Nanomaterials for environmental and energy applications prepared by solution combustion based-methodologies

Nanostructured materials are widely studied for environmental and energy-related applications. Solution combustion synthesis (SCS) is a very well-known methodology for the preparation of a large variety of inorganic nanomaterials [1]. The combustion fuel has a central role in the SCS, being able to influence several important properties of nanomaterials [2]. In particular, optimization of the fuel type and amount allows tuning the textural, morphological and microstructural properties, but also the structural, electrical, redox, catalytic and surface ones [3]. Figure 1 shows the basic principle of Solution Combustion Synthesis (SCS) and the nanomaterials properties, which is possible to optimize by SCS. Moreover, the use of waste-derived fuels makes it an ecofriendly methodology and, at the same time, confers peculiar properties to the nanomaterial. Finally, the versatility of the solution combustion-based methodologies encourages finding advanced synthetic strategies for the production of tailored nanomaterials with novel multifunctional properties. [1] W. Wen, J.-M. Wu, RSC Adv. 4 (2014) 58090. [2] F. Deganello, L. F. Liotta, G. Marcì, E. Fabbri, E. Traversa, Mater. Renew. Sustain. Energy (2013) 2:8. [3] C. Aliotta, L. F. Liotta, V. La Parola, E. N. S. Muccillo, R. Muccillo, F. Deganello, Appl. Cat. B: Environ., in press.