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A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Porous Materials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 October 2022) | Viewed by 29325

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Miguel Jorge

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Guest Editor

Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
Interests: porous materials; multi-scale modelling; molecular simulation of materials; gas adsorption; carbon capture; material design

Dr. Moises Luzia Pinto

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Centre for Natural Resources and the Environment (CERENA), Instituto Superior Técnico da Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal
Interests: polymers; sustainable materials; biomass; coatings; active materials; polyurethanes; adsorption

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to announce this Special Issue entitled “Feature Collection on Porous Materials”. Porous materials featuring high surface areas, narrow pore size distribution, and tunable pore diameters have attracted a great deal of attention due to their relevant properties and applications in various areas including adsorption, separation, sensing, and catalysis. With the development of a wide range of these materials with varying morphologies (e.g., hexagonal, cubic, rod-like), chemistry (e.g., silicates, carbons, metal oxides, hybrid materials, metal-organic frameworks), and functionalities, this field is currently one of the most advanced in materials science.

This Special Issue aims to collect highly novel research work or comprehensive review papers in the fields of synthesis, design, characterisation, modelling, and applications of porous materials. Fields covered include all types of porous materials in the broad sense (microporous, mesoporous and macroporous, including silicates, metal oxides, zeolites, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), porous polymers, etc.) as well as both experimental and theoretical aspects of Materials Science related to porous materials, published in open access format by prominent scientists. All articles published in this Special Issue will be subject to rigorous peer review and editorial selection. We intend for this issue to be the best forum for disseminating excellent research findings as well as sharing innovative ideas in the field.

Dr. Miguel Jorge
Prof. Dr. Moises Luzia Pinto
Guest Editors

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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. Materials is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

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Keywords

Microporous materials
Mesoporous materials
Macroporous materials
Silicates
Metal oxides
Zeolites
Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs)
Experimental characterisation of porous materials
Synthesis of porous materials
Theory and modelling of porous materials

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Published Papers (10 papers)

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18 pages, 8924 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Stochastic Filling and Modeling Algorithm of Non-Equal Diameter Particles with Specified Probability Density for Porous Permeable Materials

by Wei Zhang, Lile He, Fazhan Wang and Guangyong Zhang

Materials 2022, 15(14), 4733; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15144733 - 6 Jul 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1411

Abstract

In this paper, a model generation algorithm for non-equal diameter particles with a specified probability density distribution is proposed. Based on considering the randomness of the size and distribution of the particles, the compact stacking of the particles is realized by the compactness algorithm, and then the spatial distribution of the tightly compacted particles is made to meet the random distribution of the specified probability density and the specified volume fraction by the filtering algorithm. The computational efficiency and effectiveness of the algorithm are verified, and the effects of the particle size and volume fraction on the distribution are analyzed. Finally, the proposed model has been used to study the permeability of a titanium porous filter cartridge. The results show that the size and location of the particle samples that are generated by the proposed algorithm follow specified probability distributions according to the requirements, and the volume fraction can be adjusted. Compared with the traditional algorithm, the computational effort and complexity are reduced. The resultant model can be used to study the permeability of porous materials and provide modeling support for structural optimization and further simulation of porous materials. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Collection on Porous Materials)

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12 pages, 1732 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Preparation and Characterization of Porous Materials from Pineapple Peel at Elevated Pyrolysis Temperatures

by Wen-Tien Tsai, Raquel Ayestas, Chi-Hung Tsai and Yu-Quan Lin

Materials 2022, 15(13), 4686; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15134686 - 4 Jul 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2525

Abstract

In this work, pineapple peel (PP) was reused as a precursor in biochar (BC) production at elevated temperatures (i.e., 500–900 °C) for residence times of 0–60 min. The findings showed that pyrolysis temperature and residence time played a vital role in pore development. As pyrolysis temperature increased from 800 to 900 °C for residence times of 20 and 60 min, the data on the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area of the resulting biochar products significantly jumped from 11.98–32.34 to 119.43–133.40 m²/g. In addition, there was a significant increase in the BET surface area from 1.02 to 133.40 m²/g with the residence time of 0 to 20 min at 900 °C. From the data of the nitrogen adsorption–desorption isotherms and the pore size distribution, both micropores (pore diameters of <2.0 nm) and mesopores (pore diameters of 2.0–50.0 nm) are present in the PP-based biochar products. Due to its good fittings in the pseudo-second-order model and its hydrophilic nature, as seen in the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), the resulting biochar could be a porous material to be used for the effective removal of cationic compounds (i.e., methylene blue (MB)) from liquid phases. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Collection on Porous Materials)

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16 pages, 11105 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Experimental Study of Multi-Angle Effects of Micron-Silica Fume on Micro-Pore Structure and Macroscopic Mechanical Properties of Rock-like Material Based on NMR and SEM

by Guanglin Tian, Hongwei Deng, Yigai Xiao and Songtao Yu

Materials 2022, 15(9), 3388; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15093388 - 9 May 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1979

Abstract

The experiment of rock-like material plays an important role in the simulation of engineering fractured rock mass. To further understand the influence of raw materials on rock-like materials, this paper carried out the indoor mechanical properties test and the micro-pore structure detection combining NMR and SEM. The effects of micron-silica fume (SF) on microporous structure parameters and macroscopic mechanical properties under different conditions of water–cement ratio (WCR) and sand–cement ratio (SCR) were discussed. The intrinsic relationship between parameters of different scales was analyzed. The experimental results showed that the porosity parameters of different radii gradually decreased with the increase in SF. The reduction rate of macroporous porosity was the greatest, and the decreasing rate of microporous porosity was the smallest. With the increase in SF, the microscopic characteristics of the internal surface changed from more pores, complex morphological distribution, rough surface to fewer pores, regular morphological distribution and flat and uniform surface. The box fractal dimension also showed a decreasing trend. Micro-pore structure makes a valuable contribution to the influence of SF on mechanical properties. The compressive strength and tensile strength increased with the increase in SF. The box fractal dimension and porosity of different radii were negatively correlated with mechanical strength. Different porosity parameters conformed to a good exponential relationship with mechanical properties. The research results can provide reference value and research space for subsequent rock-like material research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Collection on Porous Materials)

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16 pages, 11702 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Correlation Analysis between Microscopic Pore Parameters and Macroscopic Mechanical Properties of Rock-like Materials from the Perspective of Water-Cement Ratio and Sand-Cement Ratio

by Guanglin Tian, Hongwei Deng and Yigai Xiao

Materials 2022, 15(7), 2632; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15072632 - 2 Apr 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2113

Abstract

To explore the effects of water-cement ratio and sand-cement ratio on micro-pore structure characteristics and macroscopic mechanical properties and thus improve the understanding of rock-like materials, the mechanical test and detection of micro-pore structure combining NMR and SEM were carried out. The effects of WCR and SCR on different porosity parameters and mechanical properties were discussed. The correlation and internal relationship between mechanical properties and parameters of different porosities and fractal dimensions were analyzed. Experimental results showed that the different porosity parameters and fractal dimensions increased with the increase in WCR. 1.0 (SCR) was the turning point of different porosity parameters and fractal dimensions. When the SCR was less than 1.0, the porosity parameters and fractal dimension gradually decreased, while when the SCR was greater than 1.0, the porosity parameters and fractal dimension gradually increased. Microscopic porosity parameters and fractal dimension played an important role in the influence of experimental factors on mechanical properties. Different porosity parameters and fractal dimensions were negatively correlated with mechanical properties. Compressive strength and different porosity parameters conformed to a good exponential relationship, while the fitting relationship between tensile strength and mechanical properties was not obvious. This study can provide a reference for the follow-up study of rock-like materials. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Collection on Porous Materials)

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14 pages, 2909 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Chitosan Biocomposites for the Adsorption and Release of H₂S

by Mary Batista, Moisés L. Pinto, Fernando Antunes, João Pires and Silvia Carvalho

Materials 2021, 14(21), 6701; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14216701 - 7 Nov 2021

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2250

Abstract

The search for H₂S donors has been increasing due to the multiple therapeutic effects of the gas. However, the use of nanoporous materials has not been investigated despite their potential. Zeolites and activated carbons are known as good gas adsorbents and their modification with chitosan may increase the material biocompatibility and simultaneously its release time in aqueous solution, thus making them good H₂S donors. Herein, we modified with chitosan a series of A zeolites (3A, 4A and 5A) with different pore sizes and an activated carbon obtained from glycerin. The amount of H₂S adsorbed was evaluated by a volumetric method and their release capacity in aqueous solution was measured. These studies aimed to verify which of the materials had appropriate H₂S adsorption/release properties to be considered a potential H₂S donor. Additionally, cytotoxicity assays using HeLa cells were performed. Considering the obtained results, the chitosan composite with the A zeolite with the larger pore opening was the most promising material to be used as a H₂S donor so a further cytotoxicity assay using H₂S loaded was conducted and no toxicity was observed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Collection on Porous Materials)

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11 pages, 2265 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Scalable Synthesis and Electrochemical Properties of Porous Si-CoSi₂-C Composites as an Anode for Li-ion Batteries

by Hyungeun Seo, Hae-Ri Yang, Youngmo Yang, Kyungbae Kim, Sung Hyon Kim, Hyunseung Lee and Jae-Hun Kim

Materials 2021, 14(18), 5397; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14185397 - 18 Sep 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2492

Abstract

Si-based anodes for Li-ion batteries (LIBs) are considered to be an attractive alternative to graphite due to their higher capacity, but they have low electrical conductivity and degrade mechanically during cycling. In the current study, we report on a mass-producible porous Si-CoSi₂-C composite as a high-capacity anode material for LIBs. The composite was synthesized with two-step milling followed by a simple chemical etching process. The material conversion and porous structure were characterized by X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and electron microscopy. The electrochemical test results demonstrated that the Si-CoSi₂-C composite electrode exhibits greatly improved cycle and rate performance compared with conventional Si-C composite electrodes. These results can be ascribed to the role of CoSi₂ and inside pores. The CoSi₂ synthesized in situ during high-energy mechanical milling can be well attached to the Si; its conductive phase can increase electrical connection with the carbon matrix and the Cu current collectors; and it can accommodate Si volume changes during cycling. The proposed synthesis strategy can provide a facile and cost-effective method to produce Si-based materials for commercial LIB anodes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Collection on Porous Materials)

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16 pages, 3174 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Studies of New Iridium Catalysts Supported on Modified Silicalite-1—Their Structure and Hydrogenating Properties

by Michał Zieliński, Monika Kot, Mariusz Pietrowski, Robert Wojcieszak, Jolanta Kowalska-Kuś and Ewa Janiszewska

Materials 2021, 14(16), 4465; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14164465 - 9 Aug 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2263

Abstract

This paper investigates the catalytic properties of the iridium catalysts supported on modified silicalite-1. Post-synthesis modification of silicalite-1, with solutions of ammonium compounds (NH₄F and NH₄OH), appeared to be an efficient method to generate the acidic sites in starting support. The modification of support led not only to changes in its acidity but also its porosity—formation of additional micro- and mesopores. The novel materials were used as supports for iridium. The iridium catalysts (1 wt.% Ir) were characterized by N₂ adsorption/desorption measurements, temperature-programmed reduction with hydrogen (TPR-H₂), H₂ chemisorption, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), temperature-programmed desorption of ammonia (TPD-NH₃), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and tested in the hydrogenation of toluene reaction. The catalytic activity of iridium supported on silicalite-1 treated with NH₄OH (higher porosity of support, better dispersion of active phase) was much higher than that of Ir supported on unmodified and modified with NH₄F silicalite-1. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Collection on Porous Materials)

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14 pages, 3837 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Improving the Hydrophilicity of Flexible Polyurethane Foams with Sodium Acrylate Polymer

by Ana M. Borreguero, Javier Zamora, Ignacio Garrido, Manuel Carmona and Juan F. Rodríguez

Materials 2021, 14(9), 2197; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14092197 - 25 Apr 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2570

Abstract

Hydrophilic, flexible polyurethane (FPU) foams made from Hypol prepolymers are capable of retaining large amounts of water and saline solutions. The addition of different catalysts and surfactant agents to Hypol JM 5008 prepolymer was assayed to obtain a foam with good structural stability and elasticity. The combination of three catalysts, stannous octoate and two amine-based ones (Tegoamin 33 and Tegoamin BDE), and the surfactant Niax silicone L-620LV allowed to synthesize a foam with a homogeneous cell size distribution, exhibiting the highest saline absorption capacity (2.4 g/gram of foam) and almost complete shape recovery, with up to a 20% of remaining deformation. Then, superabsorbent sodium acrylate polymer (PNaA) was added to the FPU foam up to 8 pph. The urine absorption capacity of the foam was increased about 24.8% by incorporating 6 pph of PNaA, absorbing 17.46 g of saline solution per foam gram, without any negative impact on the rest of the foam properties. All these properties make the synthesized foams suitable for corporal fluids absorption applications in which elasticity and low-density are required. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Collection on Porous Materials)

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25 pages, 5394 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mechanical and Thermal Behavior of Fibrous Carbon Materials

by Blagoj Karakashov, M’Barek Taghite, Richard Kouitat, Vanessa Fierro and Alain Celzard

Materials 2021, 14(7), 1796; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14071796 - 5 Apr 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4267

Abstract

The ability of various commercial fibrous carbon materials to withstand stress and conduct heat has been evaluated through experimental and analytical studies. The combined effects of different micro/macro-structural characteristics were discussed and compared. Large differences in mechanical behavior were observed between the different groups or subgroups of fibrous materials, due to the different types of fibers and the mechanical and/or chemical bonds between them. The application of the Mooney–Rivlin model made it possible to determine the elastic modulus of soft felts, with a few exceptions, which were studied in-depth. The possible use of two different mechanical test methods allowed a comparison of the results in terms of elastic modulus obtained under different deformation regimes. The effective thermal conductivity of the same fibrous materials was also studied and found to be much lower than that of a single carbon fiber due to the high porosity, and varied with the bulk density and the fiber organization involving more or less thermal contact resistances. The thermal conductivity of most materials is highly anisotropic, with higher values in the direction of preferential fiber orientation. Finally, the combination of compression and transient thermal conductivity measurement techniques allowed the heat conduction properties of the commercial fibrous carbons to be investigated experimentally when compressed. It was observed that thermal conductivity is strongly affected under compression, especially perpendicular to the main fiber orientation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Collection on Porous Materials)

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10 pages, 662 KiB

Open AccessPerspective

Metal–Organic Frameworks (MOFs) for Cancer Therapy

by Mohammad Reza Saeb, Navid Rabiee, Masoud Mozafari, Francis Verpoort, Leonid G. Voskressensky and Rafael Luque

Materials 2021, 14(23), 7277; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14237277 - 28 Nov 2021

Cited by 67 | Viewed by 5975

Abstract

MOFs exhibit inherent extraordinary features for diverse applications ranging from catalysis, storage, and optics to chemosensory and biomedical science and technology. Several procedures including solvothermal, hydrothermal, mechanochemical, electrochemical, and ultrasound techniques have been used to synthesize MOFs with tailored features. A continued attempt has also been directed towards functionalizing MOFs via “post-synthetic modification” mainly by changing linkers (by altering the type, length, functionality, and charge of the linkers) or node components within the MOF framework. Additionally, efforts are aimed towards manipulating the size and morphology of crystallite domains in the MOFs, which are aimed at enlarging their applications window. Today’s knowledge of artificial intelligence and machine learning has opened new pathways to elaborate multiple nanoporous complex MOFs and nano-MOFs (NMOFs) for advanced theranostic, clinical, imaging, and diagnostic purposes. Successful accumulation of a photosensitizer in cancerous cells was a significant step in cancer therapy. The application of MOFs as advanced materials and systems for cancer therapy is the main scope beyond this perspective. Some challenging aspects and promising features in MOF-based cancer diagnosis and cancer therapy have also been discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Collection on Porous Materials)

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