Journal
Discover Materials
Discover Materials is an open access journal publishing research across all fields relevant to materials, and areas where materials are activators for innovation and disruption.
Carbon materials play a crucial role in advancing energy conversion technologies and promoting environmental sustainability. Their exceptional electrical conductivity, chemical stability, and tunable properties make them indispensable in tackling global challenges related to clean energy and environmental protection. From efficient electrocatalysis and photocatalysis to robust energy storage systems, carbon materials are transforming the landscape of green technologies. Additionally, their role in carbon capture and utilization paves the way for innovative solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Recent progress in material design—including surface functionalization, structural engineering, and hybrid composite formation—has unlocked new possibilities for optimizing the performance of carbon-based systems. Techniques such as atomic-level doping, hierarchical structure control, and scalable synthesis methods are driving significant improvements in their applicability. Advanced characterization methods, such as in situ spectroscopy and operando imaging, combined with computational modeling, further enhance our understanding of their functionality, enabling targeted innovations.
This Collection, “Carbon Materials for Green Energy and Clean Environments,” seeks to showcase cutting-edge research and breakthroughs in this dynamic field. We encourage submissions that explore the development and application of carbon materials in areas such as:
• Innovative approaches to electrocatalysis and photocatalysis.
• Carbon-based solutions for energy storage systems, including batteries and supercapacitors.
• Advanced carbon capture, storage, and utilization technologies.
• Multifunctional carbon composites for green and sustainable technologies.
• Novel methods for tailoring the properties of carbon materials to enhance their performance.
• Theoretical insights and computational studies guiding the design of next-generation carbon materials.
• Reviews highlighting emerging trends and future directions for carbon materials in energy and environmental applications.
We invite researchers to contribute original research articles, reviews, and perspectives highlighting carbon materials' transformative potential in creating sustainable solutions for energy and environmental challenges.
This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 7.
Keywords: Carbon materials, energy conversion, environmental applications, sustainable energy, green technologies, electrocatalysis, carbon nanostructures, energy storage, carbon capture, photocatalysis
Submit your manuscript to this collection through the participating journal.
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Qiming Liu
Qiming Liu, Ph.D., Rice University, USA. He is currently a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Chemistry. He obtained his B.E. in Materials Chemistry from Central South University, China, in 2018 and his Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of California, Santa Cruz, in 2023. His research interests include designing and developing advanced materials for environmental and energy applications, with a particular focus on sustainable materials for carbon capture, energy storage, and concrete sustainability. -
Yi Cheng
Yi Cheng, Ph.D., Rice University, USA. He is currently a postdoctoral researcher and Rice Academy Junior Fellow in the Department of Chemistry. He earned his B.S. in Material Chemistry from Fudan University, China, in 2017 and his Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from Peking University, China, in 2022. His research focuses on environmental remediation and waste management using flash Joule heating, aiming to eliminate toxic substances from soil and water and convert municipal solid waste into valuable materials like graphene.
