Applications of Nanomaterials in Energy Systems, 2nd Volume

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Topic is a continuation of the previous successful Topic “Applications of Nanomaterials in Energy Systems”

We invite submissions to a Topic on the subject of “Applications of Nanomaterials in Energy Systems”. This Topic is a multidisciplinary peer-reviewed editorial which aims to contribute to state-of-the-art topics on nanomaterials by addressing cutting-edge research results on exponential nanotechnology.

The following are included within the scope of this: publications reporting on original experimental work, theoretical research studies, analytical or empirical models that investigate nanomaterial performance in energy systems, and review articles updating the nanomaterials scientific community as to the state of the art and contemporary advances.

Topics of interest for publication include, but are not limited to:

• Nanocomposite dielectric materials
• Nanotechnology applications in electric components
• Nanomaterials for electrical energy storage devices
• Nanotechnology in energy transmission
• Nanotechnology applications for electrical transformers
• Nanomaterials for energy conversion
• Nanotechnology in electronics
• Supercapacitors based on nanomaterials
• Photovoltaics with nanomaterials aspects
• Nanomaterials based batteries
• Nanomaterials for energy storage
• Nanomaterials for heat transfer
• Synthesis and characterization of novel nanomaterials with respect to power/energy systems
• Nanomaterials for optoelectronic/photochemical devices.

Prof. Dr. Eleftheria C. Pyrgioti
Dr. Ioannis F. Gonos
Prof. Dr. Diaa-Eldin A. Mansour
Topic Editors

Keywords

Participating Journals

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Applied Sciences applsci	2.5	5.3	2011	17.8 Days	CHF 2400
Energies energies	3.0	6.2	2008	17.5 Days	CHF 2600
Materials materials	3.1	5.8	2008	15.5 Days	CHF 2600
Nanoenergy Advances nanoenergyadv	-	-	2021	25 Days	CHF 1000
Nanomaterials nanomaterials	4.4	8.5	2010	13.8 Days	CHF 2900

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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All Applied Sciences Energies Materials Nanoenergy Advances Nanomaterials

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12 pages, 3514 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Long-Term Stable Cycling of Dendrite-Free Lithium Metal Batteries Using ZIF-90@PP Composite Separator

by Shuilan LYU, Xin Zhang, Sheng Huang, Shuanjin Wang, Min Xiao, Dongmei Han and Yuezhong Meng

Nanomaterials 2024, 14(11), 975; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14110975 - 4 Jun 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1395

Abstract

Lithium metal batteries (LMBs) are anticipated to meet the demand for high energy density, but the growth of lithium dendrites seriously hinders its practical application. Herein, we constructed a kind of composite separator (ZIF-90@PP) consisting of zeolite imidazole framework-90 (ZIF-90) and polypropylene (PP) [...] Read more.

Lithium metal batteries (LMBs) are anticipated to meet the demand for high energy density, but the growth of lithium dendrites seriously hinders its practical application. Herein, we constructed a kind of composite separator (ZIF-90@PP) consisting of zeolite imidazole framework-90 (ZIF-90) and polypropylene (PP) to promote the uniform deposition of Li⁺ and inhibit the growth of lithium dendrites. The aldehyde groups interacting with TFSI⁻ and the nitrogen-containing negative groups attracting Li⁺ of ZIF-90 can facilitate the dissociation of LiTFSI to release more Li⁺, thus alleviating the influence of space charge near the electrode surface and accelerating the transfer of Li⁺. Not only does the excellent electrolyte wettability of ZIF-90 enhance the electrolyte retention capacity of the separator, but the orderly nano-channels in ZIF-90 also restrict the free migration of anions and homogenize the distribution of Li⁺. Consequently, the functional separator achieves a long-term stable Li plating/stripping cycling for over 780 h at 2 mA cm⁻². Moreover, an impressive average coulombic efficiency of 98.67% at 0.5 C after 300 cycles is realized by Li || LFP full cells based on ZIF-90@PP with a capacity retention rate of 71.22%. The high-rate and long cycling performance of the modified Li || LFP cells further demonstrates the advantages of the ZIF-90@PP composite separator. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Applications of Nanomaterials in Energy Systems, 2nd Volume)

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16 pages, 3293 KiB  

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Improved Operation of Chloralkaline Reversible Cells with Mixed Metal Oxide Electrodes Made Using Microwaves

by Jamylle Y. C. Ribeiro, Gessica O. S. Santos, Aline R. Dória, Iñaki Requena, Marcos R. V. Lanza, Giancarlo R. Salazar-Banda, Katlin I. B. Eguiluz, Justo Lobato and Manuel A. Rodrigo

Nanomaterials 2024, 14(8), 693; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14080693 - 17 Apr 2024

Viewed by 1414

Abstract

This study focuses on the synthesis of mixed metal oxide anodes (MMOs) with the composition Ti/RuO₂Sb₂O₄Pt_x (where x = 0, 5, 10 mol) using hybrid microwave irradiation heating. The synthesized electrodes were characterized using scanning electron [...] Read more.

This study focuses on the synthesis of mixed metal oxide anodes (MMOs) with the composition Ti/RuO₂Sb₂O₄Pt_x (where x = 0, 5, 10 mol) using hybrid microwave irradiation heating. The synthesized electrodes were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray energy-dispersive analysis, X-ray diffraction, cyclic voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. These electrodes were then evaluated in both bulk electrolytic and fuel cell tests within a reversible chloralkaline electrochemical cell. The configurations using the electrodes Ti/(RuO₂)_0.7-(Sb₂O₄)_0.3 and Ti/(RuO₂)_66.5-(Sb2O₄)_28.5-Pt₅ presented lower onset potential for oxygen and chlorine evolution reactions and reduced resistance to charge transfer compared to the Ti/(RuO₂)₆₃-(Sb₂O₄)₂₇-Pt₁₀ variant. These electrodes demonstrated notable performance in reversible electrochemical cells, achieving Coulombic efficiencies of up to 60% when operating in the electrolytic mode at current densities of 150 mA cm⁻². They also reached maximum power densities of 1.2 mW cm⁻² in the fuel cell. In both scenarios, the presence of platinum in the MMO coating positively influenced the process. Furthermore, a significant challenge encountered was crossover through the membranes, primarily associated with gaseous Cl₂. This study advances our understanding of reversible electrochemical cells and presents possibilities for further exploration and refinement. It demonstrated that the synergy of innovative electrode synthesis strategies and electrochemical engineering can lead to promising and sustainable technologies for energy conversion. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Applications of Nanomaterials in Energy Systems, 2nd Volume)

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18 pages, 10939 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Synthesis, Characterization, and Properties of a Novel Hyperbranched Polymers with Polyacrylamide Side Chains

by Xiaoping Qin, Qianwen Wang, Peng Tang, Hui Yang, Cuixia Li, Xiaoliang Yang and Tong Peng

Materials 2024, 17(7), 1619; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17071619 - 1 Apr 2024

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1553

Abstract

A novel hyperbranched polymer with polyacrylamide side chains (HAPAM) was synthesized by aqueous solution polymerization using acrylic acid, acrylamide, 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid, hydrophobic monomer of dimethyl octadecyl ammonium chloride, and the homemade skeleton monomer of modified-M_2.0 as raw materials and (NH₄) [...] Read more.

A novel hyperbranched polymer with polyacrylamide side chains (HAPAM) was synthesized by aqueous solution polymerization using acrylic acid, acrylamide, 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid, hydrophobic monomer of dimethyl octadecyl ammonium chloride, and the homemade skeleton monomer of modified-M_2.0 as raw materials and (NH₄)₂S₂O₈-NaHSO₃ as initiator. The molecular structure, functional groups, and surface morphology of HAPAM were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance hydrogen spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. It was found that the performance of HAPAM solution was higher than that of ordinary polyacrylamide solution in terms of thickening ability, shearing resistance, thermal endurance, salt-resistance, resistance-coefficient and residual-resistance-coefficient, ability to reduce interfacial tension between polymer solution and crude oil, and oil-displacement-efficiency. In particular, the enhanced oil recovery of the HAPAM solution was 13.03%, and the improvement of shearing resistance and immunity to chromatographic separation were simultaneously achieved by the HAPAM solution. These results indicate that the successful synthesis of the novel HAPAM opens a promising strategy for developing new high-performance oil-displacing polymers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Applications of Nanomaterials in Energy Systems, 2nd Volume)

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13 pages, 3229 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

The Effects of Organically Modified Lithium Magnesium Silicate on the Rheological Properties of Water-Based Drilling Fluids

by Taotao Luo, Jun Li, Jiangen Xu, Jun Wang, Lianxi Zhang and Zeya Yu

Materials 2024, 17(7), 1564; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17071564 - 29 Mar 2024

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 902

Abstract

To address the problem of insufficient temperature and salt resistance of existing polymer viscosity enhancers, we designed an organic–inorganic hybrid composite as a viscosity enhancer for water-based drilling fluids, named LAZ, and it was prepared by combining a water-soluble monomer and lithium magnesium [...] Read more.

To address the problem of insufficient temperature and salt resistance of existing polymer viscosity enhancers, we designed an organic–inorganic hybrid composite as a viscosity enhancer for water-based drilling fluids, named LAZ, and it was prepared by combining a water-soluble monomer and lithium magnesium silicate (LMS) using an intercalation polymerization method. The composite LAZ was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transformed target X-ray diffractometry, scanning electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The rheological properties of the composite LAZ were evaluated. The composite LAZ was used as a water-based drilling fluid viscosity enhancer, and the temperature and salt resistance of the drilling fluid were evaluated. The results showed that the composite LAZ presented a complex reticulation structure in an aqueous solution. This reticulation structure intertwined with each other exhibited viscosity-enhancing properties, which can enhance the suspension properties of water-based drilling fluids. The aqueous solution of the composite LAZ has shear dilution properties. As shear rate increases, shear stress becomes larger. The yield stress value of the aqueous solution increases as the composite LAZ’s concentration increases. The aqueous solution of the composite LAZ exhibits strong elastic characteristics with weak gel properties. The addition of the composite LAZ to 4% sodium bentonite-based slurry significantly increased the apparent viscosity and dynamic shear of the drilling fluid. The drilling fluids containing the composite LAZ had good temperature resistance at 150 °C and below. The rheological properties of brine drilling fluids containing the composite LAZ changed slightly before and after high-temperature aging at 150 °C. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Applications of Nanomaterials in Energy Systems, 2nd Volume)

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23 pages, 6181 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

A Novel Polyester Varnish Nanocomposites for Electrical Machines with Improved Thermal and Dielectric Properties Using Functionalized TiO₂ Nanoparticles

by Hanaa M. Ahmed, Nagat M. K. Abdel-Gawad, Waleed A. Afifi, Diaa-Eldin A. Mansour, Matti Lehtonen and Mohamed M. F. Darwish

Materials 2023, 16(19), 6478; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16196478 - 29 Sep 2023

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1299

Abstract

Recently, there has been a growing interest in polymer insulating materials that incorporate nanoscale inorganic additives, as they have shown significantly improved dielectric, thermal, and mechanical properties, making them highly suitable for application in high-voltage insulating materials for electrical machines. This study aims [...] Read more.

Recently, there has been a growing interest in polymer insulating materials that incorporate nanoscale inorganic additives, as they have shown significantly improved dielectric, thermal, and mechanical properties, making them highly suitable for application in high-voltage insulating materials for electrical machines. This study aims to improve the dielectric and thermal properties of a commercial polyester varnish by incorporating different concentrations of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO₂) with proper surface functionalization. Permafil 9637 dipping varnish is the varnish used for this investigation, and vinyl silane is the coupling agent used in the surface functionalization of TiO₂ nanoparticles. First, nanoparticles are characterized through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy to validate the success of their surface functionalization. Then, varnish nanocomposites are characterized through field emission scanning electron microscopy to validate the dispersion and morphology of nanoparticles within the varnish matrix. Following characterization, varnish nanocomposites are evaluated for thermal and dielectric properties. Regarding thermal properties, the thermal conductivity of the prepared nanocomposites is assessed. Regarding dielectric properties, both permittivity and dielectric losses are evaluated over a wide frequency range, starting from 20 Hz up to 2 MHz. Moreover, the AC breakdown voltage is measured for varnish nanocomposites, and the obtained data are incorporated into a finite element method to obtain the dielectric breakdown strength. Finally, the physical mechanisms behind the obtained results are discussed, considering the role of nanoparticle loading and surface functionalization. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Applications of Nanomaterials in Energy Systems, 2nd Volume)

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19 pages, 6796 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Mineral Oil-Based Nanofluids on the Temperature Distribution and Generated Heat Energy Inside Minimum Oil Circuit Breaker in Making Process

by Hesham S. Karaman, Adel Z. El Dein, Diaa-Eldin A. Mansour, Matti Lehtonen and Mohamed M. F. Darwish

Nanomaterials 2023, 13(13), 1951; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13131951 - 27 Jun 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1518

Abstract

The enhancement of the thermal properties of insulating oils has positively reflected on the performance of the electrical equipment that contains these oils. Nanomaterial science plays an influential role in enhancing the different properties of liquids, especially insulating oils. Although a minimum oil [...] Read more.

The enhancement of the thermal properties of insulating oils has positively reflected on the performance of the electrical equipment that contains these oils. Nanomaterial science plays an influential role in enhancing the different properties of liquids, especially insulating oils. Although a minimum oil circuit breaker (MOCB) is one of the oldest circuit breakers in the electrical network, improving the insulating oil properties develops its performance to overcome some of its troubles. In this paper, 66 kV MOCB is modeled by COMSOL Multiphysics software. The internal temperature and the internally generated heat energy inside the MOCB during the making process of its contacts are simulated at different positions of the movable contact. This simulation is introduced for different modified insulating oils (mineral oil and synthetic ester oil) with different types of nanoparticles at different concentrations (0.0, 0.0025, 0.005, and 0.01 wt%). From the obtained results, it is noticed that the thermal stress on the MOCB can be reduced by the use of high thermal conductivity insulating oils. Nano/insulating oils decrease internal temperature and generate heat energy inside the MOCB by about 17.5%. The corresponding physical mechanisms are clarified considering the thermophoresis effect. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Applications of Nanomaterials in Energy Systems, 2nd Volume)

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20 pages, 21923 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Analysis of Selected Dielectric Properties of Epoxy-Alumina Nanocomposites Cured at Stepwise Increasing Temperatures

by Anna Dąda, Paweł Błaut, Maciej Kuniewski and Paweł Zydroń

Energies 2023, 16(5), 2091; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16052091 - 21 Feb 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2163

Abstract

The paper presents the effects of gradual temperature curing on the dielectric properties of epoxy nanocomposite samples. Samples were prepared based on Class H epoxy resin filled with nano-alumina (Al₂O₃) for different wt% loadings (0.5 wt% to 5.0 wt%) [...] Read more.

The paper presents the effects of gradual temperature curing on the dielectric properties of epoxy nanocomposite samples. Samples were prepared based on Class H epoxy resin filled with nano-alumina (Al₂O₃) for different wt% loadings (0.5 wt% to 5.0 wt%) and two different filler sizes (13 nm and <50 nm), i.e., two different specific surface area values. During the research, specimen sets were cured gradually at increasingly higher temperatures (from 60 °C to 180 °C). Broadband dielectric spectroscopy (BDS) was used to determine the characteristics of the dielectric constant and the dielectric loss factor in the frequency range from 10⁻³ Hz to 10⁵ Hz. As a result, it was possible to analyze the impact of the progressing polymer structure thermosetting processes on the observed dielectric parameters of the samples. The nano-Al₂O₃ addition with 0.5 wt%, 1.0 wt%, and 3.0 wt% resulted in a decrease in dielectric constant values compared to neat epoxy resin samples. The most significant reductions were recorded for samples filled with 0.5 wt% of 13 nm and <50 nm powders, by about 15% and 11%, respectively. For all tested samples, the curing process at a gradually higher temperature caused a slight decrease in the dielectric constant (approx. 2% to 9%) in the whole frequency range. Depending on the nanofiller content and the curing stage, the dielectric loss factor of the nanocomposite may be lower or higher than that of the neat resin. For all tested samples cured at 130 °C (and post-cured at 180 °C), the differences in the dielectric loss factor characteristics for frequencies greater than 100 Hz are low. For frequencies < 100 Hz, there are prominent differences in the characteristics related to the size of the nanoparticle and the individual wt% value. At a small nanofiller amount (0.5 wt%), a decrease in the dielectric constant and dielectric loss factor was observed for frequencies < 100 Hz for samples with nanofillers of both sizes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Applications of Nanomaterials in Energy Systems, 2nd Volume)

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