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Surfaces
Special Issues
Recent Advances in Catalytic Surfaces and Interfaces
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Recent Advances in Catalytic Surfaces and Interfaces

A special issue of Surfaces (ISSN 2571-9637).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2025 | Viewed by 9085

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Michalis Konsolakis

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Production Engineering and Management, Technical University of Crete, 73100 Chania, Greece
Interests: heterogeneous catalysis; surface science; materials science; rational design of metal oxides; nanocatalysis; metal–support interactions; structure–property relationships; CO2 hydrogenation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Irene Groot

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Gorlaeus Laboratories, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands
Interests: (high-pressure) surface science; heterogeneous catalysis; 2D materials; scanning probe microscopy; in situ studies; technique development; atomic-scale studies; structure–property relationships

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The rational design and development of cost-efficient and highly active catalytic materials is currently one of the main research pillars in the field of heterogeneous catalysis. To this end, surface and interface engineering are among the most efficient strategies toward the fabrication of innovative and advanced catalytic materials. A prerequisite for this is a fundamental understanding of the structure–performance relationships at the (near-) atomic scale; these, however, remain a formidable challenge due to the complexity of heterogeneous catalytic processes. Recent progresses in nanosynthesis with uniform and well-defined structures, fine-tuning engineering strategies (size/shape control), in situ characterization techniques, and theoretical calculations have offered unique opportunities towards the fundamental understanding of surface and interface phenomena, which in turn could pave the way for the rational design of catalytic systems.

Herein, this Special Issue explores the recent experimental and theoretical advances toward the fundamental understanding of surface and interface phenomena in catalysis. In this regard, surface and interface engineering strategies, including crystal phase design, morphology/size engineering, aliovalent promotion/doping, etc., through the use of advanced synthesis/modification routes would be of great interest to this Special Issue. Moreover, advanced characterization and computation studies for unravelling the role of surface and interface sites and the establishment of reliable structure–property relationships are welcomed.

Prof. Dr. Michalis Konsolakis
Prof. Dr. Irene Groot
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. Surfaces is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly 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 1600 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

  • nanostructured catalytic materials
  • metal–support interactions
  • novel synthetic techniques
  • shape and size effects in catalysis
  • advanced characterization studies
  • structure–performance relationships
  • theoretical and computational studies
  • energy and environmental applications

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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8 pages, 4310 KiB  
Communication
Synthesis and Properties of Novel Acrylic Fluorinated Surfactants
by Chao Lin, Jinhua Li, Yejun Qin, Ping Xing and Biao Jiang
Surfaces 2024, 7(4), 838-845; https://doi.org/10.3390/surfaces7040055 - 14 Oct 2024
Viewed by 427
Abstract
Branched fluorinated surfactants with creatively introduced acrylate in the hydrophilic group were designed and prepared by adopting perfluoro-2-methyl-2-pentene as the raw substrate. These new compounds showed excellent surface properties, and the surface tension of their aqueous solution at 25 °C could be below [...] Read more.
Branched fluorinated surfactants with creatively introduced acrylate in the hydrophilic group were designed and prepared by adopting perfluoro-2-methyl-2-pentene as the raw substrate. These new compounds showed excellent surface properties, and the surface tension of their aqueous solution at 25 °C could be below 20.00 mN/m at the critical micelle concentration. Compared with similar structures we have synthesized previously, these synthesized compounds exhibit a great improvement with regard to their molecular arrangement at the gas–liquid interface, their polymerizability, and the antibacterial properties of their polymer form, which can provide new ideas in the work to replace perfluorooctane sulfonate/perfluorooctanoic acid. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Catalytic Surfaces and Interfaces)
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11 pages, 3574 KiB  
Article
Charged Microdroplets Deposition for Nanostructured-Based Electrode Surface Modification
by Rosaceleste Zumpano, Marco Agostini, Franco Mazzei, Anna Troiani, Chiara Salvitti, Marta Managò, Alessia Di Noi, Andreina Ricci and Federico Pepi
Surfaces 2024, 7(4), 801-811; https://doi.org/10.3390/surfaces7040052 - 1 Oct 2024
Viewed by 696
Abstract
Accelerated synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in charged microdroplets produced by electrospray ionization (ESI) was exploited to modify the surface of graphite screen-printed electrodes (GSPEs). The deposited AuNPs were then functionalized by the charged microdroplets deposition of 6-ferrocenyl-hexanethiol (6Fc-ht) solutions that act as [...] Read more.
Accelerated synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in charged microdroplets produced by electrospray ionization (ESI) was exploited to modify the surface of graphite screen-printed electrodes (GSPEs). The deposited AuNPs were then functionalized by the charged microdroplets deposition of 6-ferrocenyl-hexanethiol (6Fc-ht) solutions that act as reducing and stabilizing agents and provide electrochemical properties for the modified electrodes. The morphology and composition of the AuNPs were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Cyclic voltammetry (CV), differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were used to investigate the electrochemical behavior of the modified electrodes. The results showed that the ESI microdroplets deposition technique produces uniform and well-dispersed AuNPs on GSPE, and optimal conditions for deposition were identified, enhancing GSPE electrocatalytic performance. Further functionalization by ESI microdroplets of AuNPs with 6Fc-ht demonstrated improved redox properties compared with the conventional self-assembled monolayer (SAM) method, highlighting the technique’s potential for the easy and fast functionalization of electrochemical sensors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Catalytic Surfaces and Interfaces)
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16 pages, 5741 KiB  
Article
Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy, Current Mapping, and Optical Properties of Hybrid ZnO Nanorods/Ag Nanoparticles
by Ishaq Musa
Surfaces 2024, 7(3), 770-785; https://doi.org/10.3390/surfaces7030050 - 16 Sep 2024
Viewed by 926
Abstract
The optical characteristics and electrical behavior of zinc oxide nanorods (ZnO-NRs) and silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) were investigated using advanced scanning probe microscopy techniques. The study revealed that the ZnO nanorods had a length of about 350 nm, while the Ag nanoparticles were spherical [...] Read more.
The optical characteristics and electrical behavior of zinc oxide nanorods (ZnO-NRs) and silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) were investigated using advanced scanning probe microscopy techniques. The study revealed that the ZnO nanorods had a length of about 350 nm, while the Ag nanoparticles were spherical with heights ranging from 5 to 14 nm. Measurements with Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM) showed that the work functions of ZnO nanorods were approximately 4.55 eV, higher than that of bulk ZnO, and the work function of Ag nanoparticles ranged from 4.54 to 4.56 eV. The electrical characterization of ZnO nanorods, silver nanoparticles, and their hybrid was also conducted using conductive atomic force microscopy (C-AFM) to determine the local current-voltage (I-V) characteristics, which revealed a characteristic similar to that of a Schottky diode. The current-voltage characteristic curves of ZnO nanorods and Ag nanoparticles both showed an increase in current at around 1 V, and the hybrid ZnONRs/AgNP exhibited an increase in turn-on voltage at around 2.5 volts. This suggested that the presence of Ag nanoparticles enhanced the electrical properties of ZnO nanorods, improving the charge carrier mobility and conduction mechanisms through a Schottky junction. The investigation also explored the optical properties of ZnO-NRs, AgNPs, and their hybrid, revealing absorption bands at 3.11 eV and 3.18 eV for ZnO-NRs and AgNPs, respectively. The hybrid material showed absorption at 3.13 eV, indicating enhanced absorption, and the presence of AgNP affected the optical properties of ZnO-NR, resulting in increased photoluminescence intensity and slightly changes in peak positions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Catalytic Surfaces and Interfaces)
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11 pages, 2477 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution in Zr-Doped TiO2 Thin Films
by Luis F. Garay-Rodríguez, M. R. Alfaro Cruz, Julio González-Ibarra, Leticia M. Torres-Martínez and Jin Hyeok Kim
Surfaces 2024, 7(3), 560-570; https://doi.org/10.3390/surfaces7030038 - 9 Aug 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1185
Abstract
Doping titanium dioxide has become a strategy for enhancing its properties and reducing its recombination issues, with the aim of increasing its efficiency in photocatalytic processes. In this context, this work studied its deposition over glass substrates using a sol–gel dip coating methodology. [...] Read more.
Doping titanium dioxide has become a strategy for enhancing its properties and reducing its recombination issues, with the aim of increasing its efficiency in photocatalytic processes. In this context, this work studied its deposition over glass substrates using a sol–gel dip coating methodology. The effect of doping TiO2 with Zirconium cations in low molar concentrations (0.01, 0.05, 0.1%) in terms of its structural and optical properties was evaluated. The structural characterization confirmed the formation of amorphous thin films with Zr introduced into the TiO2 cell (confirmed by XPS characterization), in addition to increasing and defining the formed particles and their size slightly. These changes resulted in a decrease in the transmittance percentage and their energy band gap. Otherwise, their photocatalytic properties were evaluated in hydrogen production using ethanol as a sacrificial agent and UV irradiation. The hydrogen evolution increased as a function of the Zr doping, the sample with the largest Zr concentration (0.1% mol) being the most efficient, evolving 38.6 mmolcm−2 of this gas. Zr doping favored the formation of defects in TiO2, being responsible for this enhancement in photoactivity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Catalytic Surfaces and Interfaces)
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16 pages, 2981 KiB  
Article
Highly Efficient Cobalt Sulfide Heterostructures Fabricated on Nickel Foam Electrodes for Oxygen Evolution Reaction in Alkaline Water Electrolysis Cells
by Ioannis Poimenidis, Nikandra Papakosta, Panagiotis A. Loukakos, George E. Marnellos and Michalis Konsolakis
Surfaces 2023, 6(4), 493-508; https://doi.org/10.3390/surfaces6040033 - 23 Nov 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2204
Abstract
Non-noble metal electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) have recently gained particular attention. In the present work, a facile one-step electrodeposition method is applied in situ to synthesize cobalt sulfide nanostructures on nickel foam (NF) electrodes. For the first time, a systematic [...] Read more.
Non-noble metal electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) have recently gained particular attention. In the present work, a facile one-step electrodeposition method is applied in situ to synthesize cobalt sulfide nanostructures on nickel foam (NF) electrodes. For the first time, a systematic study is carried out on the impact of the Co/S molar ratio on the structural, morphological, and electrochemical characteristics of Ni-based OER electrodes by employing Co(NO3)2·6 H2O and CH4N2S as Co and S precursors, respectively. The optimum performance was obtained for an equimolar Co:S ratio (1:1), whereas sulfur-rich or Co-rich electrodes resulted in an inferior behavior. In particular, the CoxSy@NF electrode with Co/S (1:1) exhibited the lowest overpotential value at 10 mA cm−2 (0.28 V) and a Tafel slope of 95 mV dec−1, offering, in addition, a high double-layer capacitance (CDL) of 10.7 mF cm−2. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements confirmed the crucial effect of the Co/S ratio on the charge-transfer reaction rate, which is maximized for a Co:S molar ratio of 1:1. Moreover, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) were conducted to gain insights into the impact of the Co/S ratio on the structural and morphological characteristics of the electrodes. Notably, the CoxSy@NF electrocatalyst with an equimolar Co:S ratio presented a 3D flower-like nanosheet morphology, offering an increased electrochemically active surface area (ESCA) and improved OER kinetics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Catalytic Surfaces and Interfaces)
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Review

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23 pages, 12525 KiB  
Review
The Use of Magnetic Porous Carbon Nanocomposites for the Elimination of Organic Pollutants from Wastewater
by Bendi Anjaneyulu, Ravi Rana, Versha, Mozhgan Afshari and Sónia A. C. Carabineiro
Surfaces 2024, 7(1), 120-142; https://doi.org/10.3390/surfaces7010009 - 21 Feb 2024
Viewed by 2414
Abstract
One of the most significant challenges the world is currently facing is wastewater treatment. A substantial volume of effluents from diverse sources releases numerous pollutants into the water. Among these contaminants, organic pollutants are particularly concerning due to the associated risk of being [...] Read more.
One of the most significant challenges the world is currently facing is wastewater treatment. A substantial volume of effluents from diverse sources releases numerous pollutants into the water. Among these contaminants, organic pollutants are particularly concerning due to the associated risk of being released into the environment, garnering significant attention. Rapid advancements in agriculture and industry on a global scale generate vast volumes of hazardous organic compounds, which eventually find their way into natural systems. Recently, the release of industrial wastewater has been increasing, due to the progress of numerous businesses. This poses a danger to humans and the environment, leading to environmental contamination. The application of carbon nanocomposites in applied nanotechnology has recently expanded due to their large surface area, substantial pore volume, low preparation cost, and environmental resilience. Expanding the use of nanomaterials in water treatment is essential, as magnetic carbon nanocomposites consistently demonstrate an efficient elimination of pollutants from water solutions. In the current study, we have highlighted the application of magnetic porous carbon nanocomposites in removing organic pollutants from wastewater. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Catalytic Surfaces and Interfaces)
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