Low-Dimensional Nanomaterial Systems Formed by IVA Group Elements Allow Energy Conversion Materials to Flourish

Abstract

In response to the exhaustion of traditional energy, green and efficient energy conversion has attracted growing attention. The IVA group elements, especially carbon, are widely distributed and stable in the earth’s crust, and have received a lot of attention from scientists. The low-dimensional structures composed of IVA group elements have special energy band structure and electrical properties, which allow them to show more excellent performance in the fields of energy conversion. In recent years, the diversification of synthesis and optimization of properties of IVA group elements low-dimensional nanomaterials (IVA-LD) contributed to the flourishing development of related fields. This paper reviews the properties and synthesis methods of IVA-LD for energy conversion devices, as well as their current applications in major fields such as ion battery, moisture electricity generation, and solar-driven evaporation. Finally, the prospects and challenges faced by the IVA-LD in the field of energy conversion are discussed.

Current Trends of Bacterial and Fungal Optoproteins for Novel Optical Applications

“…Optoprotein-based materials (OPMs) refer to a class of materials functionalized with photoswitchable proteins [134]. This modification allows the manipulation of material properties, including mechanical behavior [135], thermal conductivity [136], cell adhesion [137], optical response [138], conductivity [139], and morphology [140]. In the scientific literature [141,142], there are references to "smart" materials that show sensitivity to changes in light; however, it must be considered that most of these resulting alterations are usually irreversible.…”