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Crystals
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Advances in Green Nanocomposites: Design, Characterization and Applications
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Advances in Green Nanocomposites: Design, Characterization and Applications

A special issue of Crystals (ISSN 2073-4352). This special issue belongs to the section "Hybrid and Composite Crystalline Materials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 March 2024) | Viewed by 9132

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Nadege Follain

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Laboratory PBS UMR 6270 CNRS, University Rouen Normandy, 76000 Rouen, France
Interests: permeation/sorption processes; nanostructured films; multiphase/multilayer polymer materials; nanomaterials; biobased polymers
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Gianluca Viscusi

E-Mail Website1 Website2
Guest Editor
Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, Italy
Interests: green nanomaterials; polymer characterization; nanocomposites; surface chemistry; nanoparticles synthesis
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In recent years, nanoscience and nanotechnologies have been emerging as new opportunities for designing materials with improved properties. Nanocomposites, due to their characteristic dimensions, are now at the forefront due to their unique physical–chemical properties (mechanical, thermal, barrier, optical or electrical properties), which make them widely applicable in many industrial fields, such as energy and environment, packaging, cosmetics, tissue engineering, sensor and smart materials. Nanoscale fillers, such as nanoclay, nanocellulose, carbon-based materials and metal particles, are broadly applied for the design and fabrication of different nanocomposites, while the dispersion in a matrix of nanosize fillers has been found to be a crucial issue. This Special Issue aims to collect manuscripts dealing with novel approaches to the design, fabrication, characterization and modelling of bio-nanocomposites by focusing either on the fabrication of novel highly performant bio-nanocomposites or the application and development of different manufacturing methodologies.

Potential topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Production and characterization of novel polymeric, ceramic, metallic and hybrid nanocomposites;
  • Synthesis and characterization of nanocomposites and bio-nanocomposites;
  • Advanced manufacturing techniques of nanocomposites;
  • Production of nanofibrous systems;
  • Surface functionalization of nanomaterials;
  • Modification of nanoclay and nanocellulose;
  • Modelling of nanocomposite materials;
  • Applications of nanocomposites.

Original research articles, reviews, letters to the editor, and short communications are welcome.

Dr. Nadege Follain
Dr. Gianluca Viscusi
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Crystals is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2100 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • hybrid nanocomposites
  • nanoclay
  • nanocellulose
  • carbon based materials
  • bio-nanocomposites
  • electrospun nanofibrous systems
  • metallic nanoparticles: synthesis and applications
  • surface functionalization
  • mechanochemistry
  • nanocomposite processing methods

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  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Editorial

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2 pages, 138 KiB  
Editorial
Advances in Green Nanocomposites: Design, Characterization and Applications
by Gianluca Viscusi
Crystals 2024, 14(11), 1004; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst14111004 - 20 Nov 2024
Viewed by 323
Abstract
Nowadays, green nanocomposites are gaining interest in different application fields [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Green Nanocomposites: Design, Characterization and Applications)

Research

Jump to: Editorial

13 pages, 5921 KiB  
Article
Tailoring the Optoelectronic Properties of Soybean-Derived Nitrogen Self-Doped Carbon Dots through Composite Formation with KCl and Zeolite, Synthesized Using Autogenic Atmosphere Pyrolysis
by Rachel Anne E. Lagunay, Banu Akhetova, Robert J. O’Reilly and Mannix P. Balanay
Crystals 2024, 14(4), 348; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst14040348 - 6 Apr 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1834
Abstract
This article investigates the environmentally friendly synthesis and characterization of carbon dots (CDs) derived from soybean biomass, in conjunction with their composites containing potassium chloride (KCl) or zeolite. By using an environmentally sustainable synthetic approach, this study sought to unlock the potential of [...] Read more.
This article investigates the environmentally friendly synthesis and characterization of carbon dots (CDs) derived from soybean biomass, in conjunction with their composites containing potassium chloride (KCl) or zeolite. By using an environmentally sustainable synthetic approach, this study sought to unlock the potential of these materials for various applications. The physicochemical properties of the CDs and composites were comprehensively analyzed using various techniques including scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction analysis. In addition, various optical properties such as UV–Vis absorption, band gap, and excitation–emission behavior were investigated. A key finding to arise from this study was that the inclusion of a doping agent such as KCl or zeolite significantly reduced the size of the resulting CDs. In this light, whereas the undoped species are associated with average sizes of 8.86 ± 0.10 nm, those doped with either zeolite or KCl were associated with average sizes of 3.09 ± 0.05 and 2.07 ± 0.05 nm, respectively. In addition, it was shown that doping with either zeolite or KCl resulted in an alteration of the elemental composition of the CDs and influenced their optical properties, especially their excitation-dependent emission. These promising results point to potential applications in environmental sensing and energy-related fields. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Green Nanocomposites: Design, Characterization and Applications)
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16 pages, 5600 KiB  
Article
Cationic-Surfactant (CTAB) Assisted Preparation of 2D Graphitic Carbon Nitride (g-C3N4) Sheets Advances Supercapacitive Performance
by Sagar M. Mane, Aviraj M. Teli, Sonali A. Beknalkar, Deepak R. Patil, Jae Cheol Shin and Jaewoong Lee
Crystals 2024, 14(4), 312; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst14040312 - 27 Mar 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1220
Abstract
The distinct physicochemical characteristics of metal-free graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) are gaining interest in various fields, including energy storage and conversion. However, the electrochemical performance of this material is constrained, owing to its minimal surface area. Incorporating a surfactant [...] Read more.
The distinct physicochemical characteristics of metal-free graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) are gaining interest in various fields, including energy storage and conversion. However, the electrochemical performance of this material is constrained, owing to its minimal surface area. Incorporating a surfactant is one of the ways to resolve the issue of surface area and therefore improve the electrochemical performance of g-C3N4. This research delves into a method aimed at improving the supercapacitive capabilities of 2D g-C3N4 sheets through the implementation of a cationic surfactant, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). Electrochemical studies reveal that the CTAB-assisted g-C3N4 sheets exhibit remarkable improvements in specific capacitance, cyclic stability, and comparative rate capability in relation to pristine g-C3N4. The specific capacitance of g-C3N4 with CTAB exceeds about 28%, which gives 162. 8 F g−1. This value is 117.7 F g−1 for electrode material without CTAB at 0.5 mA cm−2. This improved electrochemical performance can be credited to the heightened surface area, improved electronic conductivity, and optimized charge transfer kinetics facilitated by the CTAB surfactant. We aim to emphasize the enhancement of the overall performance of g-C3N4-based supercapacitors for advanced energy storage systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Green Nanocomposites: Design, Characterization and Applications)
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15 pages, 5005 KiB  
Article
Reactive Ceramic Membrane for Efficient Micropollutant Purification with High Flux by LED Visible-Light Photocatalysis: Device Level Attempts
by Shuo Li, Xuan Zhang, Rui Fang, Zhiliang Cheng, Qian Xu, Shu Ma, Jie Xiong, Peng Chen and Guangjie Feng
Crystals 2023, 13(4), 651; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst13040651 - 10 Apr 2023
Viewed by 1672
Abstract
Micropollutants (MPs) are widely occurring in surface water all over the world with extremely low concentrations, and their treatment requires high energy consumption and efficiency. In this study, a large-sized planar photocatalytic reactive ceramic membrane (PRCM) was prepared using the facile dip-coating method [...] Read more.
Micropollutants (MPs) are widely occurring in surface water all over the world with extremely low concentrations, and their treatment requires high energy consumption and efficiency. In this study, a large-sized planar photocatalytic reactive ceramic membrane (PRCM) was prepared using the facile dip-coating method with nitrogen-doped TiO2 (N-TiO2-CM) for the purification of tetracycline hydrochloride (TC) as a model MP. The N-TiO2 nanoparticles and the as-prepared N-TiO2-CM were characterized by SEM/EDS, TEM, XPS, UV–Vis DRS, and FT-IR. A fixed bed reactor integrated N-TiO2-CM, and visible LED light was fabricated for the new PRCM water treatment system for the removal of TC with a comprehensive consideration of the degradation rate and permeate flux. The SEM/EDS results indicated that the N-TiO2 was uniformly and tightly loaded onto the flat CM, and the pure water flux could reach over 2000 L/(m2 × h) under a trans-membrane pressure (TMP) of −92 kPa. The fixed bed PRCM water treatment system is extremely suited for MP purification, and the removal efficiency of TC was as high as 92% with 270 min even though its initial concentration was as low as 20 mg/L. The degradation rate and permeate flux of N-TiO2-CM was 2.57 and 2.30 times as high as that of the CM, indicating its good self-cleaning characteristics. The quenching experiments illustrated that the reactive radicals involved in the PRCM process, •OH and •O2−, were responsible for TC degradation. This research also provides a utilization proposal for a scale-up N-TiO2-CM system for water and wastewater treatment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Green Nanocomposites: Design, Characterization and Applications)
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10 pages, 1869 KiB  
Article
Facile Functionalization of Charcoal by a Green Approach
by Aida Kiani, Giuseppe Valvano and Maria Rosaria Acocella
Crystals 2023, 13(3), 476; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst13030476 - 9 Mar 2023
Viewed by 1311
Abstract
The ability of charcoal, a low-cost material derived from biomass pyrolysis, to be functionalized via cation exchange in an aqueous solution, providing new interesting fillers with possible antimicrobial and flame-retardant properties, is discussed here. The adducts obtained through this sustainable procedure, show a [...] Read more.
The ability of charcoal, a low-cost material derived from biomass pyrolysis, to be functionalized via cation exchange in an aqueous solution, providing new interesting fillers with possible antimicrobial and flame-retardant properties, is discussed here. The adducts obtained through this sustainable procedure, show a significant uptake of close to 30% by weight of well-known quaternary phosphonium salts, tetraphenyl phosphonium bromide, and dodecyl triphenyl phosphonium bromide. The new functionalized materials were characterized by elemental analysis, wide-angle X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, and thermogravimetry. Additionally, a study of changing the ratio between the reagents for both adducts was performed to improve salt uptake and optimize the cationic exchange. Dispersibility tests showed the ability of functionalization to deeply change the polarities of the carbon materials to modify the compatibility and improve the possible interactions with different media, such as different polymer matrices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Green Nanocomposites: Design, Characterization and Applications)
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14 pages, 4023 KiB  
Article
Fabrication of Novel Bio-Composites Based on Rice Milk for the Delivery of Capsaicinoids as Green Herbicides against Cynodon dactylon Weed
by Gianluca Viscusi, Elena Lamberti, Giovanna Aquino, Manuela Rodriquez and Giuliana Gorrasi
Crystals 2022, 12(8), 1048; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst12081048 - 28 Jul 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1803
Abstract
In this paper, rice milk-based beads were fabricated through gelation in a calcium chloride solution. Green extraction of chili pepper in water/ethanol was conducted in order to obtain powder extract (PE) rich in apigenin C-pentosyl-C-hexoside, capsaicin, and dihydrocapsaicin. The effect of capsaicinoids loading [...] Read more.
In this paper, rice milk-based beads were fabricated through gelation in a calcium chloride solution. Green extraction of chili pepper in water/ethanol was conducted in order to obtain powder extract (PE) rich in apigenin C-pentosyl-C-hexoside, capsaicin, and dihydrocapsaicin. The effect of capsaicinoids loading on beads’ properties was evaluated in terms of morphological and physical properties. Swelling phenomena and diameter variation of beads were studied as a function of time proving correspondence with the PE amount. The effect of ionic strength on bead swelling was considered. Kinetic studies of PE release were conducted to investigate the release profiles, which were modeled through a modified Baker and Lonsdale model by considering the change in mean diameter over time. The effect of PE loading was then correlated to the growth of Cynodon dactylon weed through in vivo tests. The results corroborate the performances of the encapsulated PE to be used as natural and green herbicide release systems able to inhibit the growth and the proliferation of weeds. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Green Nanocomposites: Design, Characterization and Applications)
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