14 - Design and developments in ceramic materials for electrochemical applications

Abstract

Electrochemical energy devices are the recent hot topics in research field. They are considered as future clean and sustainable renewable energy devices. In this regard, efforts are being done to find, synthesize, and explore suitable materials for these applications. Material that possesses high surface area, active surface sites, high oxygen-ion conductivity, good stability, and corrosion free are generally preferred. In addition, the material availability, its cost, and toxicity are equally important parameters that need to be considered. Accordingly, ceramic materials are found to possess all the above properties and can be the front runners in the development of electrochemical energy devices. Additionally, the thorough controllability, suitable crystalline phases, abundant availability, and nontoxic in nature make them important materials for future developments in energy technologies. Not to mention that these ceramic materials even possess high potentials for large energy densities. Therefore, ceramic materials will play a pivotal role in electrochemical device technologies due to their unique properties. Moreover, as mentioned they can equally be used as solid-state electrolytes in batteries, which further make them attractive materials. In view of this, we will discuss in this chapter about the ceramic materials, their importance, properties, and how they are becoming important in electrochemical devices. An emphasis will be given on detailed studies particularly on energy generation and energy storage.