Achieving a sustainable economy is one of the foremost global challenges, requiring cleaner energy production and smarter resource utilization. Advanced nanomaterials have emerged as key enablers in this pursuit due to their unique properties at the nanoscale, such as high surface-to-volume ratios, tunable structures, and catalytic active sites. These features allow nanomaterials to drive crucial chemical reactions with greater efficiency and selectivity than bulk materials. For example, nanoscale catalysts are playing pivotal roles in energy conversion processes like water splitting and carbon dioxide recycling, as well as in breaking down persistent plastics. Rapid progress in nanotechnology, coupled with urgent climate and waste crises, makes this Research Topic especially timely and important.

The goal of this Research Topic is to address critical scientific and societal challenges in sustainability by harnessing the capabilities of advanced nanomaterials. Many essential reactions for a sustainable future – such as the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) for green hydrogen production, oxygen reduction reactions (ORR) in fuel cells, nitrogen reduction reactions (NRR) and nitrate reduction reaction for ammonia synthesis, and carbon dioxide reduction reactions (CO₂ RR) for carbon recycling – are currently limited by inefficiencies, high costs, or slow kinetics. Similarly, the effective upcycling of plastic and other waste into valuable materials remains a pressing challenge in achieving a circular economy. By highlighting cutting-edge research in nanomaterial design, novel catalyst architectures (including nanoparticles, nanostructured alloys, single-atom catalysts, and 2D materials), and innovative reaction engineering, this Topic aims to showcase how nanotechnology can overcome these hurdles. We seek to inspire solutions that improve reaction efficiencies, durability, and selectivity, ultimately accelerating the transition to clean energy and effective waste reutilization. In doing so, this collection will map out future directions and interdisciplinary strategies for leveraging nanomaterials in service of both environmental sustainability and economic growth.

We welcome submissions of Original Research, Review, and Perspective articles from researchers in materials science, nanotechnology, chemistry, chemical engineering, environmental science, and related fields. Submissions should focus on the development or application of advanced nanomaterials that contribute to sustainable energy and circular economy solutions. Manuscripts may address, but are not limited to, the following topics:

• Nanostructured catalysts for water splitting in clean hydrogen production
• Advanced nanomaterials for electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction (CO₂ RR) and carbon utilization
• High-performance nanocatalysts for fuel cells and metal–air batteries
• Nano-engineered materials for electrocatalytic ammonia synthesis
• Nanomaterial-based catalysts and systems for plastic depolymerization, upcycling, and waste-to-chemical conversion

Authors are encouraged to emphasize how their work advances sustainability. Interdisciplinary studies and innovative experimental or modelling approaches are highly welcomed. All submissions will undergo rigorous peer review and should align with the Frontiers in Materials scope for advanced materials and nanotechnology innovations that drive a sustainable economy.

Are you interested in contributing a manuscript to this Research Topic?

Advanced Nanomaterials for a Sustainable Economy: Catalysts for Energy Conversion and Waste Upcycling