Compared to their counterparts such as bulk materials, nanomaterials manifest much larger surface-to-volume ratios, improved charge transport capabilities, and size dependent properties, and find a wide scope of energy-related applications in catalysis, solar cells, light-emitting diodes, lithium ion batteries, and liquid fuel storage systems. The last decade has witnessed significant progress in energy conversion, energy storage and environmental decontamination using nanomaterials, which include but are not limited to semiconductor nanocrystal quantum dots, carbon materials, two- and mixed-dimensional nanomaterials, and perovskites. The intrinsic properties of these materials, along with their engineering strategies, make them capable of harvesting energy and converting that energy into other forms that are convenient for storage.

The aim of this Research Topic is to tackle the following problems in nanomaterial-based energy conversion and storage: (i) Instability of perovskite nanomaterials in solar cells and light-emitting diodes; (ii) The high toxicity of heavy-metal nanomaterials and the high cost of noble-metal nanomaterials in catalysis; (iii) Safety issues such as high pressure in nanomaterial-based energy storage systems; and (iv) Challenges in phase and thickness control of two- and mixed-dimensional nanomaterials in achieving their maximum potential in energy conversion. Recent advances in the controlled syntheses, growth mechanisms, engineering strategies, etc. of nanomaterials toward their high performance in catalysts, solar cells, light-emitting diodes, lithium ion batteries, liquid fuel storage systems, and environmental decontamination will also be reviewed.

As such, we welcome contributions that address (but are not limited to) the following themes from a chemical perspective:

• Perovskite nanomaterials for solar cells and light-emitting diodes
• Nanocarbon materials for lithium ion battery and catalysis
• Semiconductor nanocrystals for photocatalysis, lighting and displays
• Low-dimensional nano to atomic materials for catalytic CO₂ reduction

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Frontiers in Chemistry

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