Fabrication, surface engineering and applications of new materials

This thematic issue highlights recent advancements in the fabrication and modification of nanomaterials including graphene, MXenes, boron nitride, and metal oxides. These materials with tailored properties are increasingly important to meet evolving technological needs. The issue explores a variety of fabrication techniques, including chemical synthesis, electrochemical synthesis, physical vapor deposition, hydrothermal methods, and self-assembly, each offering certain control over materials structures across different scales.

Herein, surface engineering is emphasized for its role in enhancing material performance through methods such as heteroatom doping, nanocoating, and surface functionalization, which confer properties such as wear resistance, conductivity, hydrophobicity, unique surface morphology, and catalytic activity. A key theme is the application of these materials in sectors such as CO₂ capture, energy storage, sensing, desalination, and environmental technologies.

By covering both fundamental research and application-driven studies, this issue illustrates how new fabrication and surface engineering techniques are transforming industries and addressing critical challenges in sustainability and efficiency. Each contribution bridges the gap between scientific discovery and practical utilization, presenting how engineered nanomaterials can meet the demands of modern technology. We hope this issue will be a valuable resource for academia and industry alike, inspiring advancements in materials research to address demanding global issues.

Topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

• New methods for nanosizing.
• Thermomechanical properties of nanomaterials
• Carbon nanomaterials: synthesis, materials physics, surface manipulation, properties, and applications.
• MXenes: synthesis, materials physics, properties, and applications.
• Boron nitride: synthesis, materials physics, chemical and thermal properties, and applications.
• Nanomaterials for desalination: methods, processing, and system demonstration.
• Nanomaterials for CO₂ capture: methods, processing, and device fabrication.
• Nanomaterials for environmental remediation.

This thematic issue is motivated by the debut of the “New Materials in Carbon Capture and Environmental Remediation (NMCCER 2024)” at NMAMIT (funded by SPARC), Nitte University, in India in 2024. However, the contributions are not limited to those among conference participants.

Submission Deadline: February 20, 2025.