganic Materials 2025". This edition forms a part of a series aimed at continuing the discussion on recent advancements in the field of functional inorganic materials for a "green" and sustainable future. It places a specific focus on describing the production of inorganic materials following alternative eco-friendly methods, new protocols and strategies for the reuse of inorganic materials, and newly emerging areas of interest involving the sustainable use of inorganic materials.
Two-Dimensional Materials
Building on the success of the first edition, "Two-Dimensional Materials: From Synthesis to Applications, 2nd Edition" presents a focused collection of recent advances in the science and engineering of low-dimensional materials. This reprint brings together original research and reviews that span fundamental electronic and magnetic properties, controlled synthesis, heterostructure design, energy storage, optoelectronics, catalysis, environmental remediation, and advanced characterization techniques. The volume highlights how atomic-scale structure, defects, interfaces, and dimensional confinement can be exploited to tailor transport, optical response, electrochemical activity, and surface reactivity. By integrating theoretical modeling with experimental realization and device-level demonstrations, this collection illustrates the rapid transition of two-dimensional materials from laboratory concepts to functional components in electronics, sensing, energy, and environmental technologies. Intended for researchers, graduate students, and engineers working in materials science, physics, chemistry, and nanotechnology, this reprint offers both a snapshot of the current state of the field and a guide to emerging directions shaping future applications of two-dimensional materials.
Hydration of Ions in Aqueous Solution
The hydration of ions is of significant importance in understanding the properties of electrolyte solutions. Techniques such as Raman, infrared, dielectric relaxation, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy; X-ray and neutron diffraction; ultrasonic absorption; and ab initio, density functional, and molecular dynamics calculations have all contributed to the understanding of the hydration of ions over the years. In addition, mass spectrometry of sequentially hydrated ions helps us bridge the gap between gas-phase and solution phase, in the same way that crystal structure determination of aqua complexes bridges the gap between solid phase and solution phase. This collection, consisting of two reviews and eight original research articles, further advances our understanding of ions in water.
Biological Activity of Metal Complexes
This Reprint assembles research and review articles examining the biological activity of metal complexes through integrated synthetic, structural, and mechanistic approaches. The contributions highlight how coordination environment, ligand architecture, and electronic structure govern interactions with biomolecular targets, cellular systems, and complex biological media. Across diverse platforms-including rhenium, manganese, chromium, palladium, zinc, and gallium complexes-the studies emphasize quantitative structure-activity relationships, DNA and protein binding behavior, photodynamic performance, imaging capabilities, and chemical fate under physiological conditions.By combining rigorous physicochemical characterization with biological evaluation, this Reprint underscores the central role played by coordination chemistry in advancing therapeutic, diagnostic, and mechanistic understanding of metal-based systems in biology.
Design and Application of Combined Catalysis
As an efficient and powerful tool, green catalysis is widely used in the catalytic production of various compounds in different fields. Recently, more efficient catalysts and/or novel strategies were developed to improve catalytic efficiency and reduce the catalysis cost. Among them, combinatorial catalysis allows the exploration of innovative chemical reactions, whereas the single-catalysis mode alone results in a poor reaction with low efficiency or even fails in promoting a reaction. This Special Issue, titled "Design and Application of Combined Catalysis", highlights the expanding role of combinatorial catalysis in addressing the inefficiencies of single-catalytic modes and reducing catalysis costs across diverse fields. Bringing together advances in catalyst design, innovative synthesis strategies, and mechanistic insights into multi-catalysis synergy, this Special Issue exhibits the dynamic evolution of combinatorial catalysis systems. Beyond showcasing technical progress, it underscores the importance of combinatorial catalysis as a key tool for achieving efficient compound production through sustainable approaches. The research presented in this Special Issue vividly demonstrates how the synergistic interplay between different catalysts can lead to remarkable enhancements in activity, stability, and selectivity, thereby paving the way for more sustainable and economically viable chemical processes.
Mechanical Behavior of Polymeric Materials
This Special Issue reprint explores the complex and evolving field of polymer science and technology, with particular emphasis on the factors that influence the properties of polymer-based materials. A comprehensive understanding of the failure mechanisms in these materials is both academically significant and critical for advancing polymer science and engineering. The existing literature demonstrates that mechanical energy interacts with materials in diverse ways, contingent on environmental and operational conditions. Rigorous analysis of material responses is essential for developing mathematical models that facilitate material design optimization within a sustainability framework, aiming to prevent failures such as structural collapse or rupture. The contributions included in this Special Issue examine current and emerging trends in the investigation of the mechanical properties of polymeric materials. Collectively, the nine original articles offer valuable insights and directions for future research in this dynamic field.
Current Development of Asymmetric Catalysis and Synthesis
Enantiopure organic compounds are of fundamental importance across biological, medicinal, and materials chemistry. Reflecting this importance, the vast majority of pharmaceutical agents are optically active. Asymmetric catalysis and synthesis represent powerful and well-established methodologies for accessing such chiral molecules, with the field undergoing significant advancement over the past thirty years. Consequently, a diverse array of chiral catalysts and asymmetric transformations has been successfully developed and deployed.The Current Reprint Edition of the Special Issue is dedicated to highlighting methodological progress across the field, with key focus areas including the following: novel developments in asymmetric synthesis and catalytic strategies-such as transition-metal catalysis, organocatalysis, and biocatalysis-combined with studies on kinetic resolution, theoretical and mechanistic investigations, chemical modification of chiral organic molecules, and assessment of their associated biological functions.
Advances in the Synthesis of Heterocyclic Compounds and Their Applications
This Special Issue, entitled "Advances in the Synthesis of Heterocyclic Compounds and Their Applications", aims to expand our scientific knowledge about the current world by exploring the differences between at least two of their lively interfaces: human life and the environment.From this perspective, our previous traditional strategies, "heteroring synthesis" and "substituent modification" (including their combination), require an update to their meaning in terms of two actual conceptual approaches, namely "covalent" vs. "non-covalent", with reference to all types of heteromolecules, from the smallest to (supramolecular) 2(3)D nano-architectures (dendrimers, MOFs, COFs, etc.) without neglecting the still "exotic" molecular machines.Subject to all evolutionary facets of heterocyclic chemistry, the perpetual developments reimagined within the current organic heterosynthesis (strategies, methodologies, reaction mechanisms, reagents, catalysts, chemical and instrumental auxiliaries) nevertheless obey two crucial common denominators, "selectivity" vs. "specificity" (these terms being, equally, preceded by typical prefixes, either chemo-, regio-, or stereo-), as mandatory criteriums.
Novel Cementitious Materials
Carbon neutrality and peak carbon dioxide emissions are hot topics to ensure the Earth's sustainable development. Cementitious materials are the most commonly used artificial engineering materials worldwide. The production of Portland cement contributes a considerable portion of carbon dioxide emissions. Some novel composite cementitious materials containing various kinds of solid waste were developed to reduce the carbon footprint of concrete. For instance, novel cements with low carbon dioxide emissions were studied and began to be used in different industries, such as UHPC, ECC, geopolymers, some non-Portland cements, etc. They displayed many interesting performances that satisfied the increasing requirement for infrastructure with mechanical and durable properties, with a heavy load in severe built environments. Their hydration mechanism and properties are not the same as those of typical Portland cement. The relationship of their composition, microstructure, and properties has been comprehensively investigated in recent decades. This Reprint includes articles focused on recent developments related to the preparation and microstructural characteristics of novel cementitious materials, as well as their properties and applications in different fields. We hope that this Reprint will be very useful for readers to more deeply understand novel cementitious materials.
Advances in Mineral Processing and Hydrometallurgy
This is a Special Issue of Metals devoted to aspects of mineral processing and hydrometallurgy. It is the third in a series of Special Issues devoted to these topics, which discussed characterization along with recycling and waste minimization. Topics such as mineralogy, geometallurgy, thermodynamics, kinetics, comminution, classification, physical separations, liquid-solid separations, leaching, solvent extraction, ion exchange, activated carbon, precipitation, reduction, process economics, and process control were also considered. Specific suggested application areas were gold, silver, PGMs, aluminum, copper, zinc, lead, nickel, and titanium. Critical metal articles on topics such as lithium, antimony, tellurium, gallium, germanium, cobalt, graphite, indium, and rare earths were also welcomed. Both primary and recycled aspects were considered. In all, nine high quality articles were accepted and published. The focus of the submitted articles included indium, manganese, rare earths, nickel, slags, gold, tin, antimony, zinc, uranium, and thorium.
New Trends in Mechanical and Tribological Properties of Materials and Components
The study of the tribological and fatigue performance of materials and components has gained significant attention due to the increasing demand for high-performance materials in various industries and the improvement in the reliability, efficiency, and sustainability of components and systems. This Special Issue focuses on the characterization and optimization of new materials designed to enhance tribological performance and fatigue resistance, including treatments and coatings. By employing advanced characterization techniques and fatigue testing, this Special Issue focuses on wear mechanisms and failure modes of innovative materials. Another topic of interest is related to artificial intelligence (AI), its integration into the design process, and data analysis enabling the prediction and optimization of material properties for specific applications.
Advanced Inorganic Semiconductor Materials, 3rd Edition
Advanced Inorganic Semiconductor Materials, 3rd Edition presents a curated collection of recent advances in the design, synthesis, characterization, and application of inorganic and hybrid semiconductor materials. The volume covers a broad range of topics, including wide-bandgap oxides, doped and mixed-metal thin films, tribocatalysis, photoelectrochemical heterostructures, flexible inorganic electronics, oxygen-sensing materials, and organic-inorganic metal halides with luminescent and chiroptical functionalities. Emphasis is placed on defect engineering, interface design, energy conversion, and device integration, illustrating how fundamental materials concepts translate into practical technologies for electronics, photonics, catalysis, sensing, and energy harvesting. Contributions from leading international researchers provide both experimental insights and conceptual frameworks that reflect the current state and future directions of inorganic semiconductor research. This Reprint offers a valuable reference for scientists, engineers, and graduate students seeking an up-to-date overview of emerging materials and device strategies in advanced semiconductor science.
Effects of Functional Foods and Dietary Bioactives on Human Health
This Reprint brings together a collection of research and review articles from the Molecules Special Issue 'Effects of Functional Foods and Dietary Bioactives on Human Health'. It showcases advances in the discovery, characterization, and application of bioactive compounds from plants, marine organisms, fungi, and microorganisms, and highlights their roles in the prevention and management of human disease. The contributions span the full pipeline from isolation and structural elucidation of dietary bioactives, through in vitro and in vivo mechanistic studies, to translational work relevant to functional foods, nutraceuticals, and health promotion. Topics include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticancer and neuroprotective activities, modulation of metabolic and signalling pathways, and interactions with the gut microbiota.The Reprint also illustrates how modern technologies such as high throughput screening, proteomics, metabolomics, genomics and synthetic biology are reshaping molecular nutrition and supporting the development of safer and more effective functional products. Together, these articles provide an up-to-date overview of how functional foods and dietary bioactives can contribute to human health, and they outline promising directions for future research and innovation.
Advanced Nanomaterials-Based (Bio)sensors for Electrochemical Detection and Analysis
This Reprint compiles selected peer-reviewed contributions from the Special Issue "Advanced Nanomaterials-Based (Bio-)Sensors for Electrochemical Detection and Analysis", presenting recent advances in nanomaterials applied to chemical and biological sensing platforms. While electrochemical sensing represents a central theme, this Reprint also encompasses complementary sensing strategies, including colorimetric, plasmonic, and gas-sensing approaches, reflecting the multidisciplinary nature of modern sensor research. The collected articles explore the synthesis, functionalization, and integration of advanced nanomaterials such as nanoparticles, two-dimensional materials, polymers, metal oxides, and hybrid heterostructures into sensing interfaces. Emphasis is placed on structure-property-performance relationships, signal transduction mechanisms, and analytical applicability across environmental monitoring, food analysis, biomedical diagnostics, and industrial safety. Overall, this Reprint provides a comprehensive overview of how advanced nanomaterials enable diverse sensing modalities, highlighting converging trends that bridge electrochemical and non-electrochemical detection technologies.
Polysaccharide-Based Materials
This Reprint collects the most recent advances in the development and functional characterisation of polysaccharide-based materials. The contributions highlight the exceptional versatility of polysaccharides as sustainable and functional building blocks for advanced material systems. Through innovative processing strategies, controlled chemical modifications, and synergistic combinations with other biopolymers, the studies demonstrate how cellulose, chitosan, alginate, hyaluronic acid, starch, and kefiran can be engineered to obtain materials with tailorable mechanical, electrical, and biological properties. The reported applications span a broad range of fields, including flexible sensors, biomedical hydrogels, sustainable packaging, wastewater treatment, and soil stabilisation. Overall, this Reprint offers valuable insights into the design of next-generation polymeric materials, supporting the development of sustainable and high-performance engineering solutions.
Polymeric Liquid Crystals and Applications
This Reprint compiles key research articles on polymeric liquid crystals, focusing on their synthesis, characterization, and innovative applications. Liquid crystal polymers combine the self-organization of mesogens with the mechanical integrity of polymers in order to produce materials with stimuli-responsive, optical, and mechanical functionalities. The contributions explore auxetic elastomers, photonic sensors, molecular design, and fabrication techniques, hence revealing an interdisciplinary potential for LCPs in smart materials, sensing, and advanced manufacturing.The included studies investigate the molecular relaxation dynamics and strain response of auxetic liquid crystal elastomers, present a porous cholesteric polymer film for selective alcohol sensing, and examine how molecular core orientation and heterocycles influence mesophase behavior using experimental and computational approaches. Other works demonstrate the microfabrication of aligned liquid crystalline fibers through spatial confinement, review biological applications of LCEs, introduce solvent-free synthesis methods for Schiff base liquid crystals, and explore LCE-based photoelastic strain sensors with high sensitivity. Further research presents hydrogel-dispersed liquid crystals as a platform for detecting heavy metal ions in water. Collectively, these studies showcase the versatility and promise of polymeric liquid crystals in modern technology and materials science.
Photocatalytic Oxidation/Ozonation Processes
This Special Issue will focus on works addressing the synthesis and characterization of supported or magnetic photocatalysts and their application in reactions involving water pollutants in the presence of visible light (solar or simulated) or radiation from UVA-visible LEDs, with or without the presence of ozone. In addition, the Issue covers ozone-based processes in water that involve the simultaneous application of ozone with homogeneous catalysts (iron, manganese, etc, ), UV radiation (without catalysts), hydrogen peroxide, and related approaches, that is, about photocatalytic advanced oxidation processes.
Effective Coating Barriers for Protection of Reinforced Concrete
Effective coating barriers could provide protection to reinforced concrete, helping it to withstand the effects of harmful substances. Effective coating barriers include coatings on concrete surfaces and steel surfaces. Coatings on concrete surfaces can include silane and other waterproof materials that prevent the ingress of water. Coatings on steel surface can include epoxy, which isolates the steel from harmful substances. Other innovative coatings can also be applied. There is an urgent need to understand the performance of these coatings, especially their long-term performance, including in terms of bonding loss, degradation, etc.Topics of interest for this Special Issue include, but are not limited to, the following: The long-term performance of coatings on steel or concrete surfaces in reinforced concrete;The degradation mechanisms of coatings;Epoxy coatings on steel in concrete;Silane coatings on concrete surfaces;Innovative coatings on concrete surfaces, such as waterproof coatings, breathable coatings, etc.
Functional Inorganic Biomaterials for Molecular Sensing and Biomedical Applications
Inorganic biomaterials encompass a wide range of materials, including metals, polymers, ceramics, and composites, and play a pivotal role in chemistry, materials science, biology, medicine, and biomedical engineering. With tunable intrinsic properties (e.g., shape, size, aspect ratio, surface-to-volume ratio, topography, electrostatic interactions) and versatile functionality, inorganic nanoparticles and biomaterials are highly sought after in molecular imaging and clinical therapy. The applications extend across regenerative medicine, tumor and atherosclerosis imaging, tissue engineering, drug delivery, orthopedic implants, photothermal therapy, and the design of medical devices. In addition, inorganic biomaterials, nanoparticles, and hybrid assemblies can function as scaffolds for immobilizing biomolecules, enabling the development of advanced materials tailored for specific biological applications.The Special Issue highlighted 10 original research papers and a review article on the structural characterization, biophysical and biochemical properties, and biocompatibility of inorganic biomaterials, as well as their wide-ranging applications. Topics included imaging, therapeutic drug delivery in neutron capture therapy, optical sensing, SARS-Cov2 diagnosis, tumor therapy, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine. The overarching objective was to showcase recent advances in inorganic biomaterials and nanoparticles, spanning all stages from design to application.
Applications of Gels for Enhanced Oil Recovery
This Reprint, "Applications of Gels for Enhanced Oil Recovery," focuses on the latest advancements in utilizing gel technology to improve oil recovery. As reservoir heterogeneity intensifies, particularly in fractured reservoirs, the displacing phase tends to channel through high-permeability pathways, reducing sweep efficiency. Gel conformance control technology serves as an effective countermeasure by sealing these channels and diverting subsequent fluids into unswept micropores and throats, thereby significantly enhancing crude oil production. The studies compiled in this volume address key topics such as the development of novel gel systems resistant to high temperatures and salinity, the percolation behavior of gels in porous media, and the application of nanomaterials to enhance gel properties. These theoretical and experimental investigations provide innovative solutions and profound insights into addressing the challenges posed by the current harsh reservoir conditions.
Catalytic Energy Conversion and Catalytic Environmental Purification
Global challenges in energy, environment, and climate change have necessitated a shift toward a low-carbon economy and reduced fossil fuel dependence. Catalytic conversion technology is pivotal to this sustainable transition. Its advancement faces core challenges: balancing activity, selectivity, and stability; limited mechanistic understanding leading to inefficient development; and restrictive reaction conditions. Industrially, bridging the gap between theoretical breakthroughs and scalable, stable engineering solutions remains critical.This Special Issue offers a comprehensive overview of recent advances in catalysis for environmental and energy applications, covering both heterogeneous and homogeneous systems, and topics of significant scientific and industrial relevance.
Application of Laser Processing Technology in Automobile Manufacturing
The manufacturing sector is increasingly adopting laser-based material processing technologies due to their unparalleled efficiency, flexibility, and productivity. This suite of technologies, encompassing processes such as welding, cutting, additive manufacturing, drilling, coating, ablation, texturing, and polishing, has revolutionized the fabrication and treatment of diverse materials, including metals, ceramics, polymers, and natural substances. Nowhere is this innovation more critical than in the automotive industry, which is undergoing a profound transformation driven by the global transition to electric vehicles (EVs). This shift necessitates unprecedented advancements in manufacturing to achieve higher efficiency, reduce costs, enhance vehicle performance, and accelerate the development of new components like lithium-ion batteries. This special issue aims to highlight the transformative impact of laser-based material processing on the modern automotive industry. By bringing together original research on welding, additive manufacturing, battery production, and sustainability, it will provide a valuable platform for academics and industry professionals to share knowledge and foster innovation. The collective insights will not only advance the scientific understanding of these processes but also directly contribute to the development of more efficient, affordable, and high-performance electric vehicles, ultimately supporting the global transition towards sustainable transportation.
Recent Research and Application of Amorphous Materials
Amorphous materials lack long-range atomic order, which distinguishes them fundamentally from crystalline materials and gives rise to unique physical, chemical, and functional properties. These features include high strength, good corrosion resistance, tunable electronic and optical behavior, and favorable biocompatibility, enabling broad technological applications. Recent advances in synthesis methods, characterization techniques, computational modeling, and nanoscale engineering have greatly accelerated research on amorphous materials. New experimental, theoretical, and data-driven approaches have improved understanding of structure-property relationships and enabled the rational design of amorphous systems.This Reprint highlights recent progress in inorganic amorphous materials, covering metallic glasses, amorphous thin films, glassy materials, and amorphous composites. It focuses on their applications in energy, optoelectronics, environmental technologies, and biomedicine, and reflects the interdisciplinary nature of current research.
Metal Complexes Diversity
This Reprint showcases recent progress in the design, synthesis, and application of metal complexes, highlighting the remarkable diversity of their structures and functions. Metal complexes continue to attract significant scientific interest due to their central role in catalysis, materials science, and medicinal chemistry, as well as their potential to address current technological and biomedical challenges. The contributions collected in this Reprint demonstrate how controlled synthetic strategies and rational ligand design can fine-tune molecular architecture, electronic properties, and functional behaviour.The Reprint includes nine contributions comprising one authoritative review article and eight original research papers. Together, these works provide a broad and up-to-date overview of advances in coordination chemistry, with particular emphasis on conformational properties, reactivity, and biological activity. The featured studies address a wide range of metal centres and ligand systems, employing complementary experimental and theoretical approaches to explore structure-activity relationships, redox and electrochemical behaviour, and interactions with biologically relevant targets. By bringing together diverse perspectives and methodologies, this Reprint serves as a valuable reference for researchers seeking inspiration and insight into the development of next-generation metal-based catalysts, functional materials, and therapeutic agents.
Applications of Heterogeneous Catalysts in Green Chemistry
Heterogeneous catalysts play a central role in chemical industries by enabling molecular transformations to produce desired products. Their role is even more important in sustainable and environmentally benign processes, where active, selective, and stable catalysts efficiently convert feedstocks while minimizing process interruptions caused by deactivation. High catalytic activity improves energy efficiency and allows large-scale processing in reactors with smaller footprints, whereas high selectivity reduces the formation of undesired byproducts that require downstream separation. Catalyst stability ensures consistent performance, reducing frequent shutdowns and restarts, which lowers operational costs and enhances plant productivity. In chemical industries, reactors are often followed by energy-intensive separation units to remove unreacted feedstock, byproducts, and solvents, resulting in significant waste generation. Efficient catalysts also help in reducing the separation requirement by generating lower numbers of byproducts. In short, the role of heterogeneous catalysts is vital in making sustainable and environmentally friendly processes a reality. In this Special Issue, we have included research articles and review papers highlighting the critical role of heterogeneous catalysts in green processes. The scope broadly covers the various aspects of chemistry and chemical industries such as green synthesis techniques, pollution control, energy efficiency, environmental catalysis, clean energy, CO2 conversion, hydrogen production, and auto emission catalysts.
Advances in Road Pavements
Road pavements are essential to transportation infrastructure, supporting mobility, safety, and sustainability. Increasing traffic loads and climate-related stresses require pavement solutions with higher performance, durability, and resilience, supported by innovative materials and advanced design and monitoring approaches. This reprint presents a collection of peer-reviewed contributions from the Special Issue "Advances in Road Pavements" published in the journal Buildings (MDPI). The volume provides an overview of recent scientific and technological advances in road pavement engineering, combining theoretical developments with practical applications. The chapters cover topics such as pavement design and performance evaluation, innovative materials and construction methods, surface characteristics and ride quality, safety-related aspects, numerical modeling, monitoring technologies, and sustainable strategies for pavement construction, maintenance, and rehabilitation. The contributions include experimental studies, numerical analyses, and real-world case studies reflecting current challenges, particularly in urban mobility and infrastructure management. By integrating multidisciplinary perspectives, the reprint offers insights into improving pavement performance, extending service life, and reducing life-cycle costs and environmental impacts. This volume is intended for researchers, graduate students, practicing engineers, infrastructure managers, and policymakers seeking an up-to-date reference on road pavement engineering.
Effect of the Modification of Catalysts on the Catalytic Performance, 2nd Edition
New Functional Coatings and Thin Films for Sensor and Green Energy Technologies
This Special Issue Reprint is focused on recent developments and achievements in the design and application of new advanced materials for active coatings with a special emphasis on the surface engineering and functionalization of protective, sensitive, and selective coatings for energy conversion and storage. It includes papers authored by scientists from around the world. A variety of materials and coatings, like oxide-based coatings, functional polymers, and composites, are designed, characterized, and discussed in relation to their potential applications in photovoltaic and sensing devices. As a whole, the Special Issue shows a diverse range of methods, techniques, and innovative approaches that are commonly used in order to produce materials and coatings with improved and new functionalities.
High-Performance Super-capacitors
Climate change is now a global concern, and new energy materials and devices are being extensively studied to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help solve the climate change problem. Supercapacitor materials and devices are very promising due to their quick charge/discharge capabilities, high safety and long cycling lifetimes.However, the success of supercapacitor technology, when competing with existing energy storage technologies, largely depends on the improvement of its critical properties, such as the energy storage capabilities of the supercapacitor materials and devices. Thus, the development of high-performance supercapacitor materials and devices is a critical and timely research direction of the field.This Reprint discusses original research on frontier supercapacitor materials, including porous carbons, biochars, MXene, transition metal oxides, sulfides, and their composites, in addition to ion liquid electrolytes. Reviews on various cutting-edge supercapacitor technologies are also included. All of these are important for boosting the development of supercapacitor science and engineering, which are envisioned to help in powering up our future.
Laser Cladding Coatings
The aim of this Reprint is to immerse the reader in the latest laser cladding approaches employed in the surface field. The content includes the use of AI to optimize laser cladding process parameters, the development of various laser cladding materials (high-entropy alloys, nickel-based alloys, iron-based alloys, and titanium alloys), and the various properties of laser cladding coatings. We aim to unravel the potential and promise of these cutting-edge technologies. In this Reprint, leading experts in the field share their insights, research findings, and visions for the future. Together, we embark on a journey to unlock the full potential of laser cladding technology, striving to forge sustainable industrial solutions that balance humanity's growing demand for high-performance materials with our duty to protect the integrity of our planetary ecosystems. By extending the lifespan of critical components, reducing raw material consumption, and minimizing waste, we pave the way toward a greener, more efficient future-where industry thrives and nature is preserved in harmony with human progress.
Novel Electrode Materials for Rechargeable Batteries, 2nd Edition
This Special Issue Reprint of Molecules, "Novel Electrode Materials for Rechargeable Batteries, 2nd Edition", highlights recent progress in materials and design strategies for advanced electrochemical energy storage and conversion. The collected articles showcase innovations in electrode engineering-from morphology-optimized NiMo alloys for efficient hydrogen evolution to flexible anodes, sulfur encapsulation strategies, and high-performance zinc-ion and lithium-ion battery materials. The Reprint also features studies on electrolyte and additive optimization, three-dimensional current collectors, and comprehensive reviews covering polyanionic cathodes and metallic lithium anode protection.Together, these contributions present a concise yet insightful overview of emerging concepts and key challenges in modern electrochemical materials research, offering valuable guidance for the development of next-generation sustainable energy storage technologies.
Contemporary Synthetic Glycoscience
This Special Issue contains ten contributions discussing challenging topics pertaining to both syntheses and analyses. Additionally, three reviews discuss relevant aspects of sucrose-based components, the immunogenicity of neoglycoconjugates, and a feature paper describing the numerous synthetic contributions of the Paulsen group, addressing questions of glycoprotein biosyntheses. In this Special Issue, a broad overview of contemporary glycoscience research is compiled, indicating the significant influence of this subject to natural products and heterocyclic chemistry, as well as its value in addressing broader issues in biology and medicine.
Catalysts in Chemical Looping Technology for Energy Storage and Carbon Emission Reduction
Chemical looping technology has emerged as a versatile and effective platform for energy storage and the production of value-added chemicals. The closed reaction cycle composed of multiple redox processes can potentially lower the reaction barrier, improve the yield of chemicals, and help to avoid some complicated separation processes. Recent years have seen great progress in the utilization of such technology in various reactions, including power generation, hydrocarbon conversion, ammonia synthesis, H2O/CO2 splitting, and so on. Additionally, numerous efforts have also been dedicated to reactor design, process engineering, and numerical simulations. In view of the prosperity in the area, this Reprint will focus on recent advances in redox materials, kinetics, mechanism, reactor design, and process analysis for chemical looping applications.
Recent Progress of Battery Design, Modeling and Testing in Electric Vehicles
Electrified vehicles (EVs) are becoming more and more widely adopted since they help to reduce both petroleum dependence and greenhouse gas emissions. Nevertheless, to compete with internal combustion engine vehicles, EV battery technology still faces numerous challenges (such as energy density, fast charging capacity, safety, durability, etc.) that must be overcome. This reprint collects research papers that help to improve one or more attributes of EV batteries.
Emerging Technologies in the Hydrometallurgical Recycling of Critical Metals
The number of identified critical materials included in the lists published by the European Union every three years, since 2011, has been steadily increasing. Metals occupy a major part of those materials, since many of them hold significant importance for key sectors in the European economy, are difficult to replace, and have a highly threatened supply. It is crucial to invest in the creation and development of sustainable technologies to reuse and recycle metals from end-of-life devices, residues, gaseous and liquid effluents, wastes, and scraps to effectively establish a circular economy and protect the future of the planet and all living species.In recent years, hydrometallurgy has been playing a key role in the sustainable recycling of metals from several secondary sources. Therefore, emerging hydrometallurgical approaches for recovering critical metals from permanent magnets, photovoltaic panels, electronic waste, various slag dusts, single-use medical devices, superalloys and batteries, and vanadium-bearing waste, can be found in this Reprint, excellently described in nine research articles and critically discussed in two review articles.
Advances in Processing, Simulation and Characterization of Alloys
This Special Issue brings together recent advancements in the processing, simulation, and characterization of alloys. The articles featured highlight how new manufacturing steps can be incorporated with novel simulation approaches and characterization techniques to provide insights into how various parameters influence the microstructure-property relationships in alloy design. For this purpose, contributions related to experimental and industrially produced alloys have been included. This collection of articles is appropriate for both experts from academia and industry who would like to obtain insights regarding state of the art in processing, simulation and characterization as well as gain a deeper understanding of property-microstructure relationships in alloys.
Recent Advances in Polymeric Membranes
This Reprint provides an overview of recent advances in polymeric membranes, focusing on their preparation, functionalization, and applications in water treatment, environmental remediation, energy conversion and storage, and biomedical technologies. Contributions cover membrane design and modification strategies, sustainable fabrication methods, enhanced selectivity and stability, and the integration of functional or bioactive materials. The Reprint highlights the versatility of polymeric membranes and their potential impact for industrial, medical, and environmental applications.
Advances in Analytical Strategies to Study Cultural Heritage Samples, 2nd Edition
This Reprint presents a collection of recent advances in analytical strategies applied to cultural heritage materials, highlighting how modern chemistry, spectroscopy, and data-driven approaches can provide insight into the composition, degradation, and conservation of artworks and historical artefacts. The contributions span a wide variety of materials and case studies, demonstrating the versatility of contemporary analytical methods.Several articles highlight the potential of vibrational spectroscopy, including attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), external-reflection FTIR, and multivariate analysis, for the characterization of dyes, binders, photographic prints, and paint alteration phenomena. Other studies address the formation of metal soaps in alkyd paints, the identification of lipid binders in wall paintings using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) combined with chemometric tools, and the investigation of environmental volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by historical books.This Reprint also includes research on nanocomposite hydrogels for paper cleaning and protective materials functionalized with metal-oxide nanoparticles, underscoring the role of materials science in conservation. Finally, analytical chemistry is extended to forensic-heritage contexts, with a study of personal items recovered from mass graves.
Advances in Nanostructured Electrode Materials
With the growing energy demand and the urgent need to face global climate change and environmental pollution issues, the development of nanostructured electrode materials has become a key research hotpot for advanced energy technologies. The unique and outstanding features of these materials, arising from the ability to suitably tailor their structural and functional properties, are pivotal to optimizing performance, durability, efficiency, environmental sustainability and scalability for commercial applications.This Reprint presents a curated collection of research articles highlighting recent progress in the synthesis, fabrication, functionalization and technological applications of nanostructured electrode materials. Topics include advanced fabrication methods, green synthesis approaches, in-depth studies on the properties and performance of electrode materials and their electrochemical applications in electrocatalysis, energy conversion, energy storage and thermoelectric materials. The advances and insights presented here contribute to the progress in the field of nanostructured electrode materials and provide a valuable reference for researchers, scientists, and engineers, providing cutting-edge solutions to meet the growing demand for efficient and sustainable energy technologies.
Amphiphilic Molecules, Interfaces and Colloids
Colloids, such as emulsions, foams, sols, and gels, play an integral role in living organisms, the natural environment, resource extraction, pharmaceuticals, cleaning products, processing industries, and basically, in almost all aspects of our everyday life. To a large extent, colloid stability and functionality are determined by the properties of interfaces between dispersed and continuous phases and by the surface forces acting at micro- and nanoscale levels. It is the amphiphilic molecules that are capable of altering colloidal system properties, thus changing the overall system behavior. This is why a comprehensive understanding of the amphiphile molecular structure and the respective interactions taking place at the interfaces ensures effective control over colloidal system properties. The contributions included in this Reprint highlight the relation between amphiphile molecular structure, self-assembly in solutions, molecular arrangements at interfaces, specific interactions at micro- and nanoscales, and the properties displayed by the colloidal systems. The included research spans from fundamental studies on the physicochemical behavior of colloidal systems to the design of innovative solutions for practical applications.
Organic Chemistry I Learning with AI Tools
Welcome to Organic Chemistry. This workbook will help you understand the basic principles of Organic Chemistry. This workbook can also be used as part of a Peer-Led Team Learning workshop. The workshop part of an Organic Chemistry course can provide a small group setting that will complement the larger lecture setting. The workshop component will be led by a peer leader, an undergraduate student who has demonstrated a strong command of Organic Chemistry and who is trained for this leadership position. This resource book helps you and the workshop peer leaders conduct each week's activities. Both the lecture and the workshop are guided by the instructor; the workshop is led by the peer leader. Workshops are designed to reinforce lecture topics through practice, discussion, and small group activities.
Advanced Carbon-Based Materials for Next-Generation Batteries and Supercapacitors
With the development of society and technology, the excessive energy harvested from fossil fuels has brought about resource and environmental issues. The increased exploration of new-energy and the rapid development of the electric vehicle industry have led to the rapid development of electrochemical energy-storage technology. Batteries and supercapacitors offer both a high energy density and a high power density, and have a promising future in the field of energy storage. Carbon-based materials have always been at the forefront of this field due to their unique advantages of low density, chemical stability, good processability, and diverse morphologies. This Reprint will approach the rational design of carbon-based composite materials and their latest uses in rechargeable batteries and supercapacitors, exploring manufacturing processes, the materials used (carbon nanotubes, graphene, biomass carbon, MOF-derived carbon, etc.), microstructural design (porous structures, core/shell structures, hollow structures, three-dimensional structures, etc.), and component optimization, and also report their practical applications in electrochemical energy storage and studying their energy-storage mechanisms in detail. We aim to contribute toward creating a new generation of functional carbon-based materials for rechargeable batteries and supercapacitors. This Reprint aims to play a guiding role in research into functional carbon-based materials and composites, contributing to a broadening of the field's scope and making significant progress in the field.
