Nanostructured Materials for Energy Storage in Future Electric Aircraft

Abstract

As the global imperative for sustainable transportation intensifies, electric aviation emerges as a significant frontier in the quest for greener alternatives to conventional fossil fuel-based systems, among which the photoelectric polymerization solar cells (OPVs) and advancements in energy storage technologies stand at the forefront of transforming the aviation industry. With the advancements in instrumentation technology and quantum mechanics, nanomaterials emerged as a new discipline with numerous applications in energy storage. This paper examines the potential of various nanostructured materials, such as carbon-based materials, metal oxides, conductive polymers, and hybrid nanostructures, in enhancing the energy storage capabilities of electric aircraft. Taking graphene as an example, these materials offer increased surface area, shortened ion and electron transport paths within the electrode material, improved mechanical stability, and enhanced electrical conductivity by leveraging their intrinsic properties. The findings highlight the synergistic effects of combining different nanomaterials, which not only bolster the electrochemical performance of energy storage systems but also pave the way for overcoming the substantial challenges facing electric aviation. Despite the promising advancements, it is acknowledged that there are the existing hurdles in material integration and the broader adoption of these technologies in commercial applications. In summary, this paper presents opportunities for further advancing and developing electric aircraft.