Applications of Plasma in Energy Conversion and Storage Materials

Abstract

Renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydro hold the promise to meet the huge energy demands of the future at no environmental cost. Harvesting and utilization of these energies require efficient and low cost energy conversion and storage devices, whose performance essentially depends on the properties of the electrode materials. The properties of materials are greatly affected by synthesis methods and can be tuned by chemical modifications. Many approaches have therefore been developed toward this end. Among them, plasma has attracted increasing attention because of its great efficacy in producing and modifying materials under mild conditions. Herein, recent developments in plasma‐assisted synthesis (e.g., plasma conversion, milling, deposition, and exfoliation) and plasma‐assisted modification (e.g., plasma etching, doping, and other surface treatments) of energy conversion and storage materials are highlighted. Challenges and future opportunities in this field are also discussed. This review aims to provide a better understanding of how plasma can be utilized to synthesize and modify a variety of materials including transition metal phosphides, nitrides, chalcogenides, oxides as well as carbon materials, and to promote their additional applications in energy conversion and storage.

Ultrafine Metallic Nickel Domains and Reduced Molybdenum States Improve Oxygen Evolution Reaction of NiFeMo Electrocatalysts

“…In this work, we report a nickel‐iron‐molybdenum (NiFeMo) electrocatalyst with ultrafine metallic nickel domains of about 2.8 nm size and high‐valence reduced molybdenum ions (Mo 4+ ) on its surface, where have been prepared through the highly reducing chemicals using hydrogen and nitrogen plasmas. Also, NiFeMo oxyhydroxides have been directly grown on the 3D porous nickel foam substrate playing as an electron collector without using any binder.…”

Laser Irradiation of Electrode Materials for Energy Storage and Conversion

“…Energy storage and conversion involve electrochemical processes that are directly driven by electrons at the electrode materials, such as nanocarbons, transition metal compounds, and metal nanocrystals. 8 As a result, the local electronic configurations of electrode materials play a pivotal role in determining their performance. [51][52][53] Recent advances have revealed that structural defects and heterostructures are of paramount importance in regulating the electronic configurations.…”

“…[5][6][7] Because of the intermittency and geographical dispersion of these resources, electrochemical energy storage and conversion systems are of paramount importance for their efficient utilization. 8 In a reliable sustainable system, electricity generated from these renewable sources can either be directly stored in rechargeable batteries and supercapacitors as power supplies or be first converted into clean fuels via electrolyzers and then reproduced as electricity through fuel cells on demand. 5,8 Although these devices operate using different mechanisms, they employ similar device configurations whereby two separated electrodes are ionically connected by electrolytes.…”

“…8 In a reliable sustainable system, electricity generated from these renewable sources can either be directly stored in rechargeable batteries and supercapacitors as power supplies or be first converted into clean fuels via electrolyzers and then reproduced as electricity through fuel cells on demand. 5,8 Although these devices operate using different mechanisms, they employ similar device configurations whereby two separated electrodes are ionically connected by electrolytes. 5 The aforementioned electrochemical processes mainly take place at the electrode, thus making the exploration of advanced electrode materials a primary task for the further development of these electrochemical technologies.…”

Clean hydrogen generation and storage strategies via CO 2 utilization into chemicals and fuels: A review

“…Photocatalytic has high potential as a green route for the hydrogen production even though it has the lowest efficiency . Biohydrogen can achieve energy efficiency levels more than 50% than electrolysis, but they have high acidification potential as a result of coemission SO 2 and the possible quantities of inorganics and/or ash . In summary, alkaline water analysis should become alternative technology nowadays even though it is nongreen hydrogen to hydrogenate CO 2 .…”