Chemical Engineering in Nanotechnology and Nano/micromaterials Applied to Sustainable and Emergent Areas

A special issue of ChemEngineering (ISSN 2305-7084).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 August 2022) | Viewed by 5464

Special Issue Editors

Centre of Physics of Minho and Porto Universities, University of Minho, Azurém Campus, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal
Interests: material science; nanotechnology; thin films; functionalized nanoscale and nanostructured materials and surfaces; photocatalytic coatings (thin films, nanoparticles) with self-cleaning, antifogging, air-purifying, and antibacterial functions; advanced characterization techniques
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Centre of Physics of Minho and Porto, Universities (CF-UM-UP), Azurém Campus, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal
Interests: asphalt mixtures; cement materials, road pavements; civil engineering materials; nanotechnology; functionalized nanoscale and nanostructured materials and surfaces; photocatalytic coatings; self-cleaning; superhydrophobic, thermochromic and phase change materials; air purifying
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue, entitled An Overview of Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology, aims to publish theoretical and experimental studies and reviews related to emerging research in the field of photocatalysis (and their self-cleaning abilities) and different levels of smartness applied to building and road materials for the remediation of environmental pollution and sustainable benefits. 

When a material has additional abilities different from the original ones or reacts to an external stimulus, it is considered to be smart and multifunctional. Examples of such abilities that have been investigated in road and building materials are photocatalytic, superhydrophobic, self-cleaning, deicing/anti-icing, self-healing, thermochromic, and latent heat thermal energy storage abilities. These abilities are mainly developed using nano/microparticles (including semiconductor materials and microcapsules), fibers, phase change materials (PCMs), and dyes, often using techniques such as spray coating, volume incorporation, spreading, etc. Additionally, different nanomaterials, bionanomaterials, and emerging energy (including energy generation) technologies have recently been studied in other contexts for the development of smart textiles and flexible electronics (sensors, actuators). 

Thus, we invite researchers to contribute original innovative research that will foster the continuous development of advanced concepts for the benefit, in the short and medium term, of the scientific community and industrial sectors with potential impacts on specific market niches and their end-users. Articles dealing with, but not limited to, the following topical subheadings are deemed suitable for publication: 

  • Photocatalytic and Self-Cleaning Road or Building Materials.
  • Self-Healing Civil Engineering Materials.
  • Pavement De-Icing and Anti-Icing.
  • Water-Repellent Pavement and Building Materials (Including Superhydrophobic Surfaces).
  • Coatings and Thin Films for the Functionalization of Roads and Buildings.
  • Latent Heat Thermal Energy Storage Including Phase Change Material (PCM) Applications.
  • Chromogenic (Including Thermochromic) Civil Engineering Materials.
  • Smart Road of Building Materials.
  • Design and Characterization of Civil Engineering Materials for Enviromental Remediation.
  • Piezoeletric Materials Applied to Roads or Buildings.
  • Surface Functionalization of Roads or Buildings.
  • Use of Nano/Microparticles in Roads or Building Materials.
  • Energy and Environmental Applications of Micro/Nanomaterials in Civil Engineering.
  • Sustainable Energy Storage Systems based on Nanomaterials.
  • Nanomaterials and Emerging Energy Technologies.
  • Environmental and Energy Applications of Bionanomaterials.
  • Applications and Processes for the Functionalization of Micro/Nanomaterials in Textile Substrates.
  • Nanomaterials Applications in Flexible Electronics (Sensors, Actuators). 

You are invited to submit a manuscript for this Special Issue in the form of a research paper, a communication, or a review. 

Prof. Dr. Joaquim Carneiro
Dr. Iran Rocha Segundo
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. ChemEngineering is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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

  • smart materials
  • photocatalytic materials
  • civil engineering
  • sustainable functionalization process
  • nanostructured and nanomaterials
  • environmental and energy applications of bionanomaterials
  • flexible electronics (sensors, actuators) and micro/nanomaterials in textiles
  • superhydrophobic and self-cleaning

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 4439 KiB  
Article
Nanobubble Technology for A Water-Repellent Treatment on Cotton Fabrics: A Comparative Study
by Abir Zouari, Albert Manich, Meritxell Marti, Sondes Gargoubi and Chedly Boudokhane
ChemEngineering 2023, 7(3), 47; https://doi.org/10.3390/chemengineering7030047 - 15 May 2023
Viewed by 1539
Abstract
Recently, a significant interest in eco-friendly textile products and processes has been noted among consumers and producers. In this respect, nanobubble technology is emerging as a green alternative. In this study, water-repellent cotton fabrics were produced with exhaustion and nanobubble technology (e-flow method) [...] Read more.
Recently, a significant interest in eco-friendly textile products and processes has been noted among consumers and producers. In this respect, nanobubble technology is emerging as a green alternative. In this study, water-repellent cotton fabrics were produced with exhaustion and nanobubble technology (e-flow method) using a short-chain fluoropolymer. The currently most developed substituents are based on molecules with short fluorine carbon chains. The wettability, mechanical properties, air permeability and treatment durability were evaluated. The untreated and treated cotton fabrics were analyzed with ATR-FTIR (Fourier transform infrared attenuated total reflectance) and SEM (scanning electron microscopy) to reveal chemical and morphological modifications. The obtained results show that cotton samples treated with short-chain fluoropolymers, nontoxic and eco-friendly finishing chemicals, and nanobubble technology have good water repellence and good washing durability. Due to their size and structure, nanobubbles possess distinct properties that make them particularly effective at improving water quality, enhancing water treatment processes, and improving productivity in industrial applications. Nanobubbles have a strong negative surface charge that keeps them stable in liquid, prevents them from coalescing, and enables them to physically separate small particles and droplets from water, such as emulsified fats, oils, and grease. Full article
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13 pages, 3705 KiB  
Article
The Effectiveness of Polyvinylidene Fluoride Membranes Modified with Poloxamer and Single/Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes for Lactalbumin Purification
by Nasrul Arahman, Widia Puspita Sari, Indah Maulana Sari, Cut Meurah Rosnelly, Sri Mulyati, Afrillia Fahrina, Muhammad Roil Bilad, Poernomo Gunawan, Mehmet Emin Pasaoglu, Oğuz Orhun Teber, Vahid Vatanpour, Ismail Koyuncu and Yusni Yusni
ChemEngineering 2022, 6(6), 88; https://doi.org/10.3390/chemengineering6060088 - 10 Nov 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1588
Abstract
The application of separation technology using ultrafiltration/nanofiltration membranes for protein purification and concentration has grown rapidly in the last decade. Innovations to synthesize membranes with properties and performance that suit the characteristics of the feed solution have been and will keep developing. This [...] Read more.
The application of separation technology using ultrafiltration/nanofiltration membranes for protein purification and concentration has grown rapidly in the last decade. Innovations to synthesize membranes with properties and performance that suit the characteristics of the feed solution have been and will keep developing. This study aims to examine the strategies to improve the performance of the Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) membrane for lactalbumin protein isolation. The PVDF polymer membrane was modified by adding Poloxamer 188 (Po1) copolymer and a combination of two types of nanocarbons, i.e., single-walled carbon nanotubes (S-CnT) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (M-CnT). The following membrane characteristics were examined: mechanical properties, morphological structure, porosity, elemental composition and functional groups, and surface hydrophilicity. The membrane’s filtration performance was analyzed in terms of its ability to pass water (flux) and concentrate lactalbumin protein. The results showed that the changes in the membrane morphological structure were clearly visible in the SEM test, which exposed more open membrane pores after adding Pol and S-CnT/M-CnT additives. The mechanical properties of the membrane also increased, as indicated by the increase in the tensile strength from 12.1 MPa to 16.07 MPa. In general, it was found that the composition of the PVDF/Pol/S-CnT/NMP polymer solutions resulted in better filtration performance compared to the membranes made of only the PVDF/NMP polymer solution. Full article
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22 pages, 5302 KiB  
Article
Utilization of Spent Sorbent in the Production of Ceramic Bricks
by Gulzhan Daumova, Natalya Seraya, Eldar Azbanbayev, Daulet Assanov, Roza Aubakirova and Galina Reutova
ChemEngineering 2022, 6(5), 82; https://doi.org/10.3390/chemengineering6050082 - 19 Oct 2022
Viewed by 1713
Abstract
The composition and technology for the production of semi-dry ceramic bricks using a nanostructured complex sorbent based on bentonite clay of the 11th horizon of the Tagan deposit of the Republic of Kazakhstan and basalt fiber (gabbro-diabase) of the Karauzek deposit of East [...] Read more.
The composition and technology for the production of semi-dry ceramic bricks using a nanostructured complex sorbent based on bentonite clay of the 11th horizon of the Tagan deposit of the Republic of Kazakhstan and basalt fiber (gabbro-diabase) of the Karauzek deposit of East Kazakhstan have been developed. The characteristics, chemical composition, and structure of the spent sorbent are given based on electron microscopic and X-ray phase analyses. A number of physical and mechanical parameters have been studied to evaluate the spent sorbent as a raw material for the production of ceramic products. The microstructures of fired ceramic samples with loam and spent sorbent have been studied, and the features of their structure have been revealed. The environmental safety of waste sorbents utilization by extraction in acidic, alkaline, and neutral media with the determination of the content of chromium, zinc, and iron ions has been studied. Experimentally obtained data indicate an insignificant concentration of chromium and zinc ions, not exceeding 3.5 µg/L. Relatively high concentrations of iron ions in ceramic bricks are associated with their high content in the feedstock and in the spent sorbent. It has been established that the introduction of the spent sorbent in the amount of 25% of the total mass increases the strength of the final product from 10.8 to 15.8 MPa, which corresponds to the M125 ceramic brick grade. Full article
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