Nanomaterials For Energy Applications Research Articles

Green and Sustainable Nanomaterials for Energy Applications and Corrosion Inhibition

Green and Sustainable Nanomaterials for Energy Applications and Corrosion Inhibition

Cellulose-Based Nanomaterials for Energy Applications.

Cellulose is the most abundant natural polymer on earth, providing a sustainable green resource that is renewable, degradable, biocompatible, and cost effective. Recently, nanocellulose-based mesoporous structures, flexible thin films, fibers, and networks are increasingly developed and used in photovoltaic devices, energy storage systems, mechanical energy harvesters, and catalysts components, showing tremendous materials science value and application potential in many energy-related fields. In this Review, the most recent advancements of processing, integration, and application of cellulose nanomaterials in the areas of solar energy harvesting, energy storage, and mechanical energy harvesting are reviewed. For solar energy harvesting, promising applications of cellulose-based nanostructures for both solar cells and photoelectrochemical electrodes development are reviewed, and their morphology-related merits are discussed. For energy storage, the discussion is primarily focused on the applications of cellulose-based nanomaterials in lithium-ion batteries, including electrodes (e.g., active materials, binders, and structural support), electrolytes, and separators. Applications of cellulose nanomaterials in supercapacitors are also reviewed briefly. For mechanical energy harvesting, the most recent technology evolution in cellulose-based triboelectric nanogenerators is reviewed, from fundamental property tuning to practical implementations. At last, the future research potential and opportunities of cellulose nanomaterials as a new energy material are discussed.

In-situ environmental scanning electron microscopy for probing the properties of advanced energy materials

The unique properties of nanomaterials have made them potential candidates in energy applications. Due to the different structures and properties of nanomaterials, it is very important to study individual nanomaterials and correlate their properties to structures. In this review, we summarise in-situ electron microscopy methods for probing important properties of the nanomaterials for energy applications and their property-structure relationships, with an emphasis on those developed in our laboratory. Through the in-situ nanomanipulation conducted in a scanning electron microscope, the mechanical, electromechanical properties and photoelectronic properties of energy materials can be clarified and correlated to their structures. With the environmental atmosphere, electrochemical reactions occurred in batteries can be directly observed. Combined with the above measurements, the mechanical stability, mechanism and duration of the energy materials can be evaluated, based on which the performance of the materials can be improved and novel applications can be explored.

2D Nanomaterials: Regulating the Electrical Behaviors of 2D Inorganic Nanomaterials for Energy Applications (Small 6/2015)

2D Nanomaterials: Regulating the Electrical Behaviors of 2D Inorganic Nanomaterials for Energy Applications (Small 6/2015)

ChemInform Abstract: Synchrotron Soft X‐Ray Absorption Spectroscopy Study of Carbon and Silicon Nanostructures for Energy Applications.

AbstractReview: 187 refs.

Functional Nanomaterials for Energy Applications

In order to leap forward from the energy crisis issues and improve lifestyle, we all are looking positively toward nanomaterials or nanostructures. Thus, the exploration of new features of both typical and novel materials at the nanoscale level is playing important role in the development of innovative and improved energy technologies that have the capability of conserve/convert energy at large extend. By tailoring the surface morphology of materials in its nanoforms, the functional properties can be significantly adapted and specifically combined to produce highly potent multifunctional materials for conversion, storage, and consumption of energy in various forms. The papers selected for this special issue represent a good panel for addressing various energy applications including solar cell, fuel cells, nanofluid twisters, and gas sensors. Of course, the selected topic and the papers are not an exhaustive representation of the utilization of functional nanomaterials for energy applications. Nevertheless, they represent the rich and many-facet knowledge, which we have the pleasure of sharing with the readers.

Synchrotron soft X-ray absorption spectroscopy study of carbon and silicon nanostructures for energy applications.

Carbon and silicon materials are two of the most important materials involved in the history of the science and technology development. In the last two decades, C and Si nanoscale materials, e.g., carbon nanotubes, graphene, and silicon nanowires, and quantum dots, have also emerged as the most interesting nanomaterials in nanoscience and nanotechnology for their myriad promising applications such as for electronics, sensors, biotechnology, etc. In particular, carbon and silicon nanostructures are being utilized in energy-related applications such as catalysis, batteries, solar cells, etc., with significant advances. Understanding of the nature of surface and electronic structures of nanostructures plays a key role in the development and improvement of energy conversion and storage nanosystems. Synchrotron soft X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and related techniques, such as X-ray emission spectroscopy (XES) and scanning transmission X-ray microscopy (STXM), show unique capability in revealing the surface and electronic structures of C and Si nanomaterials. In this review, XAS is demonstrated as a powerful technique for probing chemical bonding, the electronic structure, and the surface chemistry of carbon and silicon nanomaterials, which can greatly enhance the fundamental understanding and also applicability of these nanomaterials in energy applications. The focus is on the unique advantages of XAS as a complementary tool to conventional microscopy and spectroscopy for effectively providing chemical and structural information about carbon and silicon nanostructures. The employment of XAS for in situ, real-time study of property evolution of C and Si nanostructures to elucidate the mechanisms in energy conversion or storage processes is also discussed.

The opportunity for graphene nanomaterials in energy applications

Graphene is a true 21st century material, and has the potential to enable revolutionary products based on its mechanical strength, electrical conductivity, transparency and other properties based on manipulation of the physics and chemistry of a sheet of carbon atoms just one layer thick. ‘Nanographene’ (nanoscale graphene flakes) is positioned to challenge conventional materials as well as carbon fibers and carbon nanotubes for future applications in flexible electronics, composites and energy storage due to its properties and potential manufacturing cost advantages. The uses for graphene are endless, and energy applications seem well suited to accept the physical and chemical advantages, the graphene has to offer. This article discusses the recent activity of nanographene, and how the energy landscape can accommodate this new material that is rife with potential to disrupt the status quo.

Mechanochemical Activation and Synthesis of Nanomaterials for Hydrogen Storage and Conversion in Electrochemical Power Sources

In this study we discuss a process of mechanical activation employed in place of chemical or thermal activation to improve the mobility and reactivity of hydrogen atoms and ions in nanomaterials for energy applications: rechargeable batteries and hydrogen storage for fuel cell systems. Two materials are discussed. Both are used or intended for use in power sources. One is nickel hydroxide, Ni(OH)2, which converts to oxyhydroxide in the positive Ni electrode of rechargeable metal hydride batteries. The other is a complex hydride, Mg(AIH4)2, intended for use in reversible, solid-state hydrogen storage for fuel cells. The feature shared by these unlikely materials (hydroxide and hydride) is a sheet-like hexagonal crystal structure. The mechanical activation was conducted in high-energy ball mills. We discuss and demonstrate that the mechanical excitation of atoms and ions imparted on these powders stems from the same class of phenomena. These are (i) proliferation of structural defects, in particular stacking faults in a sheet-like structure of hexagonal crystals, and (ii) possible fragmentation of a faulted structure into a mosaic of layered nanocrystals. The hydrogen atoms bonded in such nanocrystals may be inserted and abstracted more easily from OH- hydroxyl group in Ni(OH)2 and AlH4- hydride complex in Mg(AlH4)2 during hydrogen charge and discharge reactions. However, the effects of mechanical excitation imparted on these powders are different. While the Ni(OH)2 powder is greatly activated for cycling in batteries, the Mg(AlH4)2 complex hydride phase is greatly destabilized for use in reversible hydrogen storage. Such a "synchronic" view of the structure-property relationship in respect to materials involved in hydrogen energy storage and conversion is supported in experiments employing X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and direct imaging of the structure with a high-resolution transmission-electron microscope (HREM), as well as in property characterization.