We are pleased to announce that the 5th International Conference on Symmetry (Symmetry 2025) is scheduled to take place from 16 to 19 May 2025 in Hangzhou, China. The conference, organized by MDPI’s Symmetry (ISSN: 2073-8994, Impact Factor: 2.2), aims to gather researchers, professionals, and experts interested in this field to share their latest research findings, innovations, and experiences.

For this upcoming event, we are proud to announce the following conference chairs and plenary speakers.

Conference Chairs:

• Dr. Sergei D. Odintsov, Institute of Space Sciences, Spain;
• Dr. Changzheng Qu, Ningbo University, China;
• Dr. Jihuan He, Soochow University, China.

Plenary Speakers:

• Dr. Ronggen Cai, Ningbo University, China;
• Dr. Sergei D. Odintsov, Institute of Space Sciences, Spain;
• Dr. Jiping Zhang, Peking University, China.

Topics of Interest and Session Chairs:
S1. Physics

• Session Chair: Shin'ichi Nojiri, Nagoya University, Japan;
• Session Chair: Prof. Tianjun Li, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Henan Normal University, China;
• Session Chair: Prof. Yuxiao Liu, Lanzhou University, China.

S2. Mathematics

• Session Chair: Prof. Qingwen Wang, Shanghai University, China;
• Session Chair: Prof. Shoufeng Shen, Zhejiang University of Technology, China.

S3. Chemistry

• Session Chair: György Keglevich, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Hungary;
• Session Chair: Prof. Weihua Tang, Xiamen University, China.

S4. Engineering

• Session Chair: Prof. Chong Wang, Beihang University China, China;
• Session Chair: Prof. Deming Lei, Wuhan University of Technology, China.

S5. Computer Science

• Session Chair: Prof. Hu Xiong, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, China;
• Session Chair: Prof. Kuo-Hui Yeh, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taiwan.

S6. Symmetry Applications

• Session Chair: Prof. Jihuan He, Soochow University, China;
• Session Chair: Prof. Chunli Zhang, Zhejiang University, China.

Conference Awards:

• Best Oral Presentation Award;
• Best Poster Award;
• Best Speaker Award.

Number of winners: 23.

Prizes:
CNY 1500 (5 winners); a full Article Processing Charge (APC) waiver for Symmetry (6 winners); a 50% APC waiver for Symmetry (12 winners); and a certificate celebrating this achievement (all winners).

Guide for Authors:
To submit your abstract, please click on the following link:
https://sciforum.net/user/submission/create/1219.

To register for the event, please click on the following link:
https://sciforum.net/event/symmetry2025?section=#registration.

For more information, you may refer to the following:
https://sciforum.net/event/symmetry2025?section=#instructions.

Important Dates:
Abstract Submission Deadline: 16 February 2025
Notification of Acceptance: 9 March 2025
Early-Bird Registration: 16 March 2025
Registration Deadline: 16 May 2025

We look forward to receiving your contribution to Symmetry 2025.

Conference Chairs
Symmetry 2025 Organizing Team ([email protected])

Prof. Dr. Frank Hollmann is an Associate Professor in the Biocatalysis group at the Department of Biotechnology of the Delft University of Technology, the Netherlands. He studied chemistry at the University of Bonn (Germany) and he obtained his Ph.D. from the Swiss Federal University of Technology (ETH) in Zurich (Switzerland), followed by a postdoctoral stay at the Max-Planck-Institute for Coal Research (Mulheim, Germany). His research interest centers around the application of biocatalysis for more sustainable chemical synthesis. Particularly, he is excited about combining photochemistry with biocatalysis to enable transformations that are not straightforward using classical chemical technologies.

He will be the session chair of the session “Biocatalysis” at the 3rd International Electronic Conference on Catalysis Sciences. This conference is organized online, between 23–25 April 2025, and serves as a premier platform for catalysis researchers and enthusiasts to share their latest findings, innovative ideas, and practical experiences.

The following is a short interview with Prof. Dr. Frank Hollmann:

1. Could you please briefly introduce yourself?
I am a researcher dedicated to advancing biocatalytic oxyfunctionalization with a strong emphasis on green chemistry. My work focuses on making the chemical industry more sustainable by developing and applying biocatalysis in oxidation reactions. I also enjoy mentoring students and sharing my passion for sustainable chemistry.

2. What do you think of the development status and trends of open access publishing?
Open access publishing is a pivotal development in academia, democratizing knowledge and making high-quality research freely available to a global audience. The trend towards open access has become increasingly relevant, especially in promoting transparency, accelerating scientific collaboration, and reducing barriers to accessing research. With the rise of open data initiatives and more equitable publication models, I believe open access will continue to shape the future of scientific publishing positively.

3. What is your impression of the Catalysts journal?
Catalysts stands out as a reputable platform that fosters the exchange of groundbreaking research in catalysis, including biocatalysis. It has consistently showcased a diverse range of studies that contribute to advancements in both fundamental and applied catalysis. The journal’s emphasis on high-quality, peer-reviewed content and its commitment to open access makes it a valuable resource for scientists aiming to address pressing challenges in sustainability and green chemistry.

4. What do you think will be the research hotspots in the field of catalysts in the next few years, and can you describe them to us?
In the coming years, several promising research directions in catalysis are expected to take shape. A significant focus will be on biocatalytic and hybrid approaches that merge the precision of enzyme catalysis with traditional chemical methods, all aimed at achieving sustainable synthesis. The integration of artificial intelligence in enzyme engineering is set to revolutionize the field, enhancing the design of enzymes for greater selectivity and efficiency. Moreover, cascade reactions, which enable multi-step processes in a single setup, will be at the forefront of sustainable catalysis efforts. There will also be increasing attention on harnessing renewable energy sources, such as light and electricity, to drive catalytic processes with minimal environmental impact.

5. Can you provide any advice on academic research for young scholars in related fields?
For young scholars, I recommend embracing interdisciplinary collaboration, as it often leads to innovative solutions. Being open to new technologies and methods, such as machine learning in enzyme design, can also be a tremendous asset. Building a strong foundation in both theory and practical skills is crucial, but so is staying curious and willing to challenge conventional approaches. Additionally, finding a mentor who inspires and challenges you can be transformative, as I've witnessed firsthand when working with outstanding students who have shaped my understanding.

6. Could you kindly share with us your thoughts and outlook on this E-conference?
This E-conference is an exciting opportunity to share the latest advancements in our field and foster global collaboration without the carbon footprint of traditional events. It offers a platform for discussions and the exchange of ideas among scientists from diverse backgrounds, which is especially crucial as we tackle sustainability challenges together. I am looking forward to the interdisciplinary dialogues that will emerge and the chance to learn from peers while sharing insights from my work.

7. Could you please provide a brief introduction to the session you are chairing, titled “Biocatalysis”?
The “Biocatalysis” session will highlight the latest advances and practical applications of enzymes in chemical synthesis, focusing on their role in making processes more sustainable and efficient. We will explore cutting-edge research in enzyme engineering, novel catalytic pathways, and strategies for integrating biocatalysts into industrial processes. This session aims to inspire innovative thinking and showcase how biocatalysis is transforming traditional chemical practices to reduce environmental impact and improve reaction selectivity and efficiency.

We are pleased to announce a reduction in our Article Processing Charge (APC) with immediate effect from CHF 2700 to CHF 2200. This reduced APC will apply until 30 June 2025.

We are grateful for the support our journal has received from the catalysts community over recent years. As an open access journal, we are committed to advocating open science. We look forward to receiving your manuscripts and working together to promote development and exchange in the field of catalysts science and technology. We will keep you updated on any future changes. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at [email protected]. 

Catalysts Editorial Office

MDPI invites all esteemed experts to join the “Environmental Catalysis” Section’s webinar titled “Environmental Catalysis in Air Pollution Control”. The field of environmental catalysis involves innovative research progress in various catalytic processes aimed at reducing harmful emissions from automobile and industrial sources.

Our expert panel, composed of three distinguished professors with extraordinary experience in air pollution control, will present their latest work on emission control technologies for future zero-carbon fuels like hydrogen and ammonia engines. Whether you are a scientific researcher, industrial engineer, or graduate student, this webinar offers a unique opportunity to explore cutting-edge approaches to building a more environmentally sustainable future.

We look forward to your participation in this discussion.

Webinar: Environmental Catalysis in Air Pollution Control
Date: 1 November 2024
Time: 13:00–14:25 (CST Asia)
More information: https://sciforum.net/event/Catalysts-13

This is a free webinar. After registration, you will receive a confirmation email containing information on how to join the webinar. Registrations with academic institutional email addresses will be prioritized.

Unable to attend? Please register anyway and we will let you know when the recording is available for viewing.

Register for free at the following link:

Program:

Relevant Special Issues:

“Featured Papers in “Environmental Catalysis” Section”
Guest Editors: Prof. Dr. Jean-François Lamonier, Prof. Dr. Stanisław Wacławek, Prof. Dr. Piotr Kuśtrowski, Dr. Mohd Rafatullah and Dr. Lei Ma
Deadline for submission: 10 December 2024 

“Advances in Catalysis for a Sustainable Future”
Guest Editors: Dr. Wen Ma and Dr. Federico Galli
Deadline for submission: 31 December 2024

“Carbon-Based Catalysts to Address Environmental Challenges”
Guest Editors: Dr. Raquel Pinto Rocha and Prof. Dr. José L. Figueiredo
Deadline for submission: 31 January 2025

“Advanced Catalysis for Energy and Environmental Applications”
Guest Editors: Prof. Dr. Bin Lin, Prof. Dr. Yat Li and Prof. Dr. Manashi Nath
Deadline for submission: 31 January 2025

“Catalysis in Pollution Degradation and Environmental Remediation”
Guest Editors: Dr. Chenyan Hu and Dr. Xinhong Qiu
Deadline for submission: 14 February 2025

“Insight into Catalysis for Air Pollution Control”
Guest Editors: Dr. Xiang Li and Dr. Chizhong Wang
Deadline for submission: 20 March 2025

“Catalytic Removal of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)”
Guest Editors: Dr. Ralitsa Georgieva and Prof. Dr. Anton Naydenov
Deadline for submission: 31 March 2025

“Heterogeneous Catalysis for Environmentally Compatible Reactions and Processes, 2nd Edition”
Guest Editors: Dr. Ileana Daniela Lick, Dr. Paula Osorio-Vargas and Prof. Dr. Mónica L. Casella
Deadline for submission: 31 March 2025

Five new journals covering a diverse range of subjects launched their inaugural issue in September 2024. Like other journals in MDPI’s portfolio, these journals are dedicated to sharing the latest research through open access, reflecting our commitment to making knowledge accessible to all.

We extend our sincere gratitude to the Editorial Board Members for their dedication to the launch and development of our new journals. Each journal will ensure its high-quality output via excellent editorial and rigorous peer-review processes so that the published articles achieve significant impact and broad visibility.

We invite you to explore and learn more about these new journals below.

Journal	Founding Editor-in-Chief	Journal Topics (Selected)
	Prof. Dr. Nejat Düzgüneş, University of the Pacific, USA | Editorial | view inaugural issue	biological therapy and stem-cell therapy; drug therapy; chemotherapy; radiation and other nonsurgical therapeutic strategies | view journal scope | submit an article
	Prof. Dr. Magda Tsolaki, Greek Federation of Alzheimer’s Disease, Greece; Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece | Editorial | view inaugural issue	surgical/procedural complications; complications; perioperative adverse events; postoperative adverse events | view journal scope | submit an article
	Prof. Dr. Steven R. Fassnacht, Colorado State University, USA; Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere, USA | Editorial | view inaugural issue	ice as a mineral; atmospheric ice; sea ice; freshwater ice; ice sheets; ice caps and ice shelves | view journal scope | submit an article
	Dr. Francisco Epelde, Hospital Universitari Parc Tauli, Spain; University Autonoma of Barcelona, Spain | Editorial | view inaugural issue	hospital management; hospital facilities; hospital services; hospital risk management; health law | view journal scope | submit an article
	Prof. Dr. Nicola Ferri, University of Padova, Italy | Editorial | view inaugural issue	lipids in cells and whole organisms; lipid structure and function; lipid products and processes; dietary lipids and nutrition | view journal scope | submit an article

We wish to thank everyone who has supported the development of open access publishing. You are welcome to send an application here or contact the New Journal Committee ([email protected]) if you would like to create more new journals.

In celebration of World Food Day 2024, MDPI is launching a special webinar to encourage researchers to unite, take action, and showcase how collective knowledge can address the pressing challenges of food security, sustainable agriculture, and resource management.

World Food Day, led by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), aims to foster awareness about the importance of food security and the urgent need to eradicate hunger worldwide. In line with this mission, our upcoming webinar invites researchers and experts to discuss innovative solutions for achieving sustainable agriculture, improving resource management, and tackling food insecurity worldwide.

We are very much looking forward to seeing you at MDPI World Food Day Webinar 2024. Please find below an up-to-date outline of the presenters.

Date: 16 October 2024 at 01.30 p.m. CEST | 7:30 a.m. EDT | 7:30 p.m. CST Asia
Webinar ID: 835 7950 1147
Webinar Secretariat: [email protected]

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information on how to join the webinar. Registrations with academic institutional email addresses will be prioritized.

Unable to attend? Register anyway and we will inform you when the recording is available.

Register now for free!

Keynote Speakers:

• Prof. Dr. Giorgia Spigno, Department for Sustainable Food Process, Department for Sustainable Food Process, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Piacenza, Italy;
• Prof. Dr. Ramakrishnan Ramanathan, Department of Management, College of Business Administration, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.

The “Industrial Catalysis” Section of Catalysts (ISSN: 2073-4344) is mainly devoted to research aimed at the development and optimization of industrial catalytic processes. Electrocatalytic processes will also be considered, in particular with respect to their practical commercial applications. Both already-established industrial processes and processes under development are of interest to this Section. Thus, catalyst engineering studies concerning improving the conversion, selectivity, and productivity of reactants; optimizing stability; limiting deactivation; improving regeneration; and optimizing composition and particle morphology, as well as extrudate production and shape optimization, will be the main objects of the Section. To this end, all experimental research work should be realized in practical industrial reaction conditions or in relevant reference conditions, and it should involve real commercial catalytic materials or catalysts under development with promising properties, acceptable costs, and environmental friendliness.

As said, the development of industrial catalysts is a step forward for the development of industrial catalytic reactors and processes. Thus, molecular, reactor, and process modeling studies, as well as kinetic investigations, will also be welcome. Finally, interest will be devoted to studies concerning the end-of-life of spent catalysts and their reutilization.

As they are open access, you have free and unlimited access to the full text of all the articles published in our journal. We welcome you to read our most highly cited papers published in 2022 and 2023:

1. “Enabling Catalysts for Biodiesel Production via Transesterification”
by Baohua Wang, Bingquan Wang, Sudheesh K. Shukla and Rui Wang
Catalysts 2023, 13(4), 740; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal13040740
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/13/4/740

2. “A Recent Review of Primary Hydrogen Carriers, Hydrogen Production Methods, and Applications”
by Risheng Li and Hajime Kawanami
Catalysts 2023, 13(3), 562; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal13030562
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/13/3/562

3. “Effect of Potassium Promoter on the Performance of Nickel-Based Catalysts Supported on MnO_x in Steam Reforming of Ethanol”
by Magdalena Greluk, Marek Rotko, Grzegorz Słowik, Sylwia Turczyniak-Surdacka, Gabriela Grzybek, Kinga Góra-Marek and Andrzej Kotarba
Catalysts 2022, 12(6), 600; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12060600
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/12/6/600

4. “Structure Sensitivity of Ammonia Synthesis on Cobalt: Effect of the Cobalt Particle Size on the Activity of Promoted Cobalt Catalysts Supported on Carbon”
by Magdalena Zybert, Aleksandra Tarka, Wojciech Patkowski, Hubert Ronduda, Bogusław Mierzwa, Leszek Kępiński and Wioletta Raróg-Pilecka
Catalysts 2022, 12(10), 1285; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12101285
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/12/10/1285

5. “A Review of Coal and Biomass Hydrogasification: Process Layouts, Hydrogasifiers, and Catalysts”
by Emilia Saraceno, Concetta Ruocco and Vincenzo Palma
Catalysts 2023, 13(2), 417; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal13020417
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/13/2/417

If you are an active researcher in the field and are passionate about participating in cutting-edge research publications, please do not hesitate to contact the Section Managing Editor, Ms. Asteria Wang ([email protected]).

The Section “Environmental Catalysis” of Catalysts (ISSN: 2073-4344) is dedicated to publishing original and high-quality research communications, articles, and review articles on the catalytic elimination of gas-, liquid-, and solid-phase pollutants. As they are in an open access format, you have free and unlimited access to the full text of all the articles published in our journal. We welcome you to read our top cited papers published in 2022 and 2023:

1. “Dielectric Barrier Discharge Plasma-Assisted Catalytic CO₂ Hydrogenation: Synergy of Catalyst and Plasma”
by Xingyuan Gao, Jinglong Liang, Liqing Wu, Lixia Wu and Sibudjing Kawi
Catalysts 2022, 12(1), 66; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12010066
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/12/1/66

2. “Recent Combinations of Electrospinning with Photocatalytic Technology for Treating Polluted Water”
by He Lv, Yanan Liu, Yubin Bai, Hongpu Shi, Wen Zhou, Yaoning Chen, Yang Liu and Deng-Guang Yu
Catalysts 2023, 13(4), 758; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal13040758
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/13/4/758

3. “Research Progress and Reaction Mechanism of CO₂ Methanation over Ni-Based Catalysts at Low Temperature: A Review”
by Li Li, Wenqing Zeng, Mouxiao Song, Xueshuang Wu, Guiying Li and Changwei Hu
Catalysts 2022, 12(2), 244; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12020244
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/12/2/244

4. “Heterogeneous Activation of Persulfate by LaMO₃ (M=Co, Fe, Cu, Mn, Ni) Perovskite Catalysts for the Degradation of Organic Compounds”
by Donatos Manos, Foteini Papadopoulou, Antigoni Margellou, Dimitrios Petrakis and Ioannis Konstantinou
Catalysts 2022, 12(2), 187; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12020187
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/12/2/187

5. “Photocatalytic CO₂ Reduction to CH₄ and Dye Degradation Using Bismuth Oxychloride/Bismuth Oxyiodide/Graphitic Carbon Nitride (BiO_mCl_n/BiO_pI_q/g-C₃N₄) Nanocomposite with Enhanced Visible-Light Photocatalytic Activity”
by Yong-Ming Dai, Wu-Tsan Wu, Yu-Yun Lin, Hsiao-Li Wu, Szu-Han Chen, Jih-Mirn Jehng, Jia-Hao Lin, Fu-Yu Liu and Chiing-Chang Chen
Catalysts 2023, 13(3), 522; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal13030522
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/13/3/522

6. “Heterogeneous Metal-Activated Persulfate and Electrochemically Activated Persulfate: A Review”
by Junjing Li, Yiqi Liang, Pengliang Jin, Bin Zhao, Zhaohui Zhang, Xiaojia He, Zilin Tan, Liang Wang and Xiuwen Cheng
Catalysts 2022, 12(9), 1024; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12091024
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/12/9/1024

7. “Surface Modification of Biochar for Dye Removal from Wastewater”
by Lalit Goswami, Anamika Kushwaha, Saroj Raj Kafle and Beom-Soo Kim
Catalysts 2022, 12(1), 66; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12010066
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/12/8/817

8. “Recent Developments in Advanced Oxidation Processes for Organics-Polluted Soil Reclamation”
by Crina Calenciuc, Antía Fdez-Sanromán, Gabriela Lama, Sivasankar Annamalai, Angeles Sanromán and Marta Pazos
Catalysts 2022, 12(1), 64; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12010064
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/12/1/64

9. “Catalytic Hydrogenation of CO₂ to Methanol: A Review”
by Menghao Ren, Yanmin Zhang, Xuan Wang and Hengshan Qiu
Catalysts 2022, 12(4), 403; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12040403
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/12/4/403

10. “Noble-Metal-Based Catalytic Oxidation Technology Trends for Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) Removal”
by Hyo-Sik Kim, Hyun-Ji Kim, Ji-Hyeon Kim, Jin-Ho Kim, Suk-Hwan Kang, Jae-Hong Ryu, No-Kuk Park, Dae-Sik Yun and Jong-Wook Bae
Catalysts 2022, 12(1), 63; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12010063
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/12/1/63

If you are an active researcher in the field and are passionate about contributing cutting-edge research publications, please do not hesitate to contact our Section Managing Editor, Ms. Asteria Wang ([email protected]).

As a leader in open access publishing, MDPI is eager to explore new collaboration opportunities, including the launch of new journals and the transfer of existing ones. At present, MDPI publishes over 400 journals, more than 160 of which have established partnerships with academic organizations. Additionally, we publish 19 association journals.

In order to enhance exchange and cooperation with scientific researchers and share the results of open science, MDPI invites experts and scholars from various fields to submit proposals for new journal collaboration opportunities. If your proposal is approved, you could take on the role of Editor-in-Chief, Deputy Editor-in-Chief, or Editorial Board Member of the journal. This position allows you to manage the manuscript review process alongside our editorial department, participate in calls for papers, strengthen your network with scholars in the field, expand scientific research cooperation, enhance your personal and academic influence internationally, and play a leading role in academia.

Once the new journal is online, MDPI will provide a variety of promotional channels to market the journal internationally.

MDPI will offer various promotional channels to enhance its visibility and promote it internationally.

How can you determine the theme of a new journal?

• Assess research hotspots/academic frontiers;
• Assess pioneers in the field/key research directions of universities;
• Determine whether MDPI has already established a journal in the field.

You can browse MDPI’s existing journals at the following link: https://www.mdpi.com/about/journals.

Advantages of collaborating with MDPI:

• MDPI is a global leader in open-access publishing with extensive academic resources.
• MDPI offers a professional publishing team that provides comprehensive support throughout the publishing process.
• MDPI’s diverse promotional platforms and channels help journals quickly increase their international visibility and influence.

We invite you to submit new journal proposal here, and contribute to academic development! In addition, if your institution (university, institute, college, national key laboratory, society, etc.) intends to establish a journal, you can also submit a draft to MDPI on its behalf.

MDPI journals frequently grant travel awards to empower junior researchers to showcase their latest research at academic conferences, thereby amplifying their impact within their research fields.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the 103 recipients of MDPI's 2023 Travel Awards from different countries and territories for their exceptional presentations. These outstanding individuals were selected by the journal editors based on the strength of their research proposals and the anticipated impact of their presentations at academic conferences. We commend their exceptional contributions and wish them continued success in their academic endeavors.

MDPI will continue to provide support and recognition to the academic community. To learn more about the list of awardees, please visit the following pages:

• Biology and Life Sciences;
• Chemistry and Materials Sciences;
• Engineering;
• Environmental and Earth Sciences;
• Medicine and Pharmacology;
• Public Health and Healthcare;
• Others.

About MDPI Awards:

To reward the academic community, especially young researchers, and enhance communication among scientists, MDPI journals regularly offer various awards to researchers in specific fields. These awards, serving as a source of inspiration and recognition, help raise the influence of talented individuals who have been credited with outstanding achievements and are making a significant contribution to the advancement of their fields.

To explore more MDPI awards, please click here.

MDPI’s Best PhD Thesis Awards are granted to promising young scholars whose PhD theses are deemed exceptional within their respective research fields. These awards aim to encourage young scholars to continue their outstanding accomplishments and further contribute to their field.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the 54 winners of the 2023 Best PhD Thesis Awards and wish them success with their future research endeavors.

MDPI will continue to provide support and recognition to the academic community. To learn more about all the awardees and their research projects in your field of study, please visit the following pages:

About MDPI Awards:

To reward the academic community, especially young researchers, and enhance communication among scientists, MDPI journals regularly offer various awards to researchers in specific fields. These awards, serving as a source of inspiration and recognition, help raise the influence of talented individuals who have been credited with outstanding achievements and are making a significant contribution to the advancement of their fields.

To explore more MDPI awards, please click here.

Catalysts (ISSN: 2073-4344) has launched the Section “Catalytic Reaction Engineering”, which aims at publishing original, novel, and high-impact contributions related to new reaction mechanisms, kinetics, and reaction engineering, with an emphasis on the recent progress in sustainable catalysts and catalytic processes.

We welcome you to read the following top cited papers published in 2022 and 2023 in this Section. As open access publications, you have free and unlimited access to the full text of all of the articles published in our journal. We hope that you will also consider contributing to this Section in the near future!

1. “Recent Advances in Multicomponent Reactions Catalysed under Operationally Heterogeneous Conditions”
by Giovanna Bosica and Roderick Abdilla
Catalysts 2022, 12(7), 725; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12070725
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/12/7/725

2. “Low-Temperature SCR Catalyst Development and Industrial Applications in China”
by Hongtai Zhu, Liyun Song, Kai Li, Rui Wu, Wenge Qiu and Hong He
Catalysts 2022, 12(3), 341; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12030341
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/12/3/341

3. “Utilization of Loaded Cobalt onto MCM-48 Mesoporous Catalyst as a Heterogeneous Reaction in a Fixed Bed Membrane Reactor to Produce Isomerization Product from n-Heptane”
by Nisreen S. Ali, Issam K. Salih, Hamed N. Harharah, Hasan Sh. Majdi, Hussein G. Salih, Khairi R. Kalash, Ali Al-Shathr, Farah T. Al-Sudani, Mahir A. Abdulrahman, Jamal M. Alrubaye et al.
Catalysts 2023, 13(7), 1138; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal13071138
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/13/7/1138

4. “Current Developments in the Effective Removal of Environmental Pollutants through Photocatalytic Degradation Using Nanomaterials”
by Chandhinipriya Sivaraman, Shankar Vijayalakshmi, Estelle Leonard, Suresh Sagadevan and Ranjitha Jambulingam
Catalysts 2022, 12(5), 544; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12050544
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/12/5/544

5. “Late Transition Metal Catalysts with Chelating Amines for Olefin Polymerization”
by Huiyun Deng, Handou Zheng, Heng Gao, Lixia Pei and Haiyang Gao
Catalysts 2022, 12(9), 936; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12090936
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/12/9/936

6. “Continuous-Flow Sunlight-Powered CO₂ Methanation Catalyzed by γ-Al₂O₃-Supported Plasmonic Ru Nanorods”
by Jelle Rohlfs, Koen W. Bossers, Nicole Meulendijks, Fidel Valega Mackenzie, Man Xu, Marcel A. Verheijen, Pascal Buskens and Francesc Sastre
Catalysts 2022, 12(2), 126; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12020126
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/12/2/126

7. “Mango Seed-Derived Hybrid Composites and Sodium Alginate Beads for the Efficient Uptake of 2,4,6-Trichlorophenol from Simulated Wastewater”
by Asma Jabeen, Urooj Kamran, Saima Noreen, Soo-Jin Park and Haq Nawaz Bhatti
Catalysts 2022, 12(9), 972; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12090972
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/12/9/972

8. “Synthesis of CaCO₃/Cu₂O/GO Nanocomposite Catalysts for Hydrogen Production from NaBH₄ Methanolysis”
by Majed Alshammari, Sultan Alhassan, Khulaif Alshammari, Turki Alotaibi, Taha Abdel Mohaymen Taha, Alhulw H. Alshammari and Ali Ismael
Catalysts 2023, 13(6), 1010; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal13061010
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/13/6/1010

9. “Effects of Potassium Loading over Iron–Silica Interaction, Phase Evolution and Catalytic Behavior of Precipitated Iron-Based Catalysts for Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis”
by Hai Chang, Quan Lin, Meng Cheng, Kui Zhang, Bo Feng, Jiachun Chai, Yijun Lv and Zhuowu Men
Catalysts 2022, 12(8), 916; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12080916
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/12/8/916

10. “Effect of Morphological Modification over g-C₃N₄ on Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution Performance of g-C₃N₄-Pt Photocatalysts”
by Thi Van Anh Hoang, Phuong Anh Nguyen and Eun Woo Shin
Catalysts 2023, 13(1), 92; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal13010092
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/13/1/92

11. “The Challenges of Integrating the Principles of Green Chemistry and Green Engineering to Heterogeneous Photocatalysis to Treat Water and Produce Green H₂”
by Fernanda Anaya-Rodríguez, Juan C. Durán-Álvarez, K. T. Drisya and Rodolfo Zanella
Catalysts 2023, 13(1), 154; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal13010154
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/13/1/154

12. “State-of-the-Art Review of Oxidative Dehydrogenation of Ethane to Ethylene over MoVNbTeO_x Catalysts”
by Yuxin Chen, Binhang Yan and Yi Cheng
Catalysts 2023, 13(1), 204; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal13010204
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/13/1/204

If you are an active researcher in the field and are passionate about participating in cutting-edge research publications, please do not hesitate to contact the Section Managing Editor, Ms. Janine Li ([email protected]).

Catalysts (ISSN: 2073-4344) has launched the new Section “Computational Catalysis”, which is dedicated to publishing original computational-based investigations within the broad field of catalysis. This includes the development of new computational techniques and screening methods, as well as the rigorous application of current computational tools for discovering new catalysts, reaction mechanisms, or catalytic processes.

We welcome you to read the top cited papers published in our Catalysts in 2022 and 2023. As open access publications, you have free and unlimited access to the full text of all of the articles published in our journal.

1. “Hall Current and Soret Effects on Unsteady MHD Rotating Flow of Second-Grade Fluid through Porous Media under the Influences of Thermal Radiation and Chemical Reactions”
by Omar T Bafakeeh, Kodi Raghunath, Farhan Ali, Muhammad Khalid, El Sayed Mohamed Tag-ElDin, Mowffaq Oreijah, Kamel Guedri, Nidhal Ben Khedher and Muhammad Ijaz Khan
Catalysts 2022, 12(10), 1233; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12101233
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/12/10/1233

2. “Sol-Gel Synthesis of ZnO Nanoparticles Using Different Chitosan Sources: Effects on Antibacterial Activity and Photocatalytic Degradation of AZO Dye”
by Ilham Ben Amor, Hadia Hemmami, Salah Eddine Laouini, Mohammed Sadok Mahboub and Ahmed Barhoum
Catalysts 2022, 12(12), 1611; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12121611
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/12/12/1611

3. “Electrocatalytic Oxygen Reduction to Hydrogen Peroxide on Graphdiyne-Based Single-Atom Catalysts: First-Principles Studies”
by Kangkang Lian, Qiang Wan, Rong Jiang and Sen Lin
Catalysts 2023, 13(2), 307; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal13020307
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/13/2/307

4. “Synthesis, Characterization and Dye Removal Capability of Conducting Polypyrrole/Mn_0.8Zn_0.2Fe₂O₄/Graphite Oxide Ternary Composites”
by Mohamed A. Gabal, Enam A. Al-Harthy, Yasser M. Al Angari, Mohamed Abdel Salam, Ayman Awad, Amany A. Al-Juaid and Abdu Saeed
Catalysts 2022, 12(12), 1624; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12121624
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/12/12/1624

5. “Novel Bifunctional Nitrogen Doped MoS₂/COF-C₄N Vertical Heterostructures for Electrocatalytic HER and OER”
by Nan Zhang, Zhaodi Yang, Wenshan Liu, Fengming Zhang and Hong Yan
Catalysts 2023, 13(1), 90; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal13010090
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/13/1/90

6. “Cu/O Frustrated Lewis Pairs on Cu Doped CeO₂(111) for Acetylene Hydrogenation: A First-Principles Study”
by Shulan Zhou, Qiang Wan and Shulan Zhou
Catalysts 2022, 12(1), 74; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12010074
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/12/1/74

7. “Non-Idealities in Lab-Scale Kinetic Testing: A Theoretical Study of a Modular Temkin Reactor”
by Gregor D. Wehinger, Bjarne Kreitz and C. Franklin Goldsmith
Catalysts 2022, 12(3), 349; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12030349
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/12/3/349

8. “Tailoring of Three-Atom Metal Cluster Catalysts for Ammonia Synthesis”
by Shuo Wang, Tingting Zhao and Likai Yan
Catalysts 2023, 13(5), 869; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal13050869
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/13/5/869

9. “DFT Study of CO₂ Reduction Reaction to CH₃OH on Low-Index Cu Surfaces”
by Auhood S. Al-Soihi, Qana A. Alsulami and Mohamed Mokhtar M. Mostafa
Catalysts 2022, 12(10), 1200; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12101200
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/13/4/722

10. “Recent Strategies in Nickel-Catalyzed C–H Bond Functionalization for Nitrogen-Containing Heterocycles”
by Ke Yang, Zhi Li, Qingyue Hu, Mazen Elsaid, Chong Liu, Jun Chen and Haibo Ge
Catalysts 2022, 12(10), 1163; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12101163
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/13/4/722

If you are an active researcher in the field and are passionate about participating in cutting-edge research publications, please do not hesitate to contact our Section Managing Editor Ms. Cathy Yang.

The Section “Biomass Catalysis” in the journal Catalysts (ISSN: 2073-4344) publishes original and high-quality research communications, articles, and review articles in the areas of the catalytic conversion of biomass and its derivatives into (gas, liquid, or solid) chemicals, fuels, and materials.

The focus of this Section is on the understanding of catalytic processes for biomass conversion at the micro-, meso-, and macro-scales, including (1) the rational design and synthesis of advanced catalysts, (2) the characterization of their structures and active sites, (3) the understanding of the catalytic mechanism, and (4) the resulting catalytic processes and technologies.

Our goal is to make high-quality and impactful research in biomass catalytic conversion promptly and easily accessible to a worldwide audience to accelerate progress in renewable sources conversion, with the aim of contributing to a more sustainable future.

We welcome you to read the top cited papers published in 2022 and 2023 in this Section. As our journal is open access, you have free and unlimited access to the full text of all the articles published in it.

1. “Carbon Quantum Dots: Synthesis, Structure, Properties, and Catalytic Applications for Organic Synthesis”
by Pradeep Kumar Yadav, Subhash Chandra, Vivek Kumar, Deepak Kumar and Syed Hadi Hasan
Catalysts 2023, 13(2), 422; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal13020422
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/13/2/422

2. “A Review on Production and Surface Modifications of Biochar Materials via Biomass Pyrolysis Process for Supercapacitor Applications”
by Rifat Mehdi, Asif Hussain Khoja, Salman Raza Naqvi, Ningbo Gao and Nor Aishah Saidina Amin
Catalysts 2022, 12(7), 798; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12070798
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/12/7/798

3. “An Overview of the Latest Advances in the Catalytic Synthesis of Glycerol Carbonate”
by Debora Procopio and Maria Luisa Di Gioia
Catalysts 2022, 12(1), 50; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12010050
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/12/1/50

4. “Chemicals Production from Glycerol through Heterogeneous Catalysis: A Review”
by Parvaneh Koranian, Qian Huang, Ajay Kumar Dalai and Ramaswami Sammynaiken
Catalysts 2022, 12(8), 897; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12080897
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/12/8/897

5. “Value-Added Products from Catalytic Pyrolysis of Lignocellulosic Biomass and Waste Plastics over Biochar-Based Catalyst: A State-of-the-Art Review”
by Peng Li, Kun Wan, Huan Chen, Fangjuan Zheng, Zhuo Zhang, Bo Niu, Yayun Zhang and Donghui Long
Catalysts 2022, 12(9), 1067; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12091067
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/12/9/1067

6. “Biodegradation of Congo Red Using Co-Culture Anode Inoculum in a Microbial Fuel Cell”
by Kalpana Sharma, Soumya Pandit, Bhim Sen Thapa and Manu Pant
Catalysts 2022, 12(10), 1219; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12101219
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/12/10/1219

7. “Lignin Depolymerization in the Presence of Base, Hydrogenation Catalysts, and Ethanol”
by Iuliia Romanenko, Felix Kurz, Robert Baumgarten, Ivana Jevtovikj, Jean-Pierre Lindner, Arunabha Kundu, Alois Kindler and Stephan Andreas Schunk
Catalysts 2022, 12(2), 158; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12020158
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/12/2/158

8. “Whole Cell Biocatalysis of 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural for Sustainable Biorefineries”
by Joana T. Cunha, Aloia Romaní and Lucília Domingues
Catalysts 2022, 12(2), 202; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12020202
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/12/2/202

9. “Catalytic Pyrolysis of High-Density Polyethylene: Decomposition Efficiency and Kinetics”
by Hadas Raveh-Amit, Florent Lemont, Gabriela Bar-Nes, Ofra Klein-BenDavid, Nissim Banano, Svetlana Gelfer, Patrice Charvin, Tahriri Bin Rozaini, Johann Sedan and François Rousset
Catalysts 2022, 12(2), 140; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12020140
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/12/2/140

10. “Comparative Catalytic Performance Study of 12-Tungstophosphoric Heteropoly Acid Supported on Mesoporous Supports for Biodiesel Production from Unrefined Green Seed Canola Oil”
by Fahimeh Esmi, Shima Masoumi and Ajay K. Dalai
Catalysts 2022, 12(6), 658; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12060658
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/12/6/658

If you are an active researcher in the field and are passionate about participating in cutting-edge research publications, please do not hesitate to contact the Section Managing Editor, Ms. Cathy Yang ([email protected]).

Catalysts (ISSN: 2073-4344) has launched the Section “Biocatalysis”. The Section is dedicated to publishing original, novel, and high-impact contributions related to this cross-disciplinary field of biotechnology, and will attract the interest of chemists, enzymologists, microbiologists, molecular biologists, polymer scientists, bioinformaticians, and engineers.

As they are of open access format, you have free and unlimited access to the full text of all the articles published in our journal. We welcome you to read our most highly cited papers published in 2022 and 2023:

1. “A Review on Biological Synthesis of the Biodegradable Polymers Polyhydroxyalkanoates and the Development of Multiple Applications”
by Bryan Dalton, Purabi Bhagabati, Jessica De Micco, Ramesh Babu Padamati and Kevin O’Connor
Catalysts 2022, 12(3), 319; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12030319
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/12/3/319

2. “Agro-Industrial Food Waste as a Low-Cost Substrate for Sustainable Production of Industrial Enzymes: A Critical Review”
by Vishal Sharma, Mei-Ling Tsai, Parushi Nargotra, Chiu-Wen Chen, Chia-Hung Kuo, Pei-Pei Sun and Cheng-Di Dong
Catalysts 2022, 12(11), 1373; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12111373
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/12/11/1373

3. “Microbial Lignocellulolytic Enzymes for the Effective Valorization of Lignocellulosic Biomass: A Review”
by Parushi Nargotra, Vishal Sharma, Yi-Chen Lee, Yung-Hsiang Tsai, Yung-Chuan Liu, Chwen-Jen Shieh, Mei-Ling Tsai, Cheng-Di Dong and Chia-Hung Kuo
Catalysts 2023, 13(1), 83; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal13010083
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/13/1/83

4. “Evolving New Chemistry: Biocatalysis for the Synthesis of Amine-Containing Pharmaceuticals”
by Wojciech Zawodny and Sarah Louise Montgomery
Catalysts 2022, 12(6), 595; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12060595
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/12/6/595

5. “Discovery and Heterologous Expression of Unspecific Peroxygenases”
by Katharina Ebner, Lukas J. Pfeifenberger, Claudia Rinnofner, Veronika Schusterbauer, Anton Glieder and Margit Winkler
Catalysts 2023, 13(1), 206; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal13010206
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/13/1/206

6. “Lignin Valorization: Production of High Value-Added Compounds by Engineered Microorganisms”
by Elena Rosini, Filippo Molinari, Davide Miani and Loredano Pollegioni
Catalysts 2023, 13(3), 555; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal13030555
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/13/3/555

7. “Diclofenac Biodegradation by Microorganisms and with Immobilised Systems—A Review”
by Danuta Wojcieszyńska, Karolina Łagoda and Urszula Guzik
Catalysts 2023, 13(2), 412; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal13020412
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/13/2/412

8. “Metagenomic Approaches as a Tool to Unravel Promising Biocatalysts from Natural Resources: Soil and Water”
by Joana Sousa, Sara C. Silvério, Angela M. A. Costa and Ligia R. Rodrigues
Catalysts 2022, 12(4), 385; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12040385
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/12/4/385

9. “Bayesian Optimization for an ATP-Regenerating In Vitro Enzyme Cascade”
by Regine Siedentop, Maximilian Siska, Niklas Möller, Hannah Lanzrath, Eric von Lieres, Stephan Lütz and Katrin Rosenthal
Catalysts 2023, 13(3), 468; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal13030468
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/13/3/468

10. “Transesterification of Soybean Oil through Different Homogeneous Catalysts: Kinetic Study”
by José María Encinar, Juan Félix González, Gloria Martínez and Sergio Nogales-Delgado
Catalysts 2022, 12(2), 146; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12020146
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/12/2/146

If you are an active researcher in the field and are passionate about participating in cutting-edge research publications, please do not hesitate to contact the Managing Editor, Ms. Bella Zhang ([email protected]).

Catalysts (ISSN: 2073-4344) has launched the Section “Catalysis in Organic and Polymer Chemistry”, which is dedicated to publishing original and high-quality research communications, articles, and review articles on topics related to organic and polymer synthesis using catalysts (e.g., metal catalysts and organocatalysts). It covers the broad fields of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis as well as organic, organometallic, inorganic, and bioinorganic chemistry.

As they are of open access format, you have free and unlimited access to the full text of all the articles published in our journal. We invite you to read our top cited papers published in 2022 and 2023, as listed below:

1. “Green Chemistry in Organic Synthesis: Recent Update on Green Catalytic Approaches in Synthesis of 1,2,4-Thiadiazoles”
by Laila Rubab, Ayesha Anum, Sami A. Al-Hussain, Ali Irfan, Sajjad Ahmad, Sami Ullah, Aamal A. Al-Mutairi and Magdi E. A. Zaki
Catalysts 2022, 12(11), 1329; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12111329
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/12/11/1329

2. “Direct Catalytic Amidations from Carboxylic Acid and Ester Derivatives: A Review”
by Armand Taussat, Renata Marcia de Figueiredo and Jean-Marc Campagne
Catalysts 2023, 13(2), 366; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal13020366
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/13/2/366

3. “Recent Advances of Green Catalytic System I₂/DMSO in C–C and C–Heteroatom Bonds Formation”
by Jia-Qi Wang, Zhen-Yu Zuo and Wei He
Catalysts 2022, 12(8), 821; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12080821
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/12/8/821

4. “A Review on the Green Synthesis of Benzimidazole Derivatives and Their Pharmacological Activities”
by Monica Nardi, Natividad Carolina Herrera Cano, Svilen Simeonov, Renata Bence, Atanas Kurutos, Rosa Scarpelli, Daniel Wunderlin and Antonio Procopio
Catalysts 2023, 13(2), 392; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal13020392
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/13/2/392

5. “Microwave-Assisted Biodiesel Production Using UiO-66 MOF Derived Nanocatalyst: Process Optimization Using Response Surface Methodology”
by Shiva Prasad Gouda, Jasha Momo H. Anal, Puneet Kumar, Amarajothi Dhakshinamoorthy, Umer Rashid and Samuel Lalthazuala Rokhum
Catalysts 2022, 12(11), 1312; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12111312
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/12/11/1312

6. “Photocatalyzed Oxygenation Reactions with Organic Dyes: State of the Art and Future Perspectives”
by Mattia Forchetta, Francesca Valentini, Valeria Conte, Pierluca Galloni and Federica Sabuzi
Catalysts 2023, 13(2), 220; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal13020220
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/13/2/220

7. “Supported Metal Catalysts for the Synthesis of N-Heterocycles”
by Laura Antonella Aronica and Gianluigi Albano
Catalysts 2022, 12(1), 68; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12010068
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/12/1/68

8. “Synthesis of Conjugated Dienes in Natural Compounds”
by Geoffrey Dumonteil and Sabine Berteina-Raboin
Catalysts 2022, 12(1), 86; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12010086
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/12/1/86

9. “Heterocycles by Consecutive Multicomponent Syntheses via Catalytically Generated Alkynoyl Intermediates”
by Jonas Niedballa and Thomas J. J. Müller
Catalysts 2022, 12(1), 90; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12010090
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/12/1/90

10. “Horizons in Asymmetric Organocatalysis: En Route to the Sustainability and New Applications”
by Sandra Ardevines, Eugenia Marqués-López and Raquel P. Herrera
Catalysts 2022, 12(1), 101; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12010101
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/12/1/101

If you are an active researcher in the field and are passionate about participating in cutting-edge research publications, please do not hesitate to contact Section Managing Editor, Mr. Ives Liu ([email protected]).

Conference: The 29th Ibero-American Catalysis Congress (XXIX CICAT)
Date: 23–27 September 2024
Location: Bilbao, Spain

After the last two congresses in Mexico and Brazil being entirely virtual, the XXIX CICAT will be an opportunity to gather together in the city of Bilbao, to share experiences in person, and for closer contact and collaboration between researchers, professionals, and students. This year’s theme is “Catalysis: Innovating for a Changing World” and is aimed at attaining the Sustainable Development Goals. The emphasis will be on areas of importance for the Ibero-American community.

The following MDPI journals will be represented at the conference:

• Catalysts;
• Biomass;
• Applied Sciences;
• Applied Nano;
• Colloids & Interfaces;
• Materials;
• Organics;
• Processes.

If you are planning to attend the above conference, please feel free to stop by our booth (#4) and start a conversation with us. Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person and answering any questions that you may have. For more information about the conference, please visit the following link: https://www.cicat2024.com/.

Catalysts (ISSN: 2073-4344) has launched the Section “Nanostructured Catalysts”, which is dedicated to publishing original and high-quality research communications, articles, and review articles on topics covering the design, synthesis, modeling, and catalytic application of nanomaterials. This Section covers the broad fields of catalysis via nanoparticles (including colloidal, supported, alloy, and core–shell structures), nanocomposites (where intimate contact is engineered between two or more unique phases at the nanoscale), nanoporous materials (including zeolites and MOFs), and single atoms or sites (including single-atom alloys and immobilized homogeneous catalysts).

As they are published in an open access format, you have free and unlimited access to the full text of all articles published in our journal. We invite you to read our top cited papers published in 2022 and 2023, which are listed below:

1. “Classification, Synthetic, and Characterization Approaches to Nanoparticles, and Their Applications in Various Fields of Nanotechnology: A Review”
by Yousaf Khan, Haleema Sadia, Syed Zeeshan Ali Shah, Muhammad Naeem Khan, Amjad Ali Shah, Naimat Ullah, Muhammad Farhat Ullah, Humaira Bibi, Omar T. Bafakeeh, Nidhal Ben Khedher et al.
Catalysts 2022, 12(11), 1386; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12111386
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/12/11/1386

2. “Plant-Based Copper Oxide Nanoparticles; Biosynthesis, Characterization, Antibacterial Activity, Tanning Wastewater Treatment, and Heavy Metals Sorption”
by Ahmed M. Eid, Amr Fouda, Saad El-Din Hassan, Mohammed F. Hamza, Nada K. Alharbi, Amr Elkelish, Afaf Alharthi and Waheed M. Salem
Catalysts 2023, 13(2), 348; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal13020348
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/13/2/348

3. “Nano-Biochar as a Sustainable Catalyst for Anaerobic Digestion: A Synergetic Closed-Loop Approach”
by Lalit Goswami, Anamika Kushwaha, Anju Singh, Pathikrit Saha, Yoseok Choi, Mrutyunjay Maharana, Satish V. Patil and Beom Soo Kim
Catalysts 2022, 12(2), 186; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12020186
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/12/2/186

4. “Sulfur Vacancies Enriched 2D ZnIn2S4 Nanosheets for Improving Photoelectrochemical Performance”
by Sujuan Hu, Li Jin, Wangyu Si, Baoling Wang and Mingshan Zhu
Catalysts 2022, 12(4), 400; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12040400
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/12/4/400

5. “Recent Advances in Endocrine Disrupting Compounds Degradation through Metal Oxide-Based Nanomaterials”
by Claudio Imparato, Aurelio Bifulco, Brigida Silvestri and Giuseppe Vitiello
Catalysts 2022, 12(3), 289; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12030289
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/12/3/289

6. “Recent Advances on Metal Oxide Based Nano-Photocatalysts as Potential Antibacterial and Antiviral Agents”
by Jai Prakash,Suresh Babu Naidu Krishna, Promod Kumar,Vinod Kumar, Kalyan S. Ghosh, Hendrik C. Swart, Stefano Bellucci and Junghyun Cho
Catalysts 2022, 12(9), 1047; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12091047
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/12/9/1047

7. “Effect of Different Iron Phases of Fe/SiO₂ Catalyst in CO₂ Hydrogenation under Mild Conditions”
by Paphatsara Sirikulbodee, Monrudee Phongaksorn, Thana Sornchamni, Tanakorn Ratana and Sabaithip Tungkamani
Catalysts 2022, 12(7), 698; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12070698
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/12/7/698

8. “Towards High CO₂ Conversions Using Cu/Zn Catalysts Supported on Aluminum Fumarate Metal-Organic Framework for Methanol Synthesis”
by Zama G. Duma, John Moma, Henrietta W. Langmi, Benoit Louis, Ksenia Parkhomenko and Nicholas M. Musyoka
Catalysts 2022, 12(10), 1104; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12101104
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/12/10/1104

9. “Carbon Dioxide Conversion on Supported Metal Nanoparticles: A Brief Review”
by Sergio Posada-Pérez, Miquel Solà and Albert Poater
Catalysts 2023, 13(2), 305; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal13020305
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/13/2/305

10. “Spark Ablation for the Fabrication of PEM Water Electrolysis Catalyst-Coated Membranes”
by Foteini M. Sapountzi, Marek Lavorenti, Wilbert Vrijburg, Sofia Dimitriadou, Beata Tyburska-Pueschel, Peter Thüne, Hans Niemantsverdriet, Tobias V. Pfeiffer and Mihalis N. Tsampas
Catalysts 2022, 12(11), 1343; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12111343
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/12/11/1343

If you are an active researcher in the field and are passionate about participating in cutting-edge research publications, please do not hesitate to contact the Section Managing Editor, Ms. Patty Ge ([email protected]).

Catalysts (ISSN: 2073-4344) has recently launched the Section “Catalytic Materials”. Catalytic materials exist in several forms and can be prepared using various methods involving different schemes and protocols. They can also be applied in many fields, such as environmental and sustainable catalysis, biomass valorization, renewable fuel production, CO₂ recycling, synthetic chemistry, gas storage/capture, drug delivery, catalysis, photocatalysis, chemical sensing, etc. The present Section on catalytic materials aims to advance our understanding of heterogeneous catalysis, offering a comprehensive investigation of physicochemical properties, catalytic applications, and the structure–activity relationship.

As they are published in an open access format, you have free and unlimited access to the full text of all of the articles published in our journal. We invite you to read our most highly cited papers published in 2022 and 2023:

1. “Metal-Supported Biochar Catalysts for Sustainable Biorefinery, Electrocatalysis, and Energy Storage Applications: A Review”
by Rubén Ramos, Víctor K. Abdelkader-Fernández, Renata Matos, Andreia F. Peixoto and Diana M. Fernandes
Catalysts 2022, 12(2), 207; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12020207
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/12/2/207

2. “Application of Heterogeneous Catalytic Ozonation in Wastewater Treatment: An Overview”
by Xingxing Li, Li Fu, Fei Chen, Shichao Zhao, Jiangwei Zhu and Chengliang Yin
Catalysts 2023, 13(2), 342; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal13020342  
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/13/2/342

3. “Hydrogen Storage in Complex Metal Hydrides NaBH₄: Hydrolysis Reaction and Experimental Strategies”
by Mirela Dragan
Catalysts 2022, 12(4), 356; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12040356
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/12/4/356

4. “Oxygen-Deficient Engineering for Perovskite Oxides in the Application of AOPs: Regulation, Detection, and Reduction Mechanism”
by Jiayu Yu, Huanhuan Li, Naipeng Lin, Yishu Gong, Hu Jiang, Jiajia Chen, Yin Wang and Xiaodong Zhang
Catalysts 2023, 13(1), 148; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal13010148
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/13/1/148

5. “Copper-Based Metal–Organic Frameworks (MOFs) as an Emerging Catalytic Framework for Click Chemistry”
by Riddima Singh, Gurleen Singh, Nancy George, Gurjaspreet Singh, Sofia Gupta, Harminder Singh, Gurpreet Kaur and Jandeep Singh
Catalysts 2023, 13(1), 130; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal13010130
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/13/1/130

6. “Recent Progress in Two-Dimensional Materials for Electrocatalytic CO₂ Reduction”
by Song Lu, Fengliu Lou and Zhixin Yu
Catalysts 2022, 12(2), 228; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12020228
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/12/2/228

7. “Recent Progress on Ruthenium-Based Electrocatalysts towards the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction”
by Lulu Li, Fenyang Tian, Longyu Qiu, Fengyu Wu, Weiwei Yang and Yongsheng Yu
Catalysts 2023, 13(12), 1497; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal13121497
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/13/12/1497

8. “Mesoporous Carbon-Based Materials: A Review of Synthesis, Modification, and Applications”
by Shahram Mehdipour-Ataei and Elham Aram
Catalysts 2023, 13(1), 2; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal13010002
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/13/1/2

9. “Recent Progress on Sulfated Nanozirconia as a Solid Acid Catalyst in the Hydrocracking Reaction”
by Serly Jolanda Sekewael, Remi Ayu Pratika, Latifah Hauli, Amalia Kurnia Amin, Maisari Utami and Karna Wijaya
Catalysts 2022, 12(2), 191; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12020191
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/12/2/191

10. “Insight into the Photocatalytic Activity of Cobalt-Based Metal–Organic Frameworks and Their Composites”
by Aleksander Ejsmont, Agata Jankowska and Joanna Goscianska
Catalysts 2022, 12(2), 110; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12020110
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/12/2/110

If you are an active researcher in the field and are passionate about participating in cutting-edge research publications, please do not hesitate to contact the Section Managing Editor, Ms. Rita Lin.

Catalysts (ISSN: 2073-4344) has recently launched the Section “Catalysis for Sustainable Energy”. The Section is dedicated to publishing original and high-quality research communications, articles, and reviews on catalytic reactions that enable the sustainable production and transformation of energy.

As they are published in open access format, you have free and unlimited access to the full text of all of the articles published in our journal. We invite you to read the top-cited papers published in this Section in 2022–2023:

1. “Advanced Nickel-Based Catalysts for Urea Oxidation Reaction: Challenges and Developments”
by Yaming Ma, Chenxiang Ma, Yingche Wang and Ke Wang
Catalysts 2022, 12(3), 337; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12030337  
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/12/3/337

2. “Octahedral Cluster Complex of Molybdenum as Oil-Soluble Catalyst for Improving In Situ Upgrading of Heavy Crude Oil: Synthesis and Application”
by Omar F. Al-Mishaal, Muneer A. Suwaid, Ameen A. Al-Muntaser, Mohammed Amine Khelkhal, Mikhail A. Varfolomeev, Richard Djimasbe, Rustem R. Zairov, Shadi A. Saeed, Natalya A. Vorotnikova, Michael A. Shestopalov et al.
Catalysts 2022, 12(10), 1125; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12101125
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/12/10/1125

3. “CeO₂-Based Heterogeneous Catalysts in Dry Reforming Methane and Steam Reforming Methane: A Short Review”
by Wan Nabilah Manan, Wan Nor Roslam Wan Isahak and Zahira Yaakob
Catalysts 2022, 12(5), 452; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12050452
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/12/5/452

4. “Recent Advances in Perovskite Catalysts for Efficient Overall Water Splitting”
by Conghui Si, Wenchao Zhang, Qifang Lu, Enyan Guo, Zhou Yang, Jiyun Chen, Xinya He and Jing Luo
Catalysts 2022, 12(6), 601; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12060601
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/12/6/601

5. “Recent Advances on Small Band Gap Semiconductor Materials (≤2.1 eV) for Solar Water Splitting”
by Hefeng Zhang, Jiaqi Liu, Ting Xu, Wenqian Ji and Xu Zong
Catalysts 2023, 13(4), 728; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal13040728
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/13/4/728

6. “Environmental Remediation through Catalytic Inhibition of Steel Corrosion by Schiff’s Bases: Electrochemical and Biological Aspects”
by Ahmed A. Farag, Arafat Toghan, Mohsen S. Mostafa, Chen Lan and Guanglu Ge
Catalysts 2022, 12(8), 838; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12080838
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/12/8/838

7. “Pd-Decorated 2D MXene (2D Ti₃C₂Ti_x) as a High-Performance Electrocatalyst for Reduction of Carbon Dioxide into Fuels toward Climate Change Mitigation”
by Bharath Govindan, Rajesh Madhu, Mohammad Abu Haija, Fedor V. Kusmartsev and Fawzi Banat
Catalysts 2022, 12(10), 1180; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12101180
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/12/10/1180

If you are an active researcher in the field and are passionate about participating in cutting-edge research publications, please do not hesitate to contact the Section Managing Editor, Ms. Rita Lin.

Catalysts (ISSN: 2073-4344) has launched the Section “Photocatalysis”. This Section is dedicated to publishing original, novel, and high-impact contributions related to the cross-disciplinary fields of photochemistry, photoelectrochemistry, and catalysis, and it will attract the interest of chemists, physicists, biochemists, surface and materials scientists, and engineers. Photocatalysts are of great importance since they can be utilized in a large array of research fields, including solar energy conversion, photosensible sensors, wastewater and air treatment, organic as well as inorganic synthesis, and surface science and storage devices.

As they are presented in an open access format, you have free and unlimited access to the full text of all the articles published in our journal. We welcome you to read our most highly cited papers published in 2022 and 2023, as follows:

1. “Photocatalytic Degradation of Organic and Inorganic Pollutants to Harmless End Products: Assessment of Practical Application Potential for Water and Air Cleaning”
by Monica Pavel, Crina Anastasescu, Razvan-Nicolae State, Anca Vasile, Florica Papa and Ioan Balint
Catalysts 2023, 13(2), 380; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal13020380
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/13/2/380

2. “Metal Sulfide Photocatalysts for Hydrogen Generation: A Review of Recent Advances”
by Zamin Mamiyev and Narmina O. Balayeva
Catalysts 2022, 12(11), 1316; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12111316
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/12/11/1316

3. “Titanium Dioxide as the Most Used Photocatalyst for Water Purification: An Overview”
by Sanja J. Armaković, Maria M. Savanović and Stevan Armaković
Catalysts 2023, 13(1), 26; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal13010026
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/13/1/26

4. “Preparation and Photocatalytic Activities of TiO₂-Based Composite Catalysts”
by Huaitao Yang, Beibei Yang, Wei Chen and Junjiao Yang
Catalysts 2022, 12(10), 1263; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12101263
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/12/10/1263

5. “Heterogeneous Advanced Oxidation Processes: Current Approaches for Wastewater Treatment”
by Gabriela Lama, Jessica Meijide, Angeles Sanromán and Marta Pazos
Catalysts 2022, 12(3), 344; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12030344
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/12/3/344

6. “Photothermal-Assisted Photocatalytic Degradation of Tetracycline in Seawater Based on the Black g-C₃N₄ Nanosheets with Cyano Group Defects”
by Loic Jiresse Nguetsa Kuate, Zhouze Chen, Jialin Lu, Huabing Wen, Feng Guo and Weilong Shi
Catalysts 2023, 13(7), 1147; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal13071147
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/13/7/1147

7. “Controlling the Structural Properties and Optical Bandgap of PbO–Al₂O₃ Nanocomposites for Enhanced Photodegradation of Methylene Blue”
by Abdelazim M. Mebed, Alaa M. Abd-Elnaiem, Alhulw H. Alshammari, Taha A. Taha, Mohamed Rashad and Dalia Hamad
Catalysts 2022, 12(2), 142; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12020142
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/12/2/142

8. “Photochemical Water Splitting via Transition Metal Oxides”
by Fateh Mikaeili, Tessa Gilmore and Pelagia-Iren Gouma
Catalysts 2022, 12(11), 1303; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12111303
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/12/11/1303

9. “Applications of Fluorescent Carbon Dots as Photocatalysts: A Review”
by Ricardo M. S. Sendão, Joaquim C. G. Esteves da Silva and Luís Pinto da Silva
Catalysts 2023, 13(1), 179; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal13010179
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/13/1/179

10. “Cocatalysts for Photocatalytic Overall Water Splitting: A Mini Review”
by Li Tian, Xiangjiu Guan, Shichao Zong, Anna Dai and Jingkuo Qu
Catalysts 2023, 13(2), 355; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal13020355
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/13/2/355

If you are an active researcher in the field and are passionate about participating in cutting-edge research publications, please do not hesitate to contact Section Managing Editor Ms. Abigail Zhao ([email protected]).

Catalysts (ISSN: 2073-4344) has launched the Section “Electrocatalysis”, which aims at publishing original, novel, and high-impact works related to the cross-disciplinary field of electrocatalysis. This includes the electrochemical conversion of CO₂, electroanalytical sensors, wastewater treatment, oxygen reduction reactions, and electrochemical reactions in fuel cells, electrolysers, metal–air batteries, and other energy conversion or storage devices.

We welcome you to read the top cited papers published in 2022 and 2023. As they are open access publications, you have free and unlimited access to the full text of all the articles published in our journal.

1. “Recent Advances in Seawater Electrolysis”
by Siqi Jiang, Hongli Suo, Teng Zhang, Caizhi Liao, Yun-Xiao Wang, Qinglan Zhao and Wei-Hong Lai
Catalysts 2022, 12(2), 123; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12020123
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/12/2/123

2. “A Novel Electrochemical Sensing Platform for the Sensitive Detection and Degradation Monitoring of Methylene Blue”
by Afzal Shah, Muhammad Mazhar Hayat, Jan Nisar, Iltaf Shah, Abdul Haleem and Muhammad Naeem Ashiq
Catalysts 2022, 12(3), 306; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12030306
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/12/3/306

3. “Platinum-Containing Nanoparticles on N-Doped Carbon Supports as an Advanced Electrocatalyst for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction”
by Anastasia Alekseenko, Angelina Pavlets, Elizaveta Moguchikh, Mikhail Tolstunov, Evgeny Gribov, Sergey Belenov and Vladimir Guterman
Catalysts 2023, 13(2), 286; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12040414
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/12/4/414

4. “High-Efficiency Oxygen Reduction to Hydrogen Peroxide Catalyzed by Oxidized Mo₂TiC₂ MXene”
by Ge Li, Bin Zhou, Ping Wang, Miao He, Zhao Fang, Xilin Yuan, Weiwei Wang, Xiaohua Sun and Zhenxing Li
Catalysts 2022, 12(8), 850; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12080850
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/12/8/850

5. “Recent Advances in Heterogeneous Electroreduction of CO₂ on Copper-Based Catalysts”
by Bowen Wu, Jian Chen and Linping Qian
Catalysts 2023, 13(2), 286; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12080860  
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/12/8/860

6. “Advanced Electrocatalysts for the Oxygen Evolution Reaction: From Single- to Multielement Materials”
by America Higareda, Diana Laura Hernández-Arellano, Luis Carlos Ordoñez, Romeli Barbosa and Nicolas Alonso-Vante
Catalysts 2023, 13(2), 286; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal13101346
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/13/10/1346

7. “Recent Progress of Non-Noble Metal Catalysts for Oxygen Electrode in Zn-Air Batteries: A Mini Review”
by Jia Sun, Ning Wang, Zhaozhong Qiu, Lixin Xing and Lei Du
Catalysts 2023, 13(2), 286; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12080843
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/12/8/843

8. “Giving New Life to Waste Cigarette Butts: Transformation into Platinum Group Metal-Free Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Reduction Reaction in Acid, Neutral and Alkaline Environment”
by Davide Testa, Giovanni Zuccante, Mohsin Muhyuddin, Roberto Landone, Axel Scommegna, Roberto Lorenzi, Maurizio Acciarri, Elisabetta Petri, Francesca Soavi, Lorenzo Poggini et al.
Catalysts 2023, 13(2), 286; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal13030635
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/13/3/635

9. “Alkaline Media Regulated NiFe-LDH-Based Nickel–Iron Phosphides toward Robust Overall Water Splitting”
by Xiaohu Xu, Xinyue Yu, Kaiwei Guo, Lijuan Dong and Xiangyang Miao
Catalysts 2023, 13(2), 286; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal13010198
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/13/1/198

10. “A Critical Review on Artificial Intelligence for Fuel Cell Diagnosis”
by Somasundaram Chandra Kishore, Suguna Perumal, Raji Atchudan, Muthulakshmi Alagan, Ashok K. Sundramoorthy and Yong Rok Lee
Catalysts 2023, 13(2), 286; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12070743
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/12/7/743

11.“Recent Progress in Electrocatalytic CO₂ Reduction to Pure Formic Acid Using a Solid-State Electrolyte Device”
by Yeomin Kang, Taekyung Kim, Koo Young Jung and Ki Tae Park
Catalysts 2023, 13(2), 286; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal13060955
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/13/6/955

12. “Heterostructured Cu/CuO Nanoparticles Embedded within N-Doped Carbon Nanosheets for Efficient Oxygen Reduction Reaction”
by Guoting Xu, Jianfeng Huang, Xiaoyi Li, Qian Chen, Yajie Xie, Zhenting Liu, Koji Kajiyoshi, Lingling Wu, Liyun Cao and Liangliang Feng
Catalysts 2023, 13(2), 286; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal13020255
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/13/2/255

13. “Ultrafast and Facile Synthesis of (Ni/Fe/Mo)OOH on Ni Foam for Oxygen Evolution Reaction in Seawater Electrolysis”
by Li Xu, Yuxuan Dong, Wei Xu and Wen Zhang
Catalysts 2023, 13(2), 286; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal13060924
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/13/6/924

14. “Research Progress of Copper-Based Bimetallic Electrocatalytic Reduction of CO₂”
by Haiyan Zhu
Catalysts 2023, 13(2), 286; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal13020376
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/13/2/376

15. “Development and Optimization of Air-Electrodes for Rechargeable Zn–Air Batteries”
by Khair Un Nisa, Williane Da Silva Freitas, Jorge Montero, Alessandra D'Epifanio and Barbara Mecheri
Catalysts 2023, 13(2), 286; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal13101319
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/13/10/1319

At Catalysts, we are passionate about the fast distribution of quality science. If you are also working in the electrocatalysis field and would like to enjoy our professional open access publishing service, you are welcome to contact our journal’s Editor Dr. Maeve Yue ([email protected]).

MDPI’s Young Investigator Awards recognize promising early career scientists, acknowledge their contributions, and foster collaboration within the scientific community. We are proud to announce the recipients for 2023, who were carefully selected by the journals’ esteemed Award Evaluation Committee.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the 79 winners of MDPI’s 2023 Young Investigator Awards for their excellent contributions in their research field. We look forward to seeing these rising stars continue to contribute to the advancement of science.

MDPI will continue to support and recognize the academic community. To explore details about the awardees by field, please visit the individual pages listed below:

Congratulations to all the winners for their exceptional contributions and dedication to advancing scientific research.

About MDPI Awards:
To support the academic community, particularly young researchers, and to enhance communication among scientists, MDPI journals regularly offer various awards to researchers in specific fields. These awards, serving as a source of inspiration and recognition, help to elevate the profiles of talented individuals who have made outstanding achievements and are making significant contributions to advancements in their respective fields.

To find out more about MDPI awards, please click here.

Conference: Euromembrane 2024
Date: 8–12 September 2024
Location: Prague, Czech Republic

MDPI will be attending Euromembrane 2024 as an exhibitor, welcoming researchers from diverse backgrounds to visit and share their latest ideas.

Euromembrane 2024 is an academic conference bringing together researchers and practitioners from different fields and industries who are interested in membrane processes. The conference will also provide opportunities for networking and collaboration among the participants, as well as showcase the latest developments and innovations in membrane processes. The conference is organized by the European Membrane Society (EMS), which was founded in 1982 and is an international non-profit organization whose aim is to promote cooperation between scientists and engineers involved in research and development in the field of synthetic membranes and membrane processes.

The following MDPI journals will be represented:

• Membranes;
• Organics;
• Separations;
• Catalysts;

MDPI will be attending the Materials Science and Engineering Congress 2024, which will be held from 24 to 26 September 2024 in Darmstadt, Germany. This event is organized by the German Society for Materials Science (DGM), which is the largest scientific and technical society in the field of materials science and engineering in Germany.

The areas of focus for the conference include the following:

• Biomaterials;
• Characterization;
• Digital transformation;
• Functional materials, surfaces and devices;
• Circular materials;
• Modeling and simulation;
• Processing and synthesis;
• Structural materials.

The following MDPI journals will be represented at the conference:

• Materials;
• Molecules;
• Polymers;
• Inorganics;
• Symmetry;
• Membranes;
• Crystals;
• Bioengineering;
• Surfaces;
• JFB;
• Metals;
• Micromachines;
• Polysaccharides;
• Chemistry;
• Compounds;
• Organics;
• Macromol;
• Solids;
• Catalysts.

If you are planning to attend the above conference, please feel free to stop by our booth. Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person to answer any questions that you may have. For more information about the conference, please visit the following link: https://dgm.de/mse/2024/.

In May, MDPI Romania held three author training sessions – one endorsing an external event and two stand-alone sessions.

The National Session of Scientific Student Communications took place at Technical University Cluj on 17 and 18 May 2024. MDPI Romania sponsored this event and contributed an author training session on the production of research papers and case study analyses. JRS Norbert Kiss gave a presentation called The World of Open Access to explain different open access publishing models and the benefits of open access publishing. His presentation highlighted the impact of open access publishing on scientific progress and innovation.

On 29 May 2024, MDPI Romania hosted an author training session for Ph.D. students, early career researchers, and professors at the Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy. In collaboration with Prof. Andreea Arsene, JRS Ioana Paunescu prepared two presentations: The Steps of the Publishing Process and Elaboration of a Peer Review Report. In her first presentation, she delved into MDPI’s history and mission, MDPI’s editorial process, and MDPI journals of various scopes that are accepting submissions. Her second presentation outlined the types of peer review, the contents of a peer review report by an MDPI reviewer, and the responsibilities of an MDPI reviewer.

MDPI Romania also hosted an author training session at the Iasi University of Life Sciences on 29 May 2024. JRSs Laurentiu Preda and Cosmin Artan gave four presentations: Efficient Writing of an ISI-Indexed Scientific Article, Benefits of Publishing in the Open Access Model, Various Methods of Open Access Publishing, and MDPI Guide for the Article Review Process. The first three presentations offered guidance on how to improve academic writing, the fourth focused on how to write peer review reports. A highly interactive discussion followed the presentations, during which the JRSs provided extensive answers to attendees’ questions.

MDPI is grateful for all the attendees, speakers, and organizers involved in these events. Through their enthusiasm and dedication, these events were great successes.

MDPI will be attending the 26th IUPAC International Conference on Physical Organic Chemistry in Beijing, China, that will take place from 18 to 22 August 2024. The conference is organized by Tsinghua University, China, and the venue will be the Beijing Friendship Hotel, a prestigious location for academic conferences and events. The conference will focus on four main topics: organic structure and chemical reactivity; reaction mechanism and application; supramolecular assembly, and AI and new POC frontiers.

The following MDPI journals will be represented:

• Molecules;
• Applied Sciences;
• AppliedChem;
• Catalysts;
• Chemistry;
• Colorants;
• Foundations;
• Molbank;
• Organics;
• Reactions.

If you are participating in this conference, please feel free to contact us online prior to attendance. Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person at booth #D10 and answering any questions you may have. For more information regarding the conference, please visit the following link: https://www.icpoc26.tsinghua.edu.cn/column/home.

Five new journals covering multiple subjects have launched their inaugural issue in June 2024. We are excited to be able to share with you the newest research rooted in the value of open access.

We would like to express our deepest appreciation to all the Editorial Board Members and each journal will ensure its high-quality output using excellent editorial and rigorous peer review processes, to ensure that the articles achieve high impact and visibility.

Please feel free to browse and discover more about the new journals below.

Journal	Founding Editor-in-Chief	Journal Topics (Selected)
	Prof. Dr. Marco Ranucci, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, Italy | Editorial | view inaugural issue	anaesthetic medications; blood and fluid management; pain management; critical care; critical illness | view journal scope | submit an article
	Dr. Giovanni E. Cacciamani, University of Southern California, USA | Editorial | view inaugural issue	surgical/procedural complications; complications; perioperative adverse events; postoperative adverse events | view journal scope | submit an article
	Prof. Dr.  Gassan Hodaifa, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Spain | Editorial | view inaugural issue	laboratory management; laboratory safety; protective equipment; laboratory problems and challenges; laboratory Innovation | view journal scope | submit an article
	Prof. Dr. Jan S. Suchodolski, Texas A&M University, USA | Editorial | view inaugural issue	companion animals health and disease; veterinary care and nutrition; genetics and genomics; behavior and welfare; human-animal relations | view journal scope | submit an article
	Prof. Dr. Pierfrancesco De Paola, University of Naples Federico II, Italy | Editorial | view inaugural issue	real estate appraisal; economic and financial valuation of real estate projects; sustainable real estate; housing and urban economics | view journal scope | submit an article

We wish to thank everyone who has supported the development of open access publishing. You are welcome to send an application here, or contact the New Journal Committee ([email protected]) if you would like to create more new journals.

We are pleased to inform you that Catalysts (ISSN: 2073-4344) has received a heightened CiteScore of 6.8.

CiteScore provides transparent metrics that enable well-informed publishing strategy, library collection development, and the benchmarking of journal performance. It is now a standard citation metric alongside SNIP and SJR that gives an up-to-date view of a journal’s impact.

The 2023 CiteScore provides an assessment of the scientific influence of journals in the 2020 to 2023 period.

This is a reflection of the excellent performance, support, and dedication of all journal editors, reviewers, authors, and readers.

Catalysts’ CiteScore ranks as follows:

• Q1 (54 out of 233) in the “Environmental Science” category; 
• Q2 (48 out of 189) in the “Chemistry” category; 
• Q2 (34 out of 68) in the “Chemical Engineering” category.

For more journal statistics, please visit https://www.mdpi.com/journal/catalysts/stats.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to the journal.

Catalysts Editorial Office

MDPI is pleased to announce the inclusion of 237 journals in the 2024 release of the Journal Citation Reports (JCR) and share the key results (see above).

This year, journals covered in the Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI) received category ranks together with journals in the Science Citation Index Expanded (SCIE) and Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI). Overall, 139 MDPI journals indexed in ESCI are included in the new unified rankings for the first time.

Enhanced Comparability of Data

According to Clarivate, "the creation of unified category rankings [provides] a simpler and more complete category view for the evaluation of journal performance. [...] The category-first approach simplifies journal performance assessment with a holistic view of all journals in each subject category."

We are thrilled to announce that 72% of our ranked MDPI journals (171 of 237) are above average, in Q1 or Q2. Twenty-nine of our journals received their first Impact Factor this year, accounting for more than 5% of the journals accepted into the Web of Science last year.

MDPI Journals Ranked in JCR

The following data includes all MDPI journals indexed in SCIE, SSCI, ESCI and AHCI.