The work focuses on our strategy in development of functional nanoparticle for energy and environmental applications, combining (1) concept/application development, and (2) advanced synthesis and characterization of nanoparticle. Aerosol-based synthetic approach is mainly used for the fabrication of functional nanoparticle. In addition, the concept of material by-design through the use of metal-organic framework is also studied for the advanced synthesis of nanoparticle. Complementary characterization approaches, especially through the use of gas-phase ion-mobility analyses, are employed to support the nanoparticle characterization Applications in this presentation include the heterogeneous catalysis using the nanoparticle: (1) CO oxidation, (2) methane combustion, and (2) carbon capture and utilization (e.g., CO2 dry reforming with methane (DRM), combined DRM with other reactions, chemical looping reactions, CO2 hydrogenation to methanol).