Oriented Nanostructures for Energy Conversion and Storage

Abstract

Recently, the role of nanostructured materials in addressing the challenges in energy and natural resources has attracted wide attention. In particular, oriented nanostructures demonstrate promising properties for energy harvesting, conversion, and storage. In this Review, we highlight the synthesis and application of oriented nanostructures in a few key areas of energy technologies, namely photovoltaics, batteries, supercapacitors, and thermoelectrics. Although the applications differ from field to field, a common fundamental challenge is to improve the generation and transport of electrons and ions. We highlight the role of high surface area to maximize the surface activity and discuss the importance of optimum dimension and architecture, controlled pore channels, and alignment of the nanocrystalline phase to optimize the transport of electrons and ions. Finally, we discuss the challenges in attaining integrated architectures to achieve the desired performance. Brief background information is provided for the relevant technologies, but the emphasis is focused mainly on the nanoscale effects of mostly inorganic-based materials and devices.

ZnO Nanostructures for Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells

“…Many photovoltaic devices have already been developed over the past five decades. [1][2][3] However, wide-spread use is still limited by two significant challenges, namely conversion efficiency and cost. [4][5][6] One of the traditional photovoltaic devices is the single-crystalline silicon solar cell, which was invented more than 50 years ago and currently makes up 94% of the market.…”

“…[19] Although those photovoltaic devices built on silicon or compound semiconductors have been achieving high efficiency for practical use, they still require major breakthroughs to meet the long-term goal of very-low cost (US$0.40 kWh À1 ). [1] To aim at further lowering the production costs, dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) based on oxide semiconductors and organic dyes or metallorganic-complex dyes have recently emerged as promising approach to efficient solar-energy conversion. The DSCs are a photoelectrochemical system, which incorporate a porous-structured oxide film with adsorbed dye molecules as the photosensitized anode.…”

Review of Electrochemical Capacitors Based on Carbon Nanotubes and Graphene

“…The invention of EC aims to bridge the critical performance gap between higher energy density of battery and high power density of conventional electrolytic capacitor [1][2][3][4][5][6]. As such, EC can facilitate and benefit various applications, for instance, portable electronics, digital communications, hybrid electric vehicles, and so forth [7][8][9][10].…”

SnS2 nanoparticle loaded graphene nanocomposites for superior energy storage

“…as a conductive matrix to enhance electron transport and electrical contact with electrochemically active materials, such as Si, transition metal oxides, transition metal sulfides, etc., in rechargeable LIBs and to effectively prevent their volume expansion/shrinkage and aggregation of these electrochemically active phases during the Li-ion charge/discharge processes. 15,[20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34] Furthermore, its large surface area could also facilitate the absorption of Li atoms on both sides of the sheet or into its ubiquitous cavities and porous structures. 35 As a result, graphene-based nanocomposites have excellent electrochemical performance when used as anodes for rechargeable LIBs.…”