Advanced Functional Membranes for Energy Applications

Abstract

Global warming has become a serious threat to the environment as well as human life. The application of renewable and green energy sources has been emphasized in recent years to overcome the energy demand and save the environment. As a competent alternative to renewable energy sources, membrane-based energy generation has attracted the attention of researchers. In the past few decades, the application of advanced functional membranes in green energy production has gained importance. The application of polyelectrolyte membranes in fuel cells has become an emerging technology due to high proton conductivity, excellent thermal, chemical stability, and mechanical strength. Pressure retarded osmosis is also one of the membrane-based energy generation techniques which have been upgraded with significant developments. The various polymeric membranes, both inorganic and organic, have been employed in the energy production processes. In the past few years, the application of biopolymeric membranes made up of chitosan blends has shown excellent progress. The storage of energy also plays an equivalent role in energy production. The application of membranes has a vital role in energy storage batteries. This chapter deals with all the advanced functional membranes for energy production and storage.