Nanostructured Materials for Electrochemical Energy Producti ...

Edson Roberto Leite

• 18 december 2008
• 9780387493220

Samenvatting:

Here is an authoritative reference from world-renowned research groups for those working in materials science and electrochemistry. The authors describe properties of nanostructured materials that can improve performance in alternative energy devices.

The key problem facing new energy conversion and storage technologies remains device efficiency. Designs based on nanostructured materials can yield improved performance in devices employing electrochemical reactions and heterogeneous catalysis such as batteries and fuel and solar cells. Nanoscale structures dramatically alter the surface reaction rates and electrical transport throughout the material, causing a dramatic improvement in energy storage, conversion, and generation. This book describes properties of nanostructured materials that can be the basis of improved performance in a wide range of alternative energy devices. Fundamental concepts of nanostructured materials such as nanocrystal synthesis and properties, thermodynamics and defect chemistry, and interfacial and physical electrochemistry are presented as are the impact and application of nanoscale materials in specific alternative energy devices. These materials and devices promise not only the development of a wide range of new technologies, but also the potential for a more sustainable energy future. Nanostructured Materials for Electrochemical Energy Production and Storage is an authoritative and essential reference from world-renowned research groups for scientists and engineers in the fields of materials science and electrochemistry.

The major problem facing new energy conversion and storage technologies remains device ef?ciency. Projects based on nanostructured materials can yield improved performance in devices involving electrochemical reactions and heterogeneous catalysis, such as fuel and solar cells, batteries, etc. Nanoscale structures drama- cally alter the surface reaction rates and electrical transport throughout the material, causing a dramatic improvement in energy storage, conversion, and generation. Furthermore, the design of nanoscale materials to be applied in alternative energy devices is a predictable way to develop a wide range of new technologies for a more sustainable future. Therefore, the goal of this book is to present basic fundamentals and the most relevant properties of nanostructured materials in order to improve alternative energy devices. This book begins with a chapter by Gratzel .. summarizing the use of mesoscopic thin ?lms and hybrid materials in the development of new kinds of regenerative photoelectrochemical devices. Applications include high-ef?ciency solar cells. In chapter two, Ribeiro and Leite describe assembly and properties of nanop- ticles. The chapter presents a review on the properties and main features of nanoscale materials, emphasizing the dependence of key properties on size for energy purposes. A general description is also given of nanoparticle synthesi- tion methods (mainly oxides), focusing on advances in tailoring controlled shape nanostructures.