Advanced nanomaterials, including two-dimensional (2D) materials, have revolutionised the field due to their unique properties. The latest developments in energy and environmental engineering represent a great opportunity for the application of newly developed advanced functional materials and nanostructures. The use of advanced materials in energy applications has met many challenges alongside recent breakthroughs, and so must be properly analysed in order to fully understand the technological demands placed on these materials. Advanced nanomaterials show considerable potential for significant technological advancement, and so it is vital to systematically study novel findings in their fundamental areas of application, with particular focus on emerging trends in energy-based and environmental applications.

At present, research is focussed on multiple key areas of research, including the industrial use of quantum dots, nanostructured solar cells, 2d materials, LEDs/OLEDs, supercapacitors, and photonic materials. These all serve to further our understanding, and this versatility of application allows the tailored engineering of nanolayers in order to improve device performance and to improve the conversion efficiency of nano-structured storage devices. For large-area devices required for realistic applications, nano thin-film device fabrication becomes complex and requires proper control over the entire process. Hence, proper understanding of the preparation processes for 2D layered nanomaterials can assist in achieving high conversion efficiency for different nano-structured or energy storage materials.

The aim of this Special Issue is to collect contributions of original research and review papers highlighting advances in functional materials for energy and environmental applications. Paving the way for the scientific community to share knowledge and to discuss practical solutions for future energy demand.

Potential topics include but are not limited to the following:

• Quantum dot/nanometre-size luminescent semiconductors for biomedical applications
• 2D materials in photovoltaics, semiconductors, electrodes, and water purification
• Photo-supercapacitors (PSCs) with functions of energy harvesting and storage in a single device gas sensor, based on nanostructured materials
• 2D transition metal carbide (MXenes) nanostructures
• Applications of 2D organic and transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD/TMDC) nanostructures
• Organic light emitting diodes (OLED) and excitonic or organic solar cells (OSC)
• Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) of organic-inorganic hybrid crystalline and porous materials for energy harvesting applications