Selected nanotechnologies for renewable energy applications

Abstract

SUMMARYAs the world faces serious energy challenges, the development and implementation of renewable energy technologies become increasingly important. In this article, we offer a glimpse of the role nanotechnology, in particular, innovations of nanostructures and nanomaterials, is playing in the development of selected renewable energy technologies. These technologies, based on the authors' research interests, include (1) converting the energy of sunlight directly into electricity using solar cells; (2) converting solar energy into hydrogen fuel by splitting water into its constituents; (3) storing hydrogen in solid-state forms; and (4) utilizing hydrogen to generate electricity through the use of fuel cells. It is clear that nanotechnologyenabled renewable energy technologies are starting to scale up dramatically. As they become mature and cost effective in the decades to come, renewable energy could eventually replace the traditional, environmentally unfriendly, fossil fuels. Published in 2007 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Synthesis of Nanocrystalline of Lanthanum Doped NaTaO3 and Photocatalytic Activity for Hydrogen Production

“…It is the most promising technology for this purpose, as through this process H 2 can be obtained directly from abundant and renewable water and solar light [6]. Since the discovery of hydrogen evolution over a TiO 2 single crystal electrode [7], the technology of semiconductor-based photocatalytic water-splitting to produce hydrogen using solar energy is considered one of the most important approaches to solving the world energy crisis [8].…”

Morphology Control of Single Crystalline Rutile TiO2Nanowires

“…15 These structures exhibit physical and chemical properties distinct from their bulk counterparts due to radial confinement, while they retain the advantages of wirelike connectivity. Among them, TiO 2 nanowire as 1D nano-structure particularly attracted much interest because of the unique properties depending on their size.…”

Investigations on the Separation Efficiency of Tubular Bowl Centrifuges

“…The separation of colloidal particles from dilute suspensions is a difficult but crucial task since the application of nanoscale particles becomes significantly more important for diverse industrial processes [1][2][3]. Common methods like nanofiltration and electrophoresis are restricted to low throughputs.…”