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17 pages, 25355 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Surface Wettability on Nanoparticle Deposition during Pool Boiling on Laser-Textured Copper Surfaces

by Jure Berce, Armin Hadžić, Matic Može, Klara Arhar, Henrik Gjerkeš, Matevž Zupančič and Iztok Golobič

Nanomaterials 2024, 14(3), 311; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14030311 - 4 Feb 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1643

Abstract

Prior studies have evidenced the potential for enhancing boiling heat transfer through modifications of surface or fluid properties. The deployment of nanofluids in pool boiling systems is challenging due to the deposition of nanoparticles on structured surfaces, which may result in performance deterioration. [...] Read more.

Prior studies have evidenced the potential for enhancing boiling heat transfer through modifications of surface or fluid properties. The deployment of nanofluids in pool boiling systems is challenging due to the deposition of nanoparticles on structured surfaces, which may result in performance deterioration. This study addresses the use of TiO₂–water nanofluids (mass concentrations of 0.001 wt.% and 0.1 wt.%) in pool boiling heat transfer and concurrent mitigation of nanoparticle deposition on superhydrophobic laser-textured copper surfaces. Samples, modified through nanosecond laser texturing, were subjected to boiling in an as-prepared superhydrophilic (SHPI) state and in a superhydrophobic state (SHPO) following hydrophobization with a self-assembled monolayer of fluorinated silane. The boiling performance assessment involved five consecutive boiling curve runs under saturated conditions at atmospheric pressure. Results on superhydrophilic surfaces reveal that the use of nanofluids always led to a deterioration of the heat transfer coefficient (up to 90%) compared to pure water due to high nanoparticle deposition. The latter was largely mitigated on superhydrophobic surfaces, yet their performance was still inferior to that of the same surface in water. On the other hand, CHF values of 1209 kW m⁻² and 1462 kW m⁻² were recorded at 0.1 wt.% concentration on both superhydrophobic and superhydrophilic surfaces, respectively, representing a slight enhancement of 16% and 27% compared to the results obtained on their counterparts investigated in water. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanostructured Materials for Energy Applications)

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26 pages, 33727 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Metal Scrap to Hydrogen: Manufacture of Hydroreactive Solid Shapes via Combination of Ball Milling, Cold Pressing, and Spark Plasma Sintering

by Olesya A. Buryakovskaya, Mikhail S. Vlaskin and Aleksey V. Butyrin

Nanomaterials 2023, 13(24), 3118; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13243118 - 11 Dec 2023

Viewed by 1362

Abstract

Two sorts of tablets were manufactured from ball-milled powder (aluminum scrap and copper) by cold pressing and spark plasma sintering. Their microstructure, phase, and elemental compositions were investigated via scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. New phases, Al₂ [...] Read more.

Two sorts of tablets were manufactured from ball-milled powder (aluminum scrap and copper) by cold pressing and spark plasma sintering. Their microstructure, phase, and elemental compositions were investigated via scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. New phases, Al₂Cu and MgCuAl₂, were detected in the samples. Their microstructure was formed by welded scrap particles, the intermetallides, and Cu-rich regions located majorly along ‘interparticle boundaries’ and, to a lesser extent, within small, micro- and nanosized ‘intraparticle spots’. The tablets were sealed with adhesive, so only the top surface was exposed to the environment, and tested in a chlorine aqueous solution for hydrogen generation performance. For both sample sorts, hydrogen yields of nearly 100% were achieved. The sintered tablets reacted faster than the cold-pressed ones: at 60, 70, and 80 °C, their entire ‘conversion into hydrogen’ took ~80, 40, and 30 min. vs. ~220, 100, and 70 min. The experimental kinetic curves were fitted with a contracting geometry equation, and those for the sintered samples were approximated with higher precision. The key effect of the additive was to enhance hydrogen evolution through the galvanic corrosion of Al in the regions adjacent to the intermetallic inclusions and Cu-rich spots. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanostructured Materials for Energy Applications)

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13 pages, 5429 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Origin and Formation Mechanism of Carbon Shell-Encapsulated Metal Nanoparticles for Powerful Fuel Cell Durability

by Hyeonwoo Choi, Yoonseong Choi, Jiho Min, Keonwoo Ko, Yunjin Kim, Sourabh S. Chougule, Davletbaev Khikmatulla and Namgee Jung

Nanomaterials 2023, 13(21), 2862; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13212862 - 29 Oct 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1766

Abstract

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) face technical issues of performance degradation due to catalyst dissolution and agglomeration in real-world operations. To address these challenges, intensive research has been recently conducted to introduce additional structural units on the catalyst surface. Among various concepts [...] Read more.

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) face technical issues of performance degradation due to catalyst dissolution and agglomeration in real-world operations. To address these challenges, intensive research has been recently conducted to introduce additional structural units on the catalyst surface. Among various concepts for surface modification, carbon shell encapsulation is known to be a promising strategy since the carbon shell can act as a protective layer for metal nanoparticles. As an interesting approach to form carbon shells on catalyst surfaces, the precursor ligand-induced formation is preferred due to its facile synthesis and tunable control over the carbon shell porosity. However, the origin of the carbon source and the carbon shell formation mechanism have not been studied in depth yet. Herein, this study aims to investigate carbon sources through the use of different precursors and the introduction of new methodologies related to the ligand exchange phenomenon. Subsequently, we provide new insights into the carbon shell formation mechanism using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Finally, the thermal stability and electrochemical durability of carbon shells are thoroughly investigated through in situ transmission electron microscopy (in situ TEM) and accelerated durability tests. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanostructured Materials for Energy Applications)

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17 pages, 3781 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Wearable Electrospun Piezoelectric Mats Based on a PVDF Nanofiber–ZnO@ZnS Core–Shell Nanoparticles Composite for Power Generation

by Nehal Ali, El-Refaie Kenawy, A. A. Wadoud and M. I. Elhadary

Nanomaterials 2023, 13(21), 2833; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13212833 - 26 Oct 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1547

Abstract

This work adopted a strategy to use new functional high-performance piezoelectric materials for sustainable energy production in wearable self-powered electrical devices. An innovative modification in electrospinning was used to produce highly aligned nanofibers. In the nanogenerator, the flexible membrane constituents were tunefully combined. [...] Read more.

This work adopted a strategy to use new functional high-performance piezoelectric materials for sustainable energy production in wearable self-powered electrical devices. An innovative modification in electrospinning was used to produce highly aligned nanofibers. In the nanogenerator, the flexible membrane constituents were tunefully combined. The novel composite nanofibers were made of Poly (vinylidene fluoride) PVDF, loaded with ZnO@ZnS core–shell nanoparticles to achieve a non-brittle performance of the hetero nanoparticles and piezoelectric polymer. A nanofiber mat was inserted between two thermoplastic sheets with conductive electrodes for application in wearable electronic devices. Complete spectroscopic analyses were performed to characterize the nanofiber’s material composition. It is shown that the addition of 10 wt % ZnO@ZnS core–shell nanoparticles significantly improved the piezoelectric properties of the nanofibers and simultaneously kept them flexible due to the exceedingly resilient nature of the composite. The superior performance of the piezoelectric parameter of the nanofibrous mats was due to the crystallinity (polar β phase) and surface topography of the mat. The conversion sensitivity of the PVDF device recorded almost 0.091 V/N·mm³, while that of the PVDF—10 wt % ZnO@ZnS composite mat recorded a sensitivity of 0.153 V/N·mm³, which is higher than many flexible nano-generators. These nanogenerators provide a simple, efficient, and cost-effective solution to microelectronic wearable devices. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanostructured Materials for Energy Applications)

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10 pages, 3397 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Solar-Driven Oil–Water Separator with Fluorescence Sensing Performance

by Xin Li, Wei Lin, Florian Ion Tiberiu Petrescu, Jia Li, Likui Wang, Haiyan Zhu, Haijun Wang and Gang Shi

Nanomaterials 2023, 13(19), 2696; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13192696 - 3 Oct 2023

Viewed by 1306

Abstract

Presently, the separation of oil and water through functional membranes inevitably entails either inefficient gravity-driven processes or energy-intensive vacuum pressure mechanisms. This study introduces an innovative photothermal evaporator that uses solar energy to drive oil–water separation while concurrently facilitating the detection of Fe [...] Read more.

Presently, the separation of oil and water through functional membranes inevitably entails either inefficient gravity-driven processes or energy-intensive vacuum pressure mechanisms. This study introduces an innovative photothermal evaporator that uses solar energy to drive oil–water separation while concurrently facilitating the detection of Fe³⁺ in wastewater. First, by alkali delignification, small holes were formed on the side wall of the large size tubular channel in the direction of wood growth. Subsequently, superhydrophilic SiO₂ nanoparticles were in situ assembled onto the sidewalls of the tubular channels. Finally, carbon quantum dots were deposited by spin-coating on the surface of the evaporator, paralleling the growth direction of the wood. During the photothermal evaporation process, the tubular channels with small holes in the side wall parallel the bulk water, which not only ensures the effective water supply to the photothermal surface but also reduces the heat loss caused by water reflux on the photothermal surface. The superhydrophilic SiO₂ nanoparticles confer both hydrophilic and oleophobic properties to the evaporator, preventing the accumulation of minute oil droplets within the device and achieving sustained and stable oil–water separation over extended periods. These carbon quantum dots exhibit capabilities for both photothermal conversion and fluorescence transmission. This photothermal evaporator achieves an evaporation rate as high as 2.3 kg m⁻² h⁻¹ in the oil–water separation process, and it has the ability to detect Fe³⁺ concentrations in wastewater as low as 10⁻⁹ M. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanostructured Materials for Energy Applications)

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15 pages, 3657 KiB

Open AccessArticle

In Situ N, O-Dually Doped Nanoporous Biochar Derived from Waste Eutrophic Spirulina for High-Performance Supercapacitors

by Yihao Geng, Jieni Wang, Xuanyu Chen, Qizhao Wang, Shuqin Zhang, Yijun Tian, Chenxiao Liu, Lin Wang, Zhangdong Wei, Leichang Cao, Jinglai Zhang and Shicheng Zhang

Nanomaterials 2023, 13(17), 2431; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13172431 - 27 Aug 2023

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1995

Abstract

Sustainable and high-performance energy storage materials are crucial to address global energy and environmental challenges. In this study, Spirulina platensis was used as the carbon and nitrogen source, and Spirulina-based nanoporous biochar (SNPB) was synthesized through chemical activation using KOH as the [...] Read more.

Sustainable and high-performance energy storage materials are crucial to address global energy and environmental challenges. In this study, Spirulina platensis was used as the carbon and nitrogen source, and Spirulina-based nanoporous biochar (SNPB) was synthesized through chemical activation using KOH as the activating agent in N₂ atmosphere. SNPB-800-4 was characterized by N₂ adsorption–desorption and XPS, showing a high specific surface area (2923.7 m² g⁻¹) and abundant heteroatomic oxygen (13.78%) and nitrogen (2.55%). SNPB-800-4 demonstrated an exceptional capacitance of 348 F g⁻¹ at a current density of 1 A g⁻¹ and a remarkable capacitance retention of 94.14% after 10,000 cycles at a current density of 10 A g⁻¹ in 6 M KOH. Notably, symmetric supercapacitors SNPB-800-4//SNPB-800-4 achieved the maximum energy and power densities of 17.99 Wh kg⁻¹ and 162.48 W kg⁻¹, respectively, at a current density of 0.5 A g⁻¹, and still maintained 2.66 Wh kg⁻¹ when the power density was increased to 9685.08 W kg⁻¹ at a current density of 30 A g⁻¹. This work provides an easily scalable and straightforward way to convert waste algae biomass into in situ N, O-dually doped biochar for ultra-high-power supercapacitors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanostructured Materials for Energy Applications)

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15 pages, 3141 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Biomass-Derived Sustainable Electrode Material for Low-Grade Heat Harvesting

by Jonghak Park and Taewoo Kim

Nanomaterials 2023, 13(9), 1488; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13091488 - 27 Apr 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1655

Abstract

The ever-increasing energy demand and global warming caused by fossil fuels push for the exploration of sustainable and eco-friendly energy sources. Waste thermal energy has been considered as one of the promising candidates for sustainable power generation as it is abundantly available everywhere [...] Read more.

The ever-increasing energy demand and global warming caused by fossil fuels push for the exploration of sustainable and eco-friendly energy sources. Waste thermal energy has been considered as one of the promising candidates for sustainable power generation as it is abundantly available everywhere in our daily lives. Recently, thermo-electrochemical cells based on the temperature-dependent redox potential have been intensely studied for efficiently harnessing low-grade waste heat. Despite considerable progress in improving thermocell performance, no attempt was made to develop electrode materials from renewable precursors. In this work, we report the synthesis of a porous carbon electrode from mandarin peel waste through carbonization and activation processes. The influence of carbonization temperature and activating agent/carbon precursor ratio on the performance of thermocell was studied to optimize the microstructure and elemental composition of electrode materials. Due to its well-developed pore structure and nitrogen doping, the mandarin peel-derived electrodes carbonized at 800 °C delivered the maximum power density. The areal power density (P) of 193.4 mW m⁻² and P/(ΔT)² of 0.236 mW m⁻² K⁻² were achieved at ΔT of 28.6 K. However, KOH-activated electrodes showed no performance enhancement regardless of activating agent/carbon precursor ratio. The electrode material developed here worked well under different temperature differences, proving its feasibility in harvesting electrical energy from various types of waste heat sources. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanostructured Materials for Energy Applications)

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11 pages, 3998 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

A Novel Photo-Thermal-Electric Conversion System with an Integrated Support Material

by Peng Kang, Florian Ion Tiberiu Petrescu, Yao Wu, Ying Li, Xin Li, Likui Wang and Gang Shi

Nanomaterials 2023, 13(8), 1301; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13081301 - 7 Apr 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1386

Abstract

In conventional photo-thermal-electric conversion systems, the photo-thermal conversion module is coupled to a thermoelectric conversion module. However, the physical contact interface between the modules causes serious energy loss. In order to solve this problem, a novel photo-thermal-electric conversion system with an integrated support [...] Read more.

In conventional photo-thermal-electric conversion systems, the photo-thermal conversion module is coupled to a thermoelectric conversion module. However, the physical contact interface between the modules causes serious energy loss. In order to solve this problem, a novel photo-thermal-electric conversion system with an integrated support material has been developed, with a photo-thermal conversion component at the top, an inside thermoelectric conversion component, and a cooling component at the bottom, surrounded by a water conduction component. The supporting materials of each part are polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), and there is no apparent physical interface between each part. This integrated support material reduces the heat loss caused by the mechanically coupled interfaces in traditional components. In addition, the confined edge 2D water transport path effectively reduces the heat loss due to water convection. Under 1 sun irradiation, the water evaporation rate and open-circuit voltage of the integrated system reach 2.46 kg m⁻² h⁻¹ and 30 mV, respectively, and are nearly 1.4 times and 5.8 times higher than those of non-integrated systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanostructured Materials for Energy Applications)

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17 pages, 4301 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fabrication of Flexible Poly(m-aminophenol)/Vanadium Pentoxide/Graphene Ternary Nanocomposite Film as a Positive Electrode for Solid-State Asymmetric Supercapacitors

by SK Safdar Hossain, Baban Dey, Syed Sadiq Ali and Arup Choudhury

Nanomaterials 2023, 13(4), 642; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13040642 - 6 Feb 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2106

Abstract

In this study, poly(m-aminophenol) (PmAP) has been investigated as a multi-functional conductive supercapacitor binder to replace the conventional non-conductive binder, namely, poly(vinylene difluoride) (PVDF). The kye benefits of using PmAP are that it is easily soluble in common organic solvent and [...] Read more.

In this study, poly(m-aminophenol) (PmAP) has been investigated as a multi-functional conductive supercapacitor binder to replace the conventional non-conductive binder, namely, poly(vinylene difluoride) (PVDF). The kye benefits of using PmAP are that it is easily soluble in common organic solvent and has good film-forming properties, and also its chemical functionalities can be involved in pseudocapacitive reactions to boost the capacitance performance of the electrode. A new ternary nanocomposite film based on vanadium pentoxide (V₂O₅), amino-functionalized graphene (amino-FG) and PmAP was fabricated via hydrothermal growth of V₂O₅ nanoparticles on graphene surfaces and then blending with PmAP/DMSO and solution casting. The electrochemical performances of V₂O₅/amino-FG/PmAP nanocomposite were evaluated in two different electrolytes, such as KCl and Li₂SO₄, and compared with those of V₂O₅/amino-FG nanocomposite with PVDF binder. The cyclic voltametric (CV) results of the V₂O₅/amino-FG/PmAP nanocomposite exhibited strong pseudocapacitive responses from the V₂O₅ and PmAP phases, while the faradaic redox reactions on the V₂O₅/amino-FG/PVDF electrode were suppressed by the inferior conductivity of the PVDF. The V₂O₅/amino-FG/PmAP electrode delivered a 5-fold greater specific capacitance than the V₂O₅/amino-FG/PVDF electrode. Solid-state asymmetric supercapacitors (ASCs) were assembled with V₂O₅/amino-FG/PmAP film as a positive electrode, and their electrochemical properties were examined in both KCl and Li₂SO₄ electrolytes. Although the KCl electrolyte-based ASC has greater specific capacitance, the Li₂SO₄ electrolyte-based ASC delivers a higher energy density of 51.6 Wh/kg and superior cycling stability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanostructured Materials for Energy Applications)

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12 pages, 4161 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Characterization of Magnetron Sputtered BiTe-Based Thermoelectric Thin Films

by Zhenxue Zhang, Mikdat Gurtaran, Xiaoying Li, Hio-Ieng Un, Yi Qin and Hanshan Dong

Nanomaterials 2023, 13(1), 208; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13010208 - 3 Jan 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2395

Abstract

Thermoelectric (TE) technology attracts much attention due to the fact it can convert thermal energy into electricity and vice versa. Thin-film TE materials can be synthesized on different kinds of substrates, which offer the possibility of the control of microstructure and composition to [...] Read more.

Thermoelectric (TE) technology attracts much attention due to the fact it can convert thermal energy into electricity and vice versa. Thin-film TE materials can be synthesized on different kinds of substrates, which offer the possibility of the control of microstructure and composition to higher TE power, as well as the development of novel TE devices meeting flexible and miniature requirements. In this work, we use magnetron sputtering to deposit N-type and P-type BiTe-based thin films on silicon, glass, and Kapton HN polyimide foil. Their morphology, microstructure, and phase constituents are studied by SEM/EDX, XRD, and TEM. The electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, and Seebeck coefficient of the thin film are measured by a special in-plane advanced test system. The output of electrical power (open-circuit voltage and electric current) of the thin film is measured by an in-house apparatus at different temperature gradient. The impact of deposition parameters and the thickness, width, and length of the thin film on the power output are also investigated for optimizing the thin-film flexible TE device to harvest thermal energy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanostructured Materials for Energy Applications)

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14 pages, 3573 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fabrication of Li-Doped NiO Thin Films by Ultrasonic Spray Pyrolysis and Its Application in Light-Emitting Diodes

by Víctor Hugo López-Lugo, Manuel García-Hipólito, Arturo Rodríguez-Gómez and Juan Carlos Alonso-Huitrón

Nanomaterials 2023, 13(1), 197; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13010197 - 1 Jan 2023

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3057

Abstract

The fabrication of NiO films by different routes is important to extend and improve their applications as hole-transporting layers in organic and inorganic optoelectronic devices. Here, an automated ultrasonic pyrolysis spray method was used to fabricate NiO and Li-doped NiO thin films using [...] Read more.

The fabrication of NiO films by different routes is important to extend and improve their applications as hole-transporting layers in organic and inorganic optoelectronic devices. Here, an automated ultrasonic pyrolysis spray method was used to fabricate NiO and Li-doped NiO thin films using nickel acetylacetonate and lithium acetate dihydrate as metal precursor and dimethylformamide as solvent. The effect of the amount of lithium in the precursor solution on the structural, morphological, optical, and electrical properties were studied. XRD results reveal that all the samples are polycrystalline with cubic structure and crystallite sizes in the range of 21 to 25 nm, without any clear trend with the Li doping level. AFM analysis shows that the crystallites form round-shaped aggregates and all the films have low roughness. The optical transmittance of the films reaches values of 60% to 77% with tendency upward as Li content is increased. The electrical study shows that the films are p-type, with the carrier concentration, resistivity, and carrier mobility depending on the lithium doping. NiO:Li (10%) films were successfully incorporated into inorganic light emitting diodes together with Mn-doped ZnS and ZnO:Al films, all deposited on ITO by the same ultrasonic spray pyrolysis technique. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanostructured Materials for Energy Applications)

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13 pages, 2601 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Remarkable Single Atom Catalyst of Transition Metal (Fe, Co & Ni) Doped on C₂N Surface for Hydrogen Dissociation Reaction

by Ahmed Bilal Shah, Sehrish Sarfaraz, Muhammad Yar, Nadeem S. Sheikh, Hassan H. Hammud and Khurshid Ayub

Nanomaterials 2023, 13(1), 29; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13010029 - 21 Dec 2022

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 2258

Abstract

Currently, hydrogen is recognized as the best alternative for fossil fuels because of its sustainable nature and environmentally friendly processing. In this study, hydrogen dissociation reaction is studied theoretically on the transition metal doped carbon nitride (C₂N) surface through single atom [...] Read more.

Currently, hydrogen is recognized as the best alternative for fossil fuels because of its sustainable nature and environmentally friendly processing. In this study, hydrogen dissociation reaction is studied theoretically on the transition metal doped carbon nitride (C₂N) surface through single atom catalysis. Each TMs@C₂N complex is evaluated to obtain the most stable spin state for catalytic reaction. In addition, electronic properties (natural bond orbital NBO & frontier molecular orbital FMO) of the most stable spin state complex are further explored. During dissociation, hydrogen is primarily adsorbed on metal doped C₂N surface and then dissociated heterolytically between metal and nitrogen atom of C₂N surface. Results revealed that theFe@C₂N surface is the most suitable catalyst for H₂ dissociation reaction with activation barrier of 0.36 eV compared with Ni@C₂N (0.40 eV) and Co@C₂N (0.45 eV) complexes. The activation barrier for H₂ dissociation reaction is quite low in case of Fe@C₂N surface, which is comparatively better than already reported noble metal catalysts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanostructured Materials for Energy Applications)

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9 pages, 2534 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fabrication of UV-Stable Perovskite Solar Cells with Compact Fe₂O₃ Electron Transport Layer by FeCl₃ Solution and Fe₃O₄ Nanoparticles

by Bangkai Gu, Yi Du, Song Fang, Xi Chen, Xiabing Li, Qingyu Xu and Hao Lu

Nanomaterials 2022, 12(24), 4415; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12244415 - 10 Dec 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1802

Abstract

Even though Fe₂O₃ is reported as the electron-transporting layer (ETL) in perovskite solar cells (PSCs), its fabrication and defects limit its performance. Herein, we report a Fe₂O₃ ETL prepared from FeCl₃ solution with a dopant Fe [...] Read more.

Even though Fe₂O₃ is reported as the electron-transporting layer (ETL) in perovskite solar cells (PSCs), its fabrication and defects limit its performance. Herein, we report a Fe₂O₃ ETL prepared from FeCl₃ solution with a dopant Fe₃O₄ nanoparticle modification. It is found that the mixed solution can reduce the defects and enhance the performance of Fe₂O₃ ETL, contributing to improved electron transfer and suppressed charge recombination. Consequently, the best efficiency is improved by more than 118% for the optimized device. The stability efficiency of the Fe₂O₃-ETL-based device is nearly 200% higher than that of the TiO₂-ETL-based device after 7 days measurement under a 300 W Xe lamp. This work provides a facile method to fabricate environmentally friendly, high-quality Fe₂O₃ ETL for perovskite photovoltaic devices and provides a guide for defect passivation research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanostructured Materials for Energy Applications)

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13 pages, 3653 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Dual-Scale Textured Broadband Si-Based Light Absorber

by Zhidong Wen, Shunshuo Cai, Zhe Zhang, Ziye Xu, Qi Song, Kunpeng Zhang, Man Li, Haiyan Shi, Yu Hou and Zichen Zhang

Nanomaterials 2022, 12(23), 4285; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12234285 - 1 Dec 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1508

Abstract

Various antireflective structures and methods are proposed to solve the optical loss of Si-based absorber devices. Dual-scale structures have received more concern from researchers in recent years. In this study, the finite difference time domain (FDTD) method is employed to investigate deeply the [...] Read more.

Various antireflective structures and methods are proposed to solve the optical loss of Si-based absorber devices. Dual-scale structures have received more concern from researchers in recent years. In this study, the finite difference time domain (FDTD) method is employed to investigate deeply the dependence of optical response on the geometric shape and size of structures. The micron cone shows lower reflectivity than other micron structures. Additionally, the lowest reflectivity region moves with the increasing height size of the cone structure. We proposed creatively a nanoripple-cone structure that maintains low reflectivity properties under varying incident angles whether in the visible region or the near-infrared region. Furthermore, the lower reflectivity is obtained with increasing micron cone and decreasing nanoripple. Finally, the dual-scale nanoripple-cone is fabricated directly and cost-effectively by a femtosecond laser instead of a two-step texture-on-texture way. The measured result shows that the high absorption above 98% extends to the mid-infrared region. This study provides directions for the fabrication of wideband Si-based absorber devices to reduce reflectivity, which exhibits a wide application potential and promotes the evolution of multi-laser processing. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanostructured Materials for Energy Applications)

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9 pages, 5183 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Bioinspired Ag Nanoparticle/PPy Nanobowl/TiO₂ Micropyramid SERS Substrate

by Xin Li, Florian Ion Tiberiu Petrescu, Qupei Danzeng, Haiyan Zhu, Ying Li and Gang Shi

Nanomaterials 2022, 12(22), 4104; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12224104 - 21 Nov 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1624

Abstract

In this paper, the micropyramid structure was transferred to the TiO₂ substrate by soft imprinting. Then, the PPy nanobowls were assembled onto the surface of the TiO₂ micropyramids through the induction of the PS template. Finally, a layer of Ag nanoparticles [...] Read more.

In this paper, the micropyramid structure was transferred to the TiO₂ substrate by soft imprinting. Then, the PPy nanobowls were assembled onto the surface of the TiO₂ micropyramids through the induction of the PS template. Finally, a layer of Ag nanoparticles was deposited on the surface of PPy nanobowls to form a novel Ag nanoparticle/PPy nanobowl/TiO₂ micropyramid SERS substrate. Its structure is similar to the bioinspired compound eyes. This substrate exhibited excellent antireflection, ultra-sensitivity, excellent uniformity, and recyclability. The concentration of R6G molecules can be detected as low as 10⁻⁹ mol/L, and the Raman enhancement factor can reach 3.4 × 10⁵. In addition, the excellent catalytic degradation performance of the substrate ensures recyclability. This work proves that the micropyramid structure can be applied to other SERS materials besides silicon by the above methods, which broadens the selection range of composite SERS materials. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanostructured Materials for Energy Applications)

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16 pages, 3812 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Polypyrrole-Assisted Ag Doping Strategy to Boost Co(OH)₂ Nanosheets on Ni Foam as a Novel Electrode for High-Performance Hybrid Supercapacitors

by Hammad Mueen Arbi, Anuja A. Yadav, Yedluri Anil Kumar, Md Moniruzzaman, Salem Alzahmi and Ihab M. Obaidat

Nanomaterials 2022, 12(22), 3982; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12223982 - 11 Nov 2022

Cited by 30 | Viewed by 2589 | Correction

Abstract

Battery-type electrode materials have attracted much attention as efficient and unique types of materials for hybrid battery supercapacitors due to their multiple redox states and excellent electrical conductivity. Designing composites with high chemical and electrochemical stabilities is beneficial for improving the energy storage [...] Read more.

Battery-type electrode materials have attracted much attention as efficient and unique types of materials for hybrid battery supercapacitors due to their multiple redox states and excellent electrical conductivity. Designing composites with high chemical and electrochemical stabilities is beneficial for improving the energy storage capability of battery-type electrode materials. We report on an interfacial engineering strategy to improve the energy storage performance of a Co(OH)₂-based battery-type material by constructing polypyrrole-assisted and Ag-doped (Ag-doped@Co(OH)₂@polypyrrole) nanosheets (NSs) on a Ni foam using a hydrothermal process that provides richer electroactive sites, efficient charge transportation, and an excellent mechanical stability. Physical characterization results revealed that the subsequent decoration of Ag nanoparticles on Co(OH)₂ nanoparticles offered an efficient electrical conductivity as well as a reduced interface adsorption energy of OH^- in Co(OH)₂ nanoparticles as compared to Co(OH)₂@polypyrrole-assisted nanoparticles without Ag particles. The heterogeneous interface of the Ag-doped@Co(OH)₂@polypyrrole composite exhibited a high specific capacity of 291.2 mAh g⁻¹ at a current density of 2 A g⁻¹, and showed a good cycling stability after 5000 cycles at 5 A g⁻¹. The specific capacity of the doped electrode was enhanced approximately two-fold compared to that of the pure electrode. Thus, the fabricated Ag-doped@Co(OH)₂@polypyrrole nanostructured electrodes can be a potential candidate for fabricating low-cost and high-performance energy storage supercapacitor devices. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanostructured Materials for Energy Applications)

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11 pages, 517 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Electrical Conductive Properties of 3D-Printed Concrete Composite with Carbon Nanofibers

by Guido Goracci, David M. Salgado, Juan J. Gaitero and Jorge S. Dolado

Nanomaterials 2022, 12(22), 3939; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12223939 - 8 Nov 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1840

Abstract

Electrical conductive properties in cement-based materials have received attention in recent years due to their key role in many innovative application (i.e., energy harvesting, deicing systems, electromagnetic shielding, and self-health monitoring). In this work, we explore the use 3D printing as an alternative [...] Read more.

Electrical conductive properties in cement-based materials have received attention in recent years due to their key role in many innovative application (i.e., energy harvesting, deicing systems, electromagnetic shielding, and self-health monitoring). In this work, we explore the use 3D printing as an alternative method for the preparation of electrical conductive concretes. With this aim, the conductive performance of cement composites with carbon nanofibers (0, 1, 2.5, and 4 wt%) was explored by means of a combination of thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and dielectric spectroscopy (DS) and compared with that of specimens prepared with the traditional mold method. The combination of TGA and DS gave us a unique insight into the electrical conductive properties, measuring the specimens’ performance while monitoring the amount in water confined in the porous network. Experimental evidence of an additional contribution to the electrical conductivity due to sample preparation is provided. In particular, in this work, a strong correlation between water molecules in interconnected pores and the

σ (ω)

values is shown, originating, mainly, from the use of the 3D printing technique. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanostructured Materials for Energy Applications)

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19 pages, 6533 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Enhanced Electrochemical Performances of Mn₃O₄/Heteroatom-Doped Reduced Graphene Oxide Aerogels as an Anode for Sodium-Ion Batteries

by Nor Fazila Mahamad Yusoff, Nurul Hayati Idris, Muhamad Faiz Md Din, Siti Rohana Majid and Noor Aniza Harun

Nanomaterials 2022, 12(20), 3569; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12203569 - 12 Oct 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1874

Abstract

Owing to their high theoretical capacity, transition-metal oxides have received a considerable amount of attention as potential anode materials in sodium-ion (Na-ion) batteries. Among them, Mn₃O₄ has gained interest due to the low cost of raw materials and the environmental [...] Read more.

Owing to their high theoretical capacity, transition-metal oxides have received a considerable amount of attention as potential anode materials in sodium-ion (Na-ion) batteries. Among them, Mn₃O₄ has gained interest due to the low cost of raw materials and the environmental compatibility. However, during the insertion/de-insertion process, Mn₃O₄ suffers from particle aggregation, poor conductivity, and low-rate capability, which, in turn, limits its practical application. To overcome these obstacles, we have successfully prepared Mn₃O₄ nanoparticles distributed on the nitrogen (N)-doped and nitrogen, sulphur (N,S)-doped reduced graphene oxide (rGO) aerogels, respectively. The highly crystalline Mn₃O₄ nanoparticles, with an average size of 15–20 nm, are homogeneously dispersed on both sides of the N-rGO and N,S-rGO aerogels. The results indicate that the N-rGO and N,S-rGO aerogels could provide an efficient ion transport channel for electrolyte ion stability in the Mn₃O₄ electrode. The Mn₃O₄/N- and Mn₃O₄/N,S-doped rGO aerogels exhibit outstanding electrochemical performances, with a reversible specific capacity of 374 and 281 mAh g⁻¹, respectively, after 100 cycles, with Coulombic efficiency of almost 99%. The interconnected structure of heteroatom-doped rGO with Mn₃O₄ nanoparticles is believed to facilitate fast ion diffusion and electron transfer by lowering the energy barrier, which favours the complete utilisation of the active material and improvement of the structure’s stability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanostructured Materials for Energy Applications)

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15 pages, 5321 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Ultra-Broadband, Omnidirectional, High-Efficiency Metamaterial Absorber for Capturing Solar Energy

by Jing-Hao Wu, Yan-Long Meng, Yang Li, Yi Li, Yan-Song Li, Gui-Ming Pan, Juan Kang, Chun-Lian Zhan, Han Gao, Bo Hu and Shang-Zhong Jin

Nanomaterials 2022, 12(19), 3515; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12193515 - 8 Oct 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1843

Abstract

In this study, we investigated an absorber based on a center-aligned tandem nanopillar array for ultra-broadband solar energy harvesting theoretically. A high-efficiency, omnidirectional absorber was obtained by introducing the center-aligned tandem nanopillar array embedded in an Al₂O₃ dielectric layer. The [...] Read more.

In this study, we investigated an absorber based on a center-aligned tandem nanopillar array for ultra-broadband solar energy harvesting theoretically. A high-efficiency, omnidirectional absorber was obtained by introducing the center-aligned tandem nanopillar array embedded in an Al₂O₃ dielectric layer. The multi-coupling modes at different wavelengths were interpreted. The strong absorption can be adjusted by changing the radii and heights of nanopillars. According to the simulation results, the average absorptance of the absorber exceeded 94% in the wavelength range from 300 nm to 2000 nm. In addition, the high-efficiency absorption was insensitive to the incident angle and polarization state. The research not only proposed an absorber which possesses a huge potential value for application areas, such as thermal photovoltaic systems, infrared detection, and isotropic absorption sensors, but also pointed out a new way to design an absorber with high efficiency in an ultrabroad wavelength range. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanostructured Materials for Energy Applications)

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17 pages, 2539 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Deep Learning Models for Predicting Gas Adsorption Capacity of Nanomaterials

by Wenjing Guo, Jie Liu, Fan Dong, Ru Chen, Jayanti Das, Weigong Ge, Xiaoming Xu and Huixiao Hong

Nanomaterials 2022, 12(19), 3376; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12193376 - 27 Sep 2022

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 3054

Abstract

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), a class of porous nanomaterials, have been widely used in gas adsorption-based applications due to their high porosities and chemical tunability. To facilitate the discovery of high-performance MOFs for different applications, a variety of machine learning models have been developed [...] Read more.

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), a class of porous nanomaterials, have been widely used in gas adsorption-based applications due to their high porosities and chemical tunability. To facilitate the discovery of high-performance MOFs for different applications, a variety of machine learning models have been developed to predict the gas adsorption capacities of MOFs. Most of the predictive models are developed using traditional machine learning algorithms. However, the continuously increasing sizes of MOF datasets and the complicated relationships between MOFs and their gas adsorption capacities make deep learning a suitable candidate to handle such big data with increased computational power and accuracy. In this study, we developed models for predicting gas adsorption capacities of MOFs using two deep learning algorithms, multilayer perceptron (MLP) and long short-term memory (LSTM) networks, with a hypothetical set of about 130,000 structures of MOFs with methane and carbon dioxide adsorption data at different pressures. The models were evaluated using 10 iterations of 10-fold cross validations and 100 holdout validations. The MLP and LSTM models performed similarly with high prediction accuracy. The models for predicting gas adsorption at a higher pressure outperformed the models for predicting gas adsorption at a lower pressure. The deep learning models are more accurate than the random forest models reported in the literature, especially for predicting gas adsorption capacities at low pressures. Our results demonstrated that deep learning algorithms have a great potential to generate models that can accurately predict the gas adsorption capacities of MOFs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanostructured Materials for Energy Applications)

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12 pages, 2169 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Nanocomposite-Enhanced Efficient Evaporation System for Solar-Driven Seawater Desalination—An Optimized Design for Clean Water Production

by Zhou Wei, Muhammad Sultan Irshad, Naila Arshad, Laila Noureen, Iftikhar Ahmed, Naveed Mushtaq, Muhammad Sohail Asghar, Qaisar Hayat, Uzma Ghazanfar, Muhammad Idrees, Naeem Shahzad and Yuzheng Lu

Nanomaterials 2022, 12(19), 3296; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12193296 - 22 Sep 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3548

Abstract

Solar-driven evaporation is a promising technology for desalinating seawater and wastewater without mechanical or electrical energy. The approaches to obtaining fresh water with higher evaporation efficiency are essential to address the water-scarcity issue in remote sensing areas. Herein, we report a highly efficient [...] Read more.

Solar-driven evaporation is a promising technology for desalinating seawater and wastewater without mechanical or electrical energy. The approaches to obtaining fresh water with higher evaporation efficiency are essential to address the water-scarcity issue in remote sensing areas. Herein, we report a highly efficient solar evaporator derived from the nanocomposite of anatase TiO₂/activated carbon (TiO₂/AC), which was coated on washable cotton fabric using the dip-dry technique for solar water evaporation. The ultra-black fabric offers enhanced solar absorption (93.03%), hydrophilic water transport, and an efficient evaporation rate of 1.65 kg/m²h under 1 kW m⁻² or one sun solar intensity. More importantly, the sideways water channels and centralized thermal insulation of the designed TiO₂/AC solar evaporator accumulated photothermal heat at the liquid and air interface along with an enhanced surface temperature of 40.98 °C under one sun. The fabricated solar evaporator desalinated seawater (3.5 wt%) without affecting the evaporation rates, and the collected condensed water met the standard of drinking water set by the World Health Organization (WHO). This approach eventually enabled the engineering design groups to develop the technology pathways as well as optimum conditions for low-cost, scalable, efficient, and sustainable solar-driven steam generators to cope with global water scarcity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanostructured Materials for Energy Applications)

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15 pages, 4072 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Ultrahigh Energy and Power Densities of d-MXene-Based Symmetric Supercapacitors

by Beenish Mustafa, Wengang Lu, Zhiyuan Wang, Fuzhuo Lian, Andy Shen, Bing Yang, Jun Yuan, Chang Wu, Yangbowen Liu, Weiwei Hu, Lei Wang and Geliang Yu

Nanomaterials 2022, 12(19), 3294; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12193294 - 22 Sep 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2814

Abstract

Here, rational design electrodes are fabricated by mixing MXene with an aqueous solution of chloroauric acid (HAuCl₄). In order to prevent MXene from self-restacking, the groups of -OH on the surface of Ti₃C₂T_x nanosheets underwent a [...] Read more.

Here, rational design electrodes are fabricated by mixing MXene with an aqueous solution of chloroauric acid (HAuCl₄). In order to prevent MXene from self-restacking, the groups of -OH on the surface of Ti₃C₂T_x nanosheets underwent a one-step simultaneous self-reduction from AuCl₄-, generating spaces for rapid ion transit. Additionally, by using this procedure, MXene’s surface oxidation can be decreased while preserving its physio-chemical properties. The interlayered MX/Au NPs that have been obtained are combined into a conducting network structure that offers more active electrochemical sites and improved mass transfer at the electrode–electrolyte interface, both of which promote quick electron transfer during electrochemical reactions and excellent structural durability. The Ti₃C₂T_x-AuNPs film thus demonstrated a rate performance that was preferable to that of pure Ti₃C₂T_x film. According to the results of the characterization, the AuNPs effectively adorn the MXene nanosheets. Due to the renowned pseudocapacitance charge storage mechanism, MXene-based electrode materials also work well as supercapacitors in sulfuric acid, which is why MXene AuNPs electrodes have been tested in 3 M and 1 M H₂SO₄. The symmetric supercapacitors made of MXene and AuNPs have shown exceptional specific capacitance of 696.67 Fg⁻¹ at 5 mVs⁻¹ in 3 M H₂SO₄ electrolyte, and they can sustain 90% of their original capacitance for 5000 cycles. The highest energy and power density of this device, which operates within a 1.2 V potential window, are 138.4 Wh kg⁻¹ and 2076 W kg⁻¹, respectively. These findings offer a productive method for creating high-performance metal oxide-based symmetric capacitors and a straightforward, workable approach for improving MXene-based electrode designs, which can be applied to other electro-chemical systems that are ion transport-restricted, such as metal ion batteries and catalysis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanostructured Materials for Energy Applications)

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15 pages, 5930 KiB

Open AccessArticle

2D MHD Mixed Convection in a Zigzag Trapezoidal Thermal Energy Storage System Using NEPCM

by Aissa Abderrahmane, Obai Younis, Mohammad Al-Khaleel, Houssem Laidoudi, Nevzat Akkurt, Kamel Guedri and Riadh Marzouki

Nanomaterials 2022, 12(19), 3270; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12193270 - 20 Sep 2022

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 2070

Abstract

In a magnetic field, two-dimensional (2D) mixed convection is investigated within a zigzagged trapezoidal chamber. The lower side of the trapezoidal chamber is irregular, in particular, a zigzagged wall with different zigzag numbers N. The fluid particles move in the room due to [...] Read more.

In a magnetic field, two-dimensional (2D) mixed convection is investigated within a zigzagged trapezoidal chamber. The lower side of the trapezoidal chamber is irregular, in particular, a zigzagged wall with different zigzag numbers N. The fluid particles move in the room due to the motion of the upper wall, while the porosity-enthalpy approach represents the melting process. The thermal parameters of the fluid are enhanced by what is called a nano-encapsulated phase change material (NEPCM) consisting of polyurethane as the shell and a nonadecane as the core, while water is used as the base fluid. In order to treat the governing equations, the well-known Galerkin finite element method (GFEM) is applied. In addition, the heat transfer (HT) irreversibility and the fluid friction (FF) irreversibility are compared in terms of the average Bejan number. The main results show that the melt band curve behaves parabolically at smaller values of Reynolds number (Re) and larger values of Hartmann number (Ha). Moreover, minimizing the wave number is better in order to obtain a higher heat transfer rate. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanostructured Materials for Energy Applications)

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13 pages, 5584 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Interfacial Photothermal Heat Accumulation for Simultaneous Salt Rejection and Freshwater Generation; an Efficient Solar Energy Harvester

by Zhou Wei, Naila Arshad, Chen Hui, Muhammad Sultan Irshad, Naveed Mushtaq, Shahid Hussain, Matiullah Shah, Syed Zohaib Hassan Naqvi, Muhammad Rizwan, Naeem Shahzad, Hongrong Li, Yuzheng Lu and Xianbao Wang

Nanomaterials 2022, 12(18), 3206; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12183206 - 15 Sep 2022

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3407

Abstract

Water scarcity has emerged as an intense global threat to humanity and needs prompt attention from the scientific community. Solar-driven interfacial evaporation and seawater desalination are promising strategies to resolve the primitive water shortage issue using renewable resources. However, the fragile solar thermal [...] Read more.

Water scarcity has emerged as an intense global threat to humanity and needs prompt attention from the scientific community. Solar-driven interfacial evaporation and seawater desalination are promising strategies to resolve the primitive water shortage issue using renewable resources. However, the fragile solar thermal devices, complex fabricating techniques, and high cost greatly hinder extensive solar energy utilization in remote locations. Herein, we report the facile fabrication of a cost-effective solar-driven interfacial evaporator and seawater desalination system composed of carbon cloth (CC)-wrapped polyurethane foam (CC@PU). The developed solar evaporator had outstanding photo-thermal conversion efficiency (90%) with a high evaporation rate (1.71 kg m⁻² h⁻¹). The interfacial layer of black CC induced multiple incident rays on the surface allowing the excellent solar absorption (92%) and intensifying heat localization (67.37 °C) under 1 kW m⁻² with spatially defined hydrophilicity to facilitate the easy vapor escape and validate the efficacious evaporation structure using extensive solar energy exploitation for practical application. More importantly, the long-term evaporation experiments with minimum discrepancy under seawater conditions endowed excellent mass change (15.24 kg m⁻² in consecutive 8 h under 1 kW m⁻² solar irradiations) and promoted its operational sustainability for multi-media rejection and self-dissolving potential (3.5 g NaCl rejected from CC@PU surface in 210 min). Hence, the low-cost and facile fabrication of CC@PU-based interfacial evaporation structure showcases the potential for enhanced solar-driven interfacial heat accumulation for freshwater production with simultaneous salt rejection. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanostructured Materials for Energy Applications)

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23 pages, 2157 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Multi-Junction Solar Cells and Nanoantennas

by João P. De Melo Cunha, Ricardo A. Marques Lameirinhas and João Paulo N. Torres

Nanomaterials 2022, 12(18), 3173; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12183173 - 13 Sep 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1762

Abstract

Photovoltaic technology is currently at the heart of the energy transition in our pursuit to lean off fossil-fuel-based energy sources. Understanding the workings and trends of the technology is crucial, given the reality. With most conventional PV cells constrained by the Shockley–Queisser limit, [...] Read more.

Photovoltaic technology is currently at the heart of the energy transition in our pursuit to lean off fossil-fuel-based energy sources. Understanding the workings and trends of the technology is crucial, given the reality. With most conventional PV cells constrained by the Shockley–Queisser limit, new alternatives have been developed to surpass it. One of such variations are heterojunction cells, which, by combining different semiconductor materials, break free from the previous constraint, leveraging the advantages of both compounds. A subset of these cells are multi-junction cells, in their various configurations. These build upon the heterojunction concept, combining several junctions in a cell—a strategy that has placed them as the champions in terms of conversion efficiency. With the aim of modelling a multi-junction cell, several optic and optoelectronic models were developed using a Finite Element Tool. Following this, a study was conducted on the exciting and promising technology that are nanoantenna arrays, with the final goal of integrating both technologies. This research work aims to study the impact of the nanoantennas’ inclusion in an absorbing layer. It is concluded that, using nanoantennas, it is possible to concentrate electromagnetic radiation near their interfaces. The field’s profiles might be tuned using the nanoantennas’ geometrical parameters, which may lead to an increase in the obtained current. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanostructured Materials for Energy Applications)

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10 pages, 3528 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Novel Bio-Inspired Ag/3D-TiO₂/Si SERS Substrate with Ordered Moth-like Structure

by Jingguo Yang, Florian Ion Tiberiu Petrescu, Ying Li, Dandan Song and Gang Shi

Nanomaterials 2022, 12(18), 3127; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12183127 - 9 Sep 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2126

Abstract

This paper reports a novel method to fabricate a bio-inspired SERS substrate with low reflectivity, ultra-sensitivity, excellent uniformity, and recyclability. First, double layers of polystyrene spheres with different particle sizes were assembled on the surface of a silicon wafer to act as a [...] Read more.

This paper reports a novel method to fabricate a bio-inspired SERS substrate with low reflectivity, ultra-sensitivity, excellent uniformity, and recyclability. First, double layers of polystyrene spheres with different particle sizes were assembled on the surface of a silicon wafer to act as a moth-like template. Second, through the template sacrifice method, the TiO₂ film with a three-dimensional moth-like eye structure was induced by the double-layer polystyrene spheres in the previous step, and its microscopic morphology showed a high degree of order. Finally, Ag nanoparticles were assembled on the TiO₂ film to form a bio-inspired SERS substrate. This ordered bio-inspired structure can not only reduce reflection, but also reinforce the uniformity of hotspot density, which helps to improve the sensitivity and uniformity of the Raman signal. This bio-inspired SERS substrate can detect R6G molecules at a concentration as low as 1.0 × 10⁻¹⁰ mol/L, and its enhancement factor (EF) can reach 6.56 × 10⁶. In addition, the composite of Ag and TiO₂ can realize the photocatalytic degradation of R6G and then realize the recyclability of the SERS substrate. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanostructured Materials for Energy Applications)

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9 pages, 2207 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Surface Chelation Enabled by Polymer-Doping for Self-Healable Perovskite Solar Cells

by Kuiyuan Zhang, Xiangrong Shi, Guangyu Wu and Yudong Huang

Nanomaterials 2022, 12(18), 3125; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12183125 - 9 Sep 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1911

Abstract

Polymer doping is an efficient approach to achieve self-healing perovskite solar cells. However, achieving high self-healing efficiency under moderate conditions remains challenging. Herein, an innovative self-healable polysiloxane (PAT) containing plenty of thiourea hydrogen bonds was designed and introduced into perovskite films. Abundant thiourea [...] Read more.

Polymer doping is an efficient approach to achieve self-healing perovskite solar cells. However, achieving high self-healing efficiency under moderate conditions remains challenging. Herein, an innovative self-healable polysiloxane (PAT) containing plenty of thiourea hydrogen bonds was designed and introduced into perovskite films. Abundant thiourea hydrogen bonds in PAT facilitated the self-healing of cracks at grain boundaries for damaged SPSCs. Importantly, the doped SPSCs demonstrated a champion efficiency of 19.58% with little hysteresis, almost rivalling those achieved in control atmosphere. Additionally, owing to the effective chelation by PAT and good level of thiourea hydrogen bonds, after 800 cycles of stretching, releasing and self-healing, the doped SPSCs retained 85% of their original IPCE. The self-healing characteristics were demonstrated in situ after stretching at 20% strain for 200 cycles. This strategy of pyridine-based supramolecular doping in SPSCs paves a promising way for achieving efficient and self-healable crystalline semiconductors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanostructured Materials for Energy Applications)

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11 pages, 4286 KiB

Open AccessArticle

CuCo₂S₄ Nanoparticles Embedded in Carbon Nanotube Networks as Sulfur Hosts for High Performance Lithium-Sulfur Batteries

by Hongying Wang, Yanli Song, Yanming Zhao, Yan Zhao and Zhifeng Wang

Nanomaterials 2022, 12(18), 3104; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12183104 - 7 Sep 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2078

Abstract

Rational design of sulfur hosts for lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries is essential to address the shuttle effect and accelerate reaction kinetics. Herein, the composites of bimetallic sulfide CuCo₂S₄ loaded on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are prepared by hydrothermal method. By regulating the [...] Read more.

Rational design of sulfur hosts for lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries is essential to address the shuttle effect and accelerate reaction kinetics. Herein, the composites of bimetallic sulfide CuCo₂S₄ loaded on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are prepared by hydrothermal method. By regulating the loading of CuCo₂S₄ nanoparticles, it is found that when Cu²⁺ and CNT are prepared in a 10:1 ratio, the CuCo₂S₄ nanoparticles loaded on the CNT are relatively uniformly distributed, avoiding the occurrence of agglomeration, which improves the electrical conductivity and number of active sites. Through a series of electrochemical performance tests, the S/CuCo₂S₄-1/CNT presents a discharge specific capacity of 1021 mAh g⁻¹ at 0.2 C after 100 cycles, showing good cycling stability. Even at 1 C, the S/CuCo₂S₄-1/CNT cathode delivers a discharge capacity of 627 mAh g⁻¹ after 500 cycles. This study offers a promising strategy for the design of bimetallic sulfide-based sulfur hosts in Li-S batteries. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanostructured Materials for Energy Applications)

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18 pages, 6646 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Enhancing the Melting Process of Shell-and-Tube PCM Thermal Energy Storage Unit Using Modified Tube Design

by Aissa Abderrahmane, Naef A. A. Qasem, Abed Mourad, Mohammad Al-Khaleel, Zafar Said, Kamel Guedri, Obai Younis and Riadh Marzouki

Nanomaterials 2022, 12(17), 3078; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12173078 - 5 Sep 2022

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 2338

Abstract

Recently, phase change materials (PCMs) have gained great attention from engineers and researchers due to their exceptional properties for thermal energy storing, which would effectively aid in reducing carbon footprint and support the global transition of using renewable energy. The current research attempts [...] Read more.

Recently, phase change materials (PCMs) have gained great attention from engineers and researchers due to their exceptional properties for thermal energy storing, which would effectively aid in reducing carbon footprint and support the global transition of using renewable energy. The current research attempts to enhance the thermal performance of a shell-and-tube heat exchanger by means of using PCM and a modified tube design. The enthalpy–porosity method is employed for modelling the phase change. Paraffin wax is treated as PCM and poured within the annulus; the annulus comprises a circular shell and a fined wavy (trefoil-shaped) tube. In addition, copper nanoparticles are incorporated with the base PCM to enhance the thermal conductivity and melting rate. Effects of many factors, including nanoparticle concentration, the orientation of the interior wavy tube, and the fin length, were examined. Results obtained from the current model imply that Cu nanoparticles added to PCM materials improve thermal and melting properties while reducing entropy formation. The highest results (27% decrease in melting time) are obtained when a concentration of nanoparticles of 8% is used. Additionally, the fins’ location is critical because fins with 45° inclination could achieve a 50% expedition in the melting process. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanostructured Materials for Energy Applications)

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7 pages, 2063 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Excimer Laser-Deposited Na_2/3Ni_1/4Mn_3/4O₂ Film Cathode for Stable Sodium-Ion Battery

by Bailin Lin, Wei Dai, Junhui Tao, Jie Li, Chuanhui Wang, Yang Zhao, Yiping Li and Xinqi Chen

Nanomaterials 2022, 12(17), 3018; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12173018 - 31 Aug 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1577

Abstract

Continued development of lithium-ion batteries is limited by the shortage of Li element. In this situation, the exploration of high-performance sodium-ion batteries is attracting much attention. In this experimental work, Na_2/3Ni_1/4Mn₃₄O₂ film cathode materials were fabricated [...] Read more.

Continued development of lithium-ion batteries is limited by the shortage of Li element. In this situation, the exploration of high-performance sodium-ion batteries is attracting much attention. In this experimental work, Na_2/3Ni_1/4Mn₃₄O₂ film cathode materials were fabricated by excimer laser deposition at different oxygen partial pressures. X-ray diffraction studies and field emission scanning electron microscopy revealed high c-axis orientation and uniform grain distribution, respectively, in the deposited films. Furthermore, after 30 cycles under a current density of 13 mA g⁻¹, the film samples deposited at an oxygen partial pressure of 65 Pa exhibited a high capacity-retention of 91%. The film structure also had a large-current discharge performance, which makes practical applications possible. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanostructured Materials for Energy Applications)

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12 pages, 5527 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Excellent Catalytic Performance of ISOBAM Stabilized Co/Fe Colloidal Catalysts toward KBH₄ Hydrolysis

by Keke Guan, Qing Zhu, Zhong Huang, Zhenxia Huang, Haijun Zhang, Junkai Wang, Quanli Jia and Shaowei Zhang

Nanomaterials 2022, 12(17), 2998; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12172998 - 30 Aug 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1549

Abstract

Recently, developing a cost-effective and high-performance catalyst is regarded as an urgent priority for hydrogen generation technology. In this work, ISOBAM-104 stabilized Co/Fe colloidal catalysts were prepared via a co-reduction method and used for the hydrogen generation from KBH₄ hydrolysis. The obtained [...] Read more.

Recently, developing a cost-effective and high-performance catalyst is regarded as an urgent priority for hydrogen generation technology. In this work, ISOBAM-104 stabilized Co/Fe colloidal catalysts were prepared via a co-reduction method and used for the hydrogen generation from KBH₄ hydrolysis. The obtained ISOBAM-104 stabilized Co₁₀Fe₉₀ colloidal catalysts exhibit an outstanding catalytic activity of 37,900 mL-H₂ min⁻¹ g-Co⁻¹, which is far higher than that of Fe or Co monometallic nanoparticles (MNPs). The apparent activation energy (E_a) of the as-prepared Co₁₀Fe₉₀ colloidal catalysts is only 14.6 ± 0.7 kJ mol⁻¹, which is much lower than that of previous reported noble metal-based catalysts. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results and density functional theory calculations demonstrate that the electron transfer between Fe and Co atoms is beneficial for the catalytic hydrolysis of KBH₄. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanostructured Materials for Energy Applications)

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23 pages, 4750 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Strategy for Preparing Solid Polymer Electrolytes Containing In Situ Synthesized ZnO Nanoparticles with Excellent Electrochemical Performance

by Yinsi Xu, Jun Li and Wanggen Li

Nanomaterials 2022, 12(15), 2680; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12152680 - 4 Aug 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1572

Abstract

ZnO nanoparticles were successfully in situ synthesized in the form of PEO–COO⁻ modified ZnO by a three-step method, based on which the solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs), based on polyethylene oxide (PEO) with excellent electrochemical performance, were prepared. The evolution of the electrochemical [...] Read more.

ZnO nanoparticles were successfully in situ synthesized in the form of PEO–COO⁻ modified ZnO by a three-step method, based on which the solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs), based on polyethylene oxide (PEO) with excellent electrochemical performance, were prepared. The evolution of the electrochemical and mechanical performances of the SPEs with the ZnO content (0–5 wt.%) was investigated in detail. The mechanical property of the SPEs demonstrated a Λ-shaped change trend as increasing the ZnO content, so that the highest value was acquired at 3 wt.% ZnO. The SPE containing 3 wt.% ZnO had the most outstanding electrochemical performance, which was significantly better than that containing directly-added ZnO (2 wt.%). Compared with the latter, the ion conductivity of the former was improved by approximately 299.05% (1.255 × 10⁻³ S·cm⁻¹ at 60 °C). The lithium-ion migration number was improved from 0.768 to 0.858. The electrochemical window was enhanced from 5.25 V to 5.50 V. When the coin cell was subject to the cycling (three cycles in turn from 0.1 C to 3 C, and subsequent fifty cycles at 1 C), the 68.73% specific capacity was retained (106.8 mAh·g⁻¹). This investigation provides a feasible approach to prepare the SPEs with excellent service performance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanostructured Materials for Energy Applications)

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11 pages, 3303 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fabrication of Zn-Cu-Ni Ternary Oxides in Nanoarrays for Photo-Enhanced Pseudocapacitive Charge Storage

by Ruitong Xu, Jun Pan, Bo Wu, Yangguang Li, Hong-En Wang and Ting Zhu

Nanomaterials 2022, 12(14), 2457; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12142457 - 18 Jul 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1784

Abstract

To meet the increasing demands of energy consumption, sustainable energy sources such as solar energy should be better employed to promote electrochemical energy storage. Herein, we fabricated a bifunctional photoelectrode composed of copper foam (CF)-supported zinc-nickel-copper ternary oxides in nanoarrays (CF@ZnCuNiO_x NAs) [...] Read more.

To meet the increasing demands of energy consumption, sustainable energy sources such as solar energy should be better employed to promote electrochemical energy storage. Herein, we fabricated a bifunctional photoelectrode composed of copper foam (CF)-supported zinc-nickel-copper ternary oxides in nanoarrays (CF@ZnCuNiO_x NAs) to promote photo-enhanced pseudocapacitive charge storage. The as-fabricated CF@ZnCuNiO_x NAs have shown both photosensitive and pseudocapacitive characteristics, demonstrating a synergistic effect on efficient solar energy harvest and conversion. As a result, a high areal specific capacitance of 2741 mF cm⁻² (namely 418 μAh cm⁻²) under light illumination can be calculated at 5 mA cm⁻², which delivered photo-enhancement of 38.3% compared to that obtained without light. In addition, the photoelectric and photothermal effects of the light energy on pseudocapacitive charge storage have been preliminarily studied and compared. This work may provide some evidence on the different mechanisms of photoelectric/thermal conversion for developing solar-driven energy storage devices. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanostructured Materials for Energy Applications)

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11 pages, 3585 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Preparation and Characterization of Screen-Printed Cu₂S/PEDOT:PSS Hybrid Films for Flexible Thermoelectric Power Generator

by Junmei Zhao, Xiaolong Zhao, Rui Guo, Yaxin Zhao, Chenyu Yang, Liping Zhang, Dan Liu and Yifeng Ren

Nanomaterials 2022, 12(14), 2430; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12142430 - 15 Jul 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1927

Abstract

In recent years, flexible thermoelectric generators(f-TEG), which can generate electricity by environmental temperature difference and have low cost, have been widely concerned in self-powered energy devices for underground pipe network monitoring. This paper studied the Cu₂S films by screen-printing. The effects [...] Read more.

In recent years, flexible thermoelectric generators(f-TEG), which can generate electricity by environmental temperature difference and have low cost, have been widely concerned in self-powered energy devices for underground pipe network monitoring. This paper studied the Cu₂S films by screen-printing. The effects of different proportions of p-type Cu₂S/poly 3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene-polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) mixture on the thermoelectric properties of films were studied. The interfacial effect of the two materials, forming a superconducting layer on the surface of Cu₂S, leads to the enhancement of film conductivity with the increase of PEDOT:PSS. In addition, the Seebeck coefficient decreases with the increase of PEDOT:PSS due to the excessive bandgap difference between the two materials. When the content ratio of Cu₂S and PEDOT:PSS was 1:1.2, the prepared film had the optimal thermoelectric performance, with a maximum power factor (PF) of 20.60 μW·m⁻¹·K⁻¹. The conductivity reached 75% of the initial value after 1500 bending tests. In addition, a fully printed Te-free f-TEG with a fan-shaped structure by Cu₂S and Ag₂Se was constructed. When the temperature difference (ΔT) was 35 K, the output voltage of the f-TEG was 33.50 mV, and the maximum power was 163.20 nW. Thus, it is envisaged that large thermoelectric output can be obtained by building a multi-layer stacking f-TEG for continuous self-powered monitoring. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanostructured Materials for Energy Applications)

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13 pages, 2845 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sustainable Green Synthesis of Yttrium Oxide (Y₂O₃) Nanoparticles Using Lantana camara Leaf Extracts: Physicochemical Characterization, Photocatalytic Degradation, Antibacterial, and Anticancer Potency

by Rajakumar Govindasamy, Mydhili Govindarasu, Salman S. Alharthi, Preeyanghaa Mani, Neppolian Bernaurdshaw, Thandapani Gomathi, Mohammad Azam Ansari, Mohammad N. Alomary, Banan Atwah, M. Shaheer Malik, V. Devi Rajeswari, Kaliaperumal Rekha, Saleh A. Ahmed and Muthu Thiruvengadam

Nanomaterials 2022, 12(14), 2393; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12142393 - 13 Jul 2022

Cited by 31 | Viewed by 4358

Abstract

Due to their appropriate physicochemical properties, nanoparticles are used in nanomedicine to develop drug delivery systems for anticancer therapy. In biomedical applications, metal oxide nanoparticles are used as powerful and flexible multipurpose agents. This work described a green synthesis of Y₂O [...] Read more.

Due to their appropriate physicochemical properties, nanoparticles are used in nanomedicine to develop drug delivery systems for anticancer therapy. In biomedical applications, metal oxide nanoparticles are used as powerful and flexible multipurpose agents. This work described a green synthesis of Y₂O₃ nanoparticles (NPs) using the sol-gel technique with the use of aqueous leaf extracts of Lantana camara L (LC). These nanoparticles were characterized with the aid of different methods, including UV, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmitted electron microscopy (TEM), and photocatalytic degradation. Y₂O₃ nanoparticles showed excellent antibacterial activity against Gram-positive Bacillus subtilis and Gram-negative Escherichia coli with a 10 to 15 mm inhibitory zone. Green Y₂O₃ NPs were released with a 4 h lag time and 80% sustained release rate, indicating that they could be used in drug delivery. In addition, the bioavailability of green Y₂O₃ NPs was investigated using cell viability in cervical cancer cell lines. These green-synthesized Y₂O₃ NPs demonstrated photocatalytic degradation, antibacterial, and anticancer properties. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanostructured Materials for Energy Applications)

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12 pages, 5155 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Simple Polypyrrole/Polyvinylidene Fluoride Membrane with Hydrophobic and Self-Floating Ability for Solar Water Evaporation

by Shenfeng Zhang, Jun Chen, Jixin Zheng, Xin Chen, Hongbo Xu, Florian Ion Tiberiu Petrescu, Liviu Marian Ungureanu, Ying Li and Gang Shi

Nanomaterials 2022, 12(5), 859; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12050859 - 3 Mar 2022

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 2359

Abstract

The traditional hydrophobic solarevaporator is generally obtained through the modification of alkyl or fluoroalkyl on the photothermal membrane. However, the modified groups can easily be oxidized in the long-term use process, resulting in the poor salt resistance and stability of photothermal membrane. In [...] Read more.

The traditional hydrophobic solarevaporator is generally obtained through the modification of alkyl or fluoroalkyl on the photothermal membrane. However, the modified groups can easily be oxidized in the long-term use process, resulting in the poor salt resistance and stability of photothermal membrane. In order to solve this problem, a simple polypyrrole/polyvinylidene fluoride membrane, consisting of an intrinsic hydrophobic support (polyvinylidene fluoride) and a photothermal material (polypyrrole), was fabricated by ultrasonically mixing and immersed precipitation. This photothermal membrane showed good self-floating ability in the process of water evaporation. In order to further improve the photothermal conversion efficiency, a micropyramid structure with antireflective ability was formed on the surface of membrane by template method. The micropyramids can enhance the absorption efficiency of incident light. The water evaporation rate reached 1.42 kg m⁻² h⁻¹ under 1 sun irradiation, and the photothermal conversion efficiency was 88.7%. The hydrophobic polyvinylidene fluoride ensures that NaCl cannot enter into membrane during the evaporation process of the brine, thus realizing the stability and salt resistance of polypyrrole/polyvinylidene fluoride in 3.5%wt and 10%wt NaCl solution. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanostructured Materials for Energy Applications)

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17 pages, 2384 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Computing with DFT Band Offsets at Semiconductor Interfaces: A Comparison of Two Methods

by José C. Conesa

Nanomaterials 2021, 11(6), 1581; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11061581 - 16 Jun 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3103

Abstract

Two DFT-based methods using hybrid functionals and plane-averaged profiles of the Hartree potential (individual slabs versus vacuum and alternating slabs of both materials), which are frequently used to predict or estimate the offset between bands at interfaces between two semiconductors, are analyzed in [...] Read more.

Two DFT-based methods using hybrid functionals and plane-averaged profiles of the Hartree potential (individual slabs versus vacuum and alternating slabs of both materials), which are frequently used to predict or estimate the offset between bands at interfaces between two semiconductors, are analyzed in the present work. These methods are compared using several very different semiconductor pairs, and the conclusions about the advantages of each method are discussed. Overall, the alternating slabs method is recommended in those cases where epitaxial mismatch does not represent a significant problem. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanostructured Materials for Energy Applications)

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10 pages, 5314 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Facile Fabrication of MnCo₂O₄/NiO Flower-Like Nanostructure Composites with Improved Energy Storage Capacity for High-Performance Supercapacitors

by Sangaraju Sambasivam, K. V. G. Raghavendra, Anil Kumar Yedluri, Hammad Mueen Arbi, Venkatesha Narayanaswamy, Chandu V. V. Muralee Gopi, Byung-Chun Choi, Hee-Je Kim, Salem Alzahmi and Ihab M. Obaidat

Nanomaterials 2021, 11(6), 1424; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11061424 - 28 May 2021

Cited by 25 | Viewed by 3468

Abstract

Over the past few decades, the application of new novel materials in energy storage system has seen excellent development. We report a novel MnCo₂O₄/NiO nanostructure prepared by a simplistic chemical bath deposition method and employed it as a binder [...] Read more.

Over the past few decades, the application of new novel materials in energy storage system has seen excellent development. We report a novel MnCo₂O₄/NiO nanostructure prepared by a simplistic chemical bath deposition method and employed it as a binder free electrode in the supercapacitor. The synergistic attraction from a high density of active sites, better transportation of ion diffusion and super-most electrical transportation, which deliver boost electrochemical activities. X-ray diffraction, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy have been used to investigate the crystallinity, morphology, and elemental composition of the as-synthesized precursors, respectively. Cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge/discharge, and electron impedance spectroscopy have been employed to investigate the electrochemical properties. The unique nanoparticle structures delivered additional well-organized pathways for the swift mobility of electrons and ions. The as-prepared binder-free MnCo₂O₄/NiO nanocomposite electrode has a high specific capacity of 453.3 C g⁻¹ at 1 Ag⁻¹, and an excellent cycling reliability of 91.89 percent even after 4000 cycles, which are significantly higher than bare MnCo₂O₄ and NiO electrodes. Finally, these results disclose that the as-fabricated MnCo₂O₄/NiO electrode could be a favored-like electrode material holds substantial potential and supreme option for efficient supercapacitor and their energy storage-related applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanostructured Materials for Energy Applications)

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