Nanocatalysis for sustainable energy production: innovations and applications

This thematic issue will address the transformative role of nanocatalysis to achieve sustainable, efficient, and scalable technologies and energy solutions to favor the transition to a circular economy. Therefore, the emphasis is given on the importance of replacing fossil fuels with renewable alternatives, particularly biomass and solar energy. Chemical energy conversion plays a crucial role in transitioning to a renewable energy economy, including the production of solar fuels from CO₂ and the development of innovative catalysts and technologies that leverage alternative energy sources.

Topics for this thematic issue include the design, synthesis, characterization, and application of nanocatalysts in renewable energy systems, hydrogen production, fuel cells, and biomass conversion. As article types, full research articles, reviews, letters, and perspectives will be considered.

For a more comprehensive and detailed list of topics, please see below:

• Design and synthesis of nanocatalysts
  • Rational design of nanostructures for enhanced catalytic activity.
  • Role of morphology, size, and composition in catalytic performance.
  • Bimetallic and multi-metallic nanoparticles for energy production.
  • Atomically precise nanocatalysts and single-atom catalysts.
  • Emerging trends in hybrid catalysts and nanocomposite systems.
• Nanocatalysts for hydrogen production
  • Catalytic water splitting (electrolysis) for hydrogen production.
  • Photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical water splitting.
  • Nanocatalysts for hydrogen storage and release systems.
• Carbon dioxide reduction
  • Nanocatalysts for electrochemical and photocatalytic CO₂ reduction.
  • Pathways for converting CO₂ into fuels and valuable chemicals.
• Nanocatalysts in fuel cells
  • Design of efficient anode and cathode nanocatalysts for various fuel cell types.
  • Nanostructures for enhancing oxygen reduction and hydrogen oxidation reactions.
  • Nonprecious metal-based catalysts as alternatives to platinum.
• Biomass conversion to fuels
  • Nanocatalysis in pyrolysis, gasification, and hydrodeoxygenation of biomass.
  • Transformation of biomass-derived intermediates into biofuels.
  • Integration of nanocatalysis with biocatalytic systems.
• Solar energy conversion
  • Plasmonic nanocatalysts for improved solar energy harvesting.
  • Integration of nanocatalysts in solar-to-fuel systems.
  • Light-responsive catalytic systems.
• Computational and theoretical advances
  • Theoretical modelling and simulations of catalytic processes at the nanoscale.
  • Understanding structure-property relationships via multiscale modelling.

Submission deadline: September 30, 2025.