From the Fundamental Properties to Applications: Novel Materials Based on Nanoparticles

Over the last few decades, technologies for the production of nanoparticles have been developing dynamically. Techniques were obtained to produce nanoparticles from a huge number of different materials in virtually any size and shape. Nanoparticles, due to their unique physicochemical properties, are very interesting materials in themselves. However, it is possible to use nanoparticles to produce advanced multicomponent materials, such as nanocomposites, nanofluids, phase change materials and others. Such multi-component, multi-phase, materials based on nanoparticles can find numerous applications in both industry and medicine. Recently, there has been a sharp increase in the interest of scientists in using nanoparticles to produce more complex, tailor-made application materials and drug delivery systems. However, in order to fully exploit the potential of these materials, it is necessary to study their basic, fundamental, properties and understand the mechanisms that influence their behaviour.

The goal of the Topical Collection is to provide a space for the scientists who work with nanomaterials, but their results are not easy to classify as basic/fundamental science or applied ones. The papers (original ones, and review-type) that present novel synthesis approaches, interesting physical properties, outstanding ideas of using these materials (evaluated on the lab scale) and describing real-life industrial-scale applications fit into the scope of this Collection. The manuscripts in the field of theoretical modelling of the physical and chemical properties of nanoparticle-based materials are also welcome.