Fabrication Of Structured Polymer And Nanomaterials For Advanced Energy Storage And Conversion

Since the first and second industrial revolutions, the development of energy conversion and storage technologies have brought great progress and convenience to modern society. Most of the innovations and technologies focus on the carbon-based fuels such as coal, petroleum and natural gas, which are not only limited resources and but also harmful for the environment. Meanwhile, the power demand from industries and societies has been growing rapidly in the recent years. In this consideration, a number of research efforts have been intensively applied to pursue alternative clean energy resources and new energy storage and conversion systems, such as supercapacitors, lithium-ion batteries, metal-oxygen, water electrolysis and so on. In this dissertation, we report the synthesis and preparation of a series of polymer and nanomaterials with controllable composition and structure, to fit for the specific requirement in different systems and promote the device performance.In order to prevent the aggregation of graphene sheets, we designed a method to fabricate 3D macro porous graphene by using bi-continuous polymer templates. The structure and pore size of the graphene can be controlled by corresponding polymer templates. The resulting graphene monolith materials were used as the supercapacitor electrode and exhibited excellent stability (over 6000 cycles with capacity retention of 98%). This work provides a novel way to fabricate high-quality, macroporous graphene that can be useful in applications such as electrochemical energy storage electrodes and high surface area catalyst scaffolds.To investigate the Li-oxygen battery discharge reaction pathway, patterned Au-nanodots as surface-enhanced Raman substrates are prepared by using a universal method of metal deposition through a nano-shadow mask. The discharge products on different electrodes (graphene and gold) were analyzed and the results indicated that the reaction process on the lithium-air cathode was significantly dependent upon the change of cathode materials. To develop a stable, efficient, non-noble metal-based electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution reaction, we have synthesized hollow and conductive iron-cobalt phosphide (Fe-Co-P) alloy nanostructures using a Fe-Co metal organic complex as a precursor. The Fe-Co-P alloy exhibits excellent OER activity with a specific current density of 10 mA/cm2 being achieved at an overpotential of 252 mV. Our results conclude that the electrochemical-induced high-valent iron stabilizes the cobalt in a low-valent state, leading to the simultaneous enhancement of activity and stability of the OER catalyst.For the purpose of developing high energy storage lithium ion batteries, we have synthesized highly porous Mn3O4/C nanospheres with the hierarchical structure as anode materials by self-assembly to form a spherical Mn-based metal organic complex, followed by a facile thermal annealing process. The Mn3O4/C nanospheres consisted of homogeneously distributed Mn3O4 nanocrystals with a conformal carbon coating. Such a hierarchical, porous structure provided both good electrical conductivity and volume changes accommodation capability. In order to mitigate the dendrite formation on the Li-metal electrode, 2D Ni3 (2,3,6,7,10,11-hexaiminotriphenylene)2 (Ni3 (HITP)2) metal-organic framework was also explored as the nano-host for Li deposition. During cycling, the high intrinsic electrical conductivity of Ni3 (HITP)2 evens potential difference on the Li metal surface and the nano-channel structure enables fast Li-ion and organic molecules through 2D nanosheets and endows nano hosts for Li nucleation and deposition. The 2D conductive MOF modified Li electrode exhibits an excellent coulombic efficiency of 99.95% in the Li/ Li2 Ti5 O12 (LTO) cell for 500 cycles. In order to improve the safety of lithium-ion batteries, we have explored a high yield method to prepare surface-modified glass fiber pillars strengthened shear thickening electrolyte from the conventional Li-ion battery electrolyte. The volume fraction of the fillers could be lowered compared with the spherical fillers due to the high aspect ratio of the glass fiber pillars. The electrochemical stability of this impact resistant electrolyte was further evaluated in the half-cell and full-cell characterizations. Ballistic tests were also carried out to monitor the voltage variation with different impact energies. In this thesis, we have introduced a number of synthesis and preparation methods to fabricate structured polymer and nanomaterials. These materials are employed as electrodes, electrolyte fillers and catalyst by adjusting the composition, structure, and surface of the materials. The fabrication and evaluation of the energy storage and conversion devices (supercapacitors, Li-ion, Li-oxygen batteries, and alkaline water electrolysis) are also included.

Oxide Free Nanomaterials for Energy Storage and Conversion Applications covers in depth topics on non-oxide nanomaterials involving transition metal nitrides, carbides, selenides, phosphides, oxynitrides based electrodes, & other non-oxide groups. The current application of nanostructured nonoxides involves their major usage in energy storage and conversion devices variety of applications such as supercapacitor, batteries, dye-sensitized solar cells and hydrogen production applications. The current application of energy storage devices involves their usage of nanostructured non-oxide materials with improved energy and power densities. In this book readers will discover the major advancements in this field during the past decades. The various techniques used to prepare environmentally friendly nanostructured non-oxide materials, their structural and morphological characterization, their improved mechanical and material properties, and finally, current applications and future impacts of these materials are discussed. While planning and fabricating non-oxide materials, the readers must be concern over that they ought to be abundant, cost-efficient and environment-friendly for clean innovation and conceivably be of use in an expansive choice of utilization. The book gives detailed literature on the development of nanostructured non-oxides, their use as energy related devices and their present trend in the industry and market. This book also emphasis on the latest advancement about application of these noble non-oxide based materials for photocatalytic water-splitting. Recent progress on various kinds of both photocatalytic and electrocatalytic nanomaterials is reviewed, and essential aspects which govern catalytic behaviours and the corresponding stability are discussed. The book will give an updated literature on the synthesis, potential applications and future of nanostructured non-oxides in energy related applications. This book is highly useful to researchers working in the field with diversified backgrounds are expected to making the chapter truly interdisciplinary in nature. The contents in the book will emphasize the recent advances in interdisciplinary research on processing, morphology, structure and properties of nanostructured non-materials and their applications in energy applications such as supercapacitors, batteries, solar cells, electrochemical water splitting and other energy applications. Thus, nanotechnology researchers, scientists and experts need to have update of the growing trends and applications in the field of science and technology. Further, the postgraduate students, scientists, researchers and technologists are need to buy this book. Offers a comprehensive coverage of the nanostructured non-oxide materials and their potential energy applications Examines the properties of nanostructured non-oxide materials that make them so adaptable Explores the mechanisms by which nanoparticles interact with each other, showing how these can be used for industrial applications Shows the how nanostructured non-oxide materials are used in a wide range of industry sectors, containing energy production and storage

This book provides a comprehensive overview of engineering nanostructures mediated by functional polymers in combination with optimal synthesis and processing techniques. The focus is on polymer-engineered nanostructures for advanced energy applications. It discusses a variety of polymers that function as precursors, templates, nano-reactors, surfactants, stabilizers, modifiers, dopants, and spacers for directing self-assembly, assisting organization, and templating growth of numerous diverse nanostructures. It also presents a wide range of polymer processing techniques that enable the efficient design and optimal fabrication of nanostructured polymers, inorganics, and organic–inorganic nanocomposites using in-situ hybridization and/or ex-situ recombination methodologies. Combining state-of-the-art knowledge from polymer-guided fabrication of advanced nanostructures and their unique properties, it especially highlights the new, cutting-edge breakthroughs, future horizons, and insights into such nanostructured materials in applications such as photovoltaics, fuel cells, thermoelectrics, piezoelectrics, ferroelectrics, batteries, supercapacitors, photocatalysis, and hydrogen generation and storage. It offers an instructive and approachable guide to polymer-engineered nanostructures for further development of advanced energy materials to meet ever-increasing global energy demands. Interdisciplinary and broad perspectives from internationally respected contributors ensure this book serves as a valuable reference source for scientists, students, and engineers working in polymer science, renewable energy materials, materials engineering, chemistry, physics, surface/interface science, and nanotechnology. It is also suitable as a textbook for universities, institutes, and industrial institutions.

Nanostructured, Functional, and Flexible Materials for Energy Conversion and Storage Systems gathers and reviews developments within the field of nanostructured functional materials towards energy conversion and storage. Contributions from leading research groups involved in interdisciplinary research in the fields of chemistry, physics and materials science and engineering are presented. Chapters dealing with the development of nanostructured materials for energy conversion processes, including oxygen reduction, methanol oxidation, oxygen evolution, hydrogen evolution, formic acid oxidation and solar cells are discussed. The work concludes with a look at the application of nanostructured functional materials in energy storage system, such as supercapacitors and batteries. With its distinguished international team of expert contributors, this book will be an indispensable tool for anyone involved in the field of energy conversion and storage, including materials engineers, scientists and academics. Covers the importance of energy conversion and storage systems and the application of nanostructured functional materials toward energy-relevant catalytic processes Discusses the basic principles involved in energy conversion and storage systems Presents the role of nanostructured functional materials in the current scenario of energy-related research and development

This book provides a comprehensive overview of the latest developments and materials used in electrochemical energy storage and conversion devices, including lithium-ion batteries, sodium-ion batteries, zinc-ion batteries, supercapacitors and conversion materials for solar and fuel cells. Chapters introduce the technologies behind each material, in addition to the fundamental principles of the devices, and their wider impact and contribution to the field. This book will be an ideal reference for researchers and individuals working in industries based on energy storage and conversion technologies across physics, chemistry and engineering. FEATURES Edited by established authorities, with chapter contributions from subject-area specialists Provides a comprehensive review of the field Up to date with the latest developments and research Editors Dr. Mesfin A. Kebede obtained his PhD in Metallurgical Engineering from Inha University, South Korea. He is now a principal research scientist at Energy Centre of Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), South Africa. He was previously an assistant professor in the Department of Applied Physics and Materials Science at Hawassa University, Ethiopia. His extensive research experience covers the use of electrode materials for energy storage and energy conversion. Prof. Fabian I. Ezema is a professor at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He obtained his PhD in Physics and Astronomy from University of Nigeria, Nsukka. His research focuses on several areas of materials science with an emphasis on energy applications, specifically electrode materials for energy conversion and storage.

Carbon Based Nanomaterials for Advanced Thermal and Electrochemical Energy Storage and Conversion presents a comprehensive overview of recent theoretical and experimental developments and prospects on carbon-based nanomaterials for thermal, solar and electrochemical energy conversion, along with their storage applications for both laboratory and industrial perspectives. Large growth in human populations has led to seminal growth in global energy consumption, hence fossil fuel usage has increased, as have unwanted greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, which results in critical environmental concerns. This book discusses this growing problem, aligning carbon nanomaterials as a solution because of their structural diversity and electronic, thermal and mechanical properties. Provides an overview on state-of-the-art carbon nanomaterials and key requirements for applications of carbon materials towards efficient energy storage and conversion Presents an updated and comprehensive review of recent work and the theoretical aspects on electrochemistry Includes discussions on the industrial production of carbon-based materials for energy applications, along with insights from industrial experts

The development and commercialization of rechargeable Li-ion battery in the 1990s has triggered the advancement of modern portable technology. Currently, with the emergence of electric vehicles and more complex gadgets, conventional lithium ion intercalation based secondary batteries could no longer live up to the demands of the end-use consumers. In this dissertation, ordered carbonaceous nanomaterials were utilized to integrate with the next-generation conversion chemistry based secondary batteries. Lithium-oxygen and sodium-sulfur battery systems were tested and developed in attempt to deliver higher energy density over the conventional Li-ion battery. The main objective of the work is to fabricate advanced electrodes that are capable of providing higher capacity in order to facilitate power grids and electric vehicles, while by doing so; the effects caused by the emission of CO2 could be significantly mitigated. Ordered carbonaceous nanomaterials were produced by the chemical vapor deposition method. Among the wide variety of carbon materials, vertically aligned carbon nanotubes were grown on a substrate and then subsequently peeled off and used as the electrode for the lithium-oxygen battery. With the combination of 2-methyl-pyrrolidone solvent, the assembled lithium-oxygen battery could achieve specific capacity of 1200 mAh·g-1 and under safe charge/discharge cycles for 50 cycles. Carbonized metal organic framework was fabricated by mixing selected precursors. Sulfur was melt infiltrated to yield the carbon/sulfur composite. The metal organic framework structure composite cathode exhibited specific capacity of 1000 mAh·g-1 for over 250 cycles for the room temperature sodium-sulfur system. In addition, nitrogen, sulfur co-doped hierarchical porous carbon was fabricated by soft template method and combined with sulfur. The N,S-HPC/S composite showed relatively lower energy density; however, with much higher cycle stability of ~10,000 cycles at a current density of 4.6A·g-1. The next generation secondary battery showed good performance yet with limited protection for the inevitable lithium dendrite growth if coupled with metallic lithium, which is an adverse phenomenon that would eventually result in the deterioration of the battery. The shortage of the battery is caused by the dendrite penetration, which could lead to safety issues including thermal runaways and explosions. Therefore, solid polymer electrolyte was designed and prepared to mechanically suppress the growth of dendrite during charging protocol. PEGDA polymer host, plasticizers and lithium salt were used to fabricate the solid ionic conducting membrane, which could achieve an ionic conductivity of 10-3 S·cm-1, a value that is comparable to the liquid electrolyte counterpart. The solid polymer electrolyte was implemented in the conventional lithium-ion battery and the advanced lithium-sulfur battery.

The book Materials for Sustainable Energy Storage Devices at the Nanoscale anticipates covering all electrochemical energy storage devices such as supercapacitors, lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), and fuel cells, transformation and enhancement materials for solar cells, photocatalysis, etc. The focal objective of the book is to deliver stunning and current information to the materials application at nanoscale to researchers and scientists in our contemporary time towardthe enhancement of energy conversion and storage devices. However, the contents of the proposed book, Materials for Sustainable Energy Storage at the Nanoscale, will cover various fundamental principles and wide knowledge of different energy conversion and storage devices with respect to their advancement due to the emergence of nanoscale materials for sustainable storage devices. This book is targeted to be award-winning as well as a reference book for researchers and scientists working on different types of nanoscale materials-based energy storage and conversion devices. Features Comprehensive overview of energy storage devices, an important field of interest for researchers worldwide Explores the importance and growing impact of batteries and supercapacitors Emphasizes the fundamental theories, electrochemical mechanism, and its computational view point and discusses recent developments in electrode designing based on nanomaterials, separators, and fabrication of advanced devices and their performances

A timely overview of fundamental and advanced topics of conjugated polymer nanostructures Conjugated Polymer Nanostructures for Energy Conversion and Storage Applications is a comprehensive reference on conjugated polymers for energy applications. Distinguished academic and editor Srabanti Ghosh offers readers a broad overview of the synthesis, characterization, and energy-related applications of nanostructures based on conjugated polymers. The book includes novel approaches and presents an interdisciplinary perspective rooted in the interfacing of polymer and synthetic chemistry, materials science, organic chemistry, and analytical chemistry. This book provides complete descriptions of conjugated polymer nanostructures and polymer-based hybrid materials for energy conversion, water splitting, and the degradation of organic pollutants. Photovoltaics, solar cells, and energy storage devices such as supercapacitors, lithium ion battery electrodes, and their associated technologies are discussed, as well. Conjugated Polymer Nanostructures for Energy Conversion and Storage Applications covers both the fundamental topics and the most recent advances in this rapidly developing area, including: The design and characterization of conjugated polymer nanostructures, including the template-free and chemical synthesis of polymer nanostructures Conjugated polymer nanostructures for solar energy conversion and environmental protection, including the use of conjugated polymer-based nanocomposites as photocatalysts Conjugated polymer nanostructures for energy storage, including the use of nanocomposites as electrode materials The presentation of different and novel methods of utilizing conjugated polymer nanostructures for energy applications Perfect for materials scientists, polymer chemists, and physical chemists, Conjugated Polymer Nanostructures for Energy Conversion and Storage Applications also belongs on the bookshelves of organic chemists and any other practicing researchers, academics, or professionals whose work touches on these highly versatile and useful structures.

Advanced Nanomaterials for Electrochemical Energy Conversion and Storage covers recent progress made in the rational design and engineering of functional nanomaterials for battery and supercapacitor applications in the forms of electrode materials, separators and electrolytes. The book includes detailed discussions of preparation methods, structural characterization, and manipulation techniques. Users will find a comprehensive illustration on the close correlation between material structures and properties, such as energy density, power density, cycle number and safety. Provides an overview on the application of nanomaterials for energy storage and power systems Includes a description of the fundamental aspects of the electrochemical process Explores the new aspects of electrolyte and separator systems