Nanostructured Materials for Electric Applications

A special issue of Nanomaterials (ISSN 2079-4991). This special issue belongs to the section "Synthesis, Interfaces and Nanostructures".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 March 2025 | Viewed by 4506

Special Issue Editors


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Physics, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
Interests: design; fabrication and physics of solid-state quantum materials for electronic; spintronic and energy applications
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Optoelectronic Engineering, Chengdu University of Information Technology, Chengdu, China
Interests: development and application of advanced energy materials for solar cells; metal-ion batteries; and electrocatalysis

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The rapid advancement of energy technologies has significantly accelerated the development of advanced energy materials. The Special Issue “Nanostructured Materials for Electric Applications” aims to provide a comprehensive platform for researchers to share their latest findings in various domains, including solar cells, metal-ion batteries, triboelectric nanogenerators, electrocatalysts, etc. By focusing on innovative materials and their applications, this Special Issue seeks to highlight breakthroughs in the design, synthesis, and characterization of materials that enhance the efficiency, stability, and overall performance of energy devices. For instance, in the realm of solar cells, contributions will cover the innovations to improve light harvesting and carrier collection in perovskite, quantum dot, organic heterojunction, and dye-sensitized solar cells. For metal-ion batteries, articles will explore novel electrode and electrolyte materials, advanced characterization techniques, and theoretical studies that address performance improvements and commercialization challenges. Additionally, research on electrocatalysis will examine the catalytic activity and/or the stabilization of the materials, with a focus on enhancing efficiencies for applications such as fuel cells and hydrogen production.

By bringing together cutting-edge research, this Special Issue aims to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange among researchers, industry professionals, and policymakers. Through this collection, we hope to inspire new ideas and approaches, driving further advancements in energy technologies and contributing to a sustainable future.

Prof. Dr. Gang Xiang
Dr. Dingyu Yang
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Nanomaterials is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • solar cells
  • metal-ion batteries
  • triboelectric nanogenerators
  • photocatalysts
  • electrocatalysts

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Published Papers (5 papers)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

11 pages, 2655 KiB  
Article
Enhanced Optical and Electrical Properties of IGZO/Ag/IGZO for Solar Cell Application via Post-Rapid Thermal Annealing
by Chanmin Hwang, Taegi Kim, Yuseong Jang, Doowon Lee and Hee-Dong Kim
Nanomaterials 2024, 14(22), 1841; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14221841 - 18 Nov 2024
Viewed by 396
Abstract
In this paper, we optimized IGZO/Ag/IGZO (IAI) multilayer films by post-rapid thermal annealing (RTA) to enhance the electrical conductivity and optical transmittance in visible wavelengths for solar cell applications. Our optimized device showed an average transmittance of 85% in the visible range, with [...] Read more.
In this paper, we optimized IGZO/Ag/IGZO (IAI) multilayer films by post-rapid thermal annealing (RTA) to enhance the electrical conductivity and optical transmittance in visible wavelengths for solar cell applications. Our optimized device showed an average transmittance of 85% in the visible range, with a lowest sheet resistance of 6.03 Ω/□ when annealed at 500 °C for 60 s. Based on these results, we assessed our device with photo-generated short circuit current density (JSC) using a solar cell simulator to confirm its applicability in the solar cell. IAI multilayer RTA at 500 °C for 60 s showed a highest JSC of 40.73 mA/cm2. These results show that our proposed IAI multilayer film, which showed a high optical transparency and electrical conductivity optimized with post RTA, seems to be excellent transparent electrode for solar cell applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanostructured Materials for Electric Applications)
Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 4891 KiB  
Article
Förster Resonance Energy Transfer and Enhanced Emission in Cs4PbBr6 Nanocrystals Encapsulated in Silicon Nano-Sheets for Perovskite Light Emitting Diode Applications
by Araceli Herrera Mondragon, Roberto Gonzalez Rodriguez, Noah Hurley, Sinto Varghese, Yan Jiang, Brian Squires, Maoding Cheng, Brooke Davis, Qinglong Jiang, Mansour Mortazavi, Anupama B. Kaul, Jeffery L. Coffer, Jingbiao Cui and Yuankun Lin
Nanomaterials 2024, 14(19), 1596; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14191596 - 3 Oct 2024
Viewed by 943
Abstract
Encapsulating Cs4PbBr6 quantum dots in silicon nano-sheets not only stabilizes the halide perovskite, but also takes advantage of the nano-sheet for a compatible integration with the traditional silicon semiconductor. Here, we report the preparation of un-passivated Cs4PbBr6 [...] Read more.
Encapsulating Cs4PbBr6 quantum dots in silicon nano-sheets not only stabilizes the halide perovskite, but also takes advantage of the nano-sheet for a compatible integration with the traditional silicon semiconductor. Here, we report the preparation of un-passivated Cs4PbBr6 ellipsoidal nanocrystals and pseudo-spherical quantum dots in silicon nano-sheets and their enhanced photoluminescence (PL). For a sample with low concentrations of quantum dots in silicon nano-sheets, the emission from Cs4PbBr6 pseudo-spherical quantum dots is quenched and is dominated with Pb2+ ion/silicene emission, which is very stable during the whole measurement period. For a high concentration of Cs4PbBr6 ellipsoidal nanocrystals in silicon nano-sheets, we have observed Förster resonance energy transfer with up to 87% efficiency through the oscillation of two PL peaks when UV excitation switches between on and off, using recorded video and PL lifetime measurements. In an area of a non-uniform sample containing both ellipsoidal nanocrystals and pseudo-spherical quantum dots, where Pb2+ ion/silicene emissions, broadband emissions from quantum dots, and bandgap edge emissions (515 nm) appear, the 515 nm peak intensity increases five times over 30 min of UV excitation, probably due to a photon recycling effect. This irradiated sample has been stable for one year of ambient storage. Cs4PbBr6 quantum dots encapsulated in silicon nano-sheets can lead to applications of halide perovskite light emitting diodes (PeLEDs) and integration with traditional semiconductor materials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanostructured Materials for Electric Applications)
Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 2584 KiB  
Article
Bandgap Engineering via Doping Strategies for Narrowing the Bandgap below 1.2 eV in Sn/Pb Binary Perovskites: Unveiling the Role of Bi3+ Incorporation on Different A-Site Compositions
by Jeong-Yeon Lee, Seojun Lee, Jun Ryu and Dong-Won Kang
Nanomaterials 2024, 14(19), 1554; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14191554 - 26 Sep 2024
Viewed by 751
Abstract
The integration of perovskite materials in solar cells has garnered significant attention due to their exceptional photovoltaic properties. However, achieving a bandgap energy below 1.2 eV remains challenging, particularly for applications requiring infrared absorption, such as sub-cells in tandem solar cells and single-junction [...] Read more.
The integration of perovskite materials in solar cells has garnered significant attention due to their exceptional photovoltaic properties. However, achieving a bandgap energy below 1.2 eV remains challenging, particularly for applications requiring infrared absorption, such as sub-cells in tandem solar cells and single-junction perovskite solar cells. In this study, we employed a doping strategy to engineer the bandgap and observed that the doping effects varied depending on the A-site cation. Specifically, we investigated the impact of bismuth (Bi3+) incorporation into perovskites with different A-site cations, such as cesium (Cs) and methylammonium (MA). Remarkably, Bi3+ doping in MA-based tin-lead perovskites enabled the fabrication of ultra-narrow bandgap films (~1 eV). Comprehensive characterization, including structural, optical, and electronic analyses, was conducted to elucidate the effects of Bi doping. Notably, 8% Bi-doped Sn-Pb perovskites demonstrated infrared absorption extending up to 1360 nm, an unprecedented range for ABX3-type single halide perovskites. This work provides valuable insights into further narrowing the bandgap of halide perovskite materials, which is essential for their effective use in multi-junction tandem solar cell architectures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanostructured Materials for Electric Applications)
Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 5861 KiB  
Article
Engineering Moderately Lithiophilic Paper-Based Current Collectors with Variable Solid Electrolyte Interface Films for Anode-Free Lithium Batteries
by Baohong Yang, Hairu Wei, Huan Wang, Haoteng Wu, Yanbo Guo, Xuan Ren, Chuanyin Xiong, Hanbin Liu and Haiwei Wu
Nanomaterials 2024, 14(17), 1461; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14171461 - 8 Sep 2024
Viewed by 934
Abstract
Compared to traditional lithium metal batteries, anode-free lithium metal batteries use bare current collectors as an anode instead of Li metal, making them highly promising for mass production and achieving high-energy density. The current collector, as the sole component of the anode, is [...] Read more.
Compared to traditional lithium metal batteries, anode-free lithium metal batteries use bare current collectors as an anode instead of Li metal, making them highly promising for mass production and achieving high-energy density. The current collector, as the sole component of the anode, is crucial in lithium deposition-stripping behavior and greatly impacts the rate of Li depletion from the cathode. In this study, to investigate the lithiophilicity effect of the current collector on the solid electrolyte interface (SEI) film construction and cycling performance of anode-free lithium batteries, various lightweight paper-based current collectors were prepared by electroless plating Cu and lipophilic Ag on low-dust paper (LDP). The areal densities of the as-prepared LDP@Cu, LDP@Cu-Ag, and LDP@Ag were approximately 0.33 mg cm−2. The use of lipophilic Ag-coated collectors with varying loadings allowed for the regulation of lipophilicity. The impacts of these collectors on the distribution of SEI components and Li depletion rate in common electrolytes were investigated. The findings suggest that higher loadings of lipophilic materials, such as Ag, on the current collector increase its lipophilicity but also lead to significant Li depletion during the cycling process in full-cell anode-free Li metal batteries. Thus, moderately lithiophilic current collectors, such as LDP@Cu-Ag, show more potential for Li deposition and striping and stable SEI with a low speed of Li depletion. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanostructured Materials for Electric Applications)
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

Review

Jump to: Research

27 pages, 7049 KiB  
Review
Quantum Dots for Resistive Switching Memory and Artificial Synapse
by Gyeongpyo Kim, Seoyoung Park and Sungjun Kim
Nanomaterials 2024, 14(19), 1575; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14191575 - 29 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1187
Abstract
Memristor devices for resistive-switching memory and artificial synapses have emerged as promising solutions for overcoming the technological challenges associated with the von Neumann bottleneck. Recently, due to their unique optoelectronic properties, solution processability, fast switching speeds, and low operating voltages, quantum dots (QDs) [...] Read more.
Memristor devices for resistive-switching memory and artificial synapses have emerged as promising solutions for overcoming the technological challenges associated with the von Neumann bottleneck. Recently, due to their unique optoelectronic properties, solution processability, fast switching speeds, and low operating voltages, quantum dots (QDs) have drawn substantial research attention as candidate materials for memristors and artificial synapses. This review covers recent advancements in QD-based resistive random-access memory (RRAM) for resistive memory devices and artificial synapses. Following a brief introduction to QDs, the fundamental principles of the switching mechanism in RRAM are introduced. Then, the RRAM materials, synthesis techniques, and device performance are summarized for a relative comparison of RRAM materials. Finally, we introduce QD-based RRAM and discuss the challenges associated with its implementation in memristors and artificial synapses. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanostructured Materials for Electric Applications)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop