Synthesis, Characterization, and Multifunctional Applications of Group 14 Emerging Nanomaterials for Catalysis and Sustainable Energy Conversion

Group 14 elements have recently emerged as versatile building blocks for next-generation nanomaterials with tunable electronic structures, high surface areas, and abundant active sites. Advances in bottom-up and top-down synthesis approaches have enabled the fabrication of diverse nanostructures such as quantum dots, nanosheets, nanowires, and porous frameworks. These materials exhibit unique physicochemical properties including size-dependent band gaps, high carrier mobility, and strong light-matter interactions, making them highly attractive for catalytic and energy conversion processes. Carbon allotropes such as graphene and carbon dots further expand multifunctionality through enhanced conductivity and structural tunability. Apart from carbonaceous nanomaterials, silicon- and germanium-based 2D nanomaterials such as silicene and germanene have gained significant attention from the materials science community. Tin-based systems also exhibit promising redox flexibility for electrochemical reactions. Comprehensive characterization using advanced spectroscopic, microscopic, and electrochemical techniques has provided insights into the structure-property relationships governing catalytic activity. These emerging Group 14 nanomaterials have demonstrated significant potential in photocatalysis, electrocatalysis, CO₂ reduction, hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), oxygen evolution reaction (OER), oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), nitrogen fixation, and energy storage systems. Their integration into sustainable energy platforms aligns with global efforts to develop efficient, low-cost, and environmentally benign technologies. Continued exploration of synthesis strategies, heterostructure engineering, and mechanistic understanding is therefore critical for advancing the multifunctional applications of Group 14 nanomaterials in catalysis and sustainable energy conversion.This Research Topic aims to explore innovative strategies for the synthesis, characterization, and multifunctional applications of emerging Group 14 nanomaterials for catalysis and sustainable energy conversion. By investigating diverse synthesis routes, researchers can develop materials with controlled morphology, composition, and electronic properties. The exploration of environmentally friendly fabrication methods and structure-activity relationships will be a central focus of this initiative. Additionally, it seeks to address key questions regarding the efficiency, stability, and scalability of these nanomaterials in applications such as CO2 reduction, HER, OER, ORR, and nitrogen fixation, ultimately promoting the design of high-performance catalysts for sustainable energy technologies, including supercapacitors and batteries.To gather further insights within this emerging domain, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:• Controlled synthesis of Group 14 nanomaterials (Si, Ge, Sn, Pb) with tunable morphology and size, with emphasis on environmentally friendly fabrication methods• Doping, alloying, and heterostructure engineering for enhanced catalytic activity• Defect and surface/interface engineering in Group 14 nanostructures• Advanced and operando characterization for structure–property correlations• Group 14 nanomaterials for electrocatalytic CO2 and N2 reduction reactions (NRR)• Photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical applications in solar energy conversion• Applications in water splitting, HER, OER, and ORR reactions• Integration into energy storage and conversion devices for sustainable technologies Topic editors: Dr. Manas Mandal, Amrita Jain, Debasis Ghosh, Krishna Chattopadhyay Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/80116/synthesis-characterization-and-multifunctional-applications-of-group-14-emerging-nanomaterials-for-catalysis-and-sustainable-energy-conversion