Recent Advances in Energy Harvesting and Storage Devices

A special issue of Micromachines (ISSN 2072-666X). This special issue belongs to the section "C:Chemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2024) | Viewed by 2089

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
School of Materials Science and Engineering, Anhui University, Anhui 230601, China
Interests: energy harvesting and storage; synthesis and characterization of novel nanostructures materials for supercapacitors; piezoelectric and triboelectric nanogenerators

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Guest Editor
Department of Physics and Astronomy, Sejong University, Neungdong-ro 209, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05006, Republic of Korea
Interests: 2D van der Waals heterostructures; memory devices; p–n junction diodes; photodetectors; spintronics; nano-electronic devices; transport properties in mesoscopic systems
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In recent years, the pursuit of sustainable and portable energy solutions has led to a surge in research focused on developing efficient energy storage and harvesting technologies. One promising avenue in this endeavor is the synthesis of nanostructured materials tailored for flexible supercapacitors and energy harvesting devices, particularly those based on piezoelectric and triboelectric principles. These advanced materials and devices have the potential to revolutionize the way we store and generate energy, paving the way for more versatile and environmentally friendly power sources. Flexible supercapacitors are at the forefront of energy storage innovation, offering high power density, rapid charge/discharge cycles, and excellent mechanical flexibility. Nanostructured materials, such as graphene, carbon nanotubes, and various metal oxides, have emerged as key components in the construction of these devices. Their large surface area and tunable properties enable the development of lightweight and flexible supercapacitors that can be seamlessly integrated into wearable electronics, smart textiles, and even bendable electronics. In parallel, the development of piezoelectric and triboelectric energy harvesting devices has gained significant attention. Piezoelectric materials generate electric charges in response to mechanical stress, while triboelectric materials generate electricity through friction-induced charge separation. Both technologies offer exciting opportunities for capturing energy from everyday activities, such as walking, tapping, or even airflow. Nanostructured materials, when designed with specific geometries and structures, enhance the efficiency of energy conversion in these devices, making them more practical and versatile for a wide range of applications, from self-powered sensors to sustainable energy sources for remote locations.

This Special Issue explores the cutting-edge advancements in the synthesis of nanostructured materials tailored for flexible supercapacitors and energy harvesting devices. It delves into the design principles, fabrication techniques, and the remarkable properties of these materials that make them ideal candidates for revolutionizing the energy landscape. By harnessing the power of nanotechnology and flexible electronics, researchers are inching closer to creating a future where energy storage and generation are more sustainable, adaptable, and integrated into our daily lives.

We look forward to your participation in this Special Issue.

Dr. Aamir Rasheed
Prof. Dr. Ghulam Dastgeer
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • sustainable energy
  • energy harvesting
  • energy storage
  • novel materials for supercapacitors
  • novel materials for piezoelectric and triboelectric nanogenerators
  • flexible and wearable energy harvesting devices

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 5533 KiB  
Article
One-Pot Facile Synthesis of a Cluster of ZnS Low-Dimensional Nanoparticles for High-Performance Supercapacitor Electrodes
by Sagar M. Mane, Komal S. Wagh, Aviraj M. Teli, Sonali A. Beknalkar, Jae Cheol Shin and Jaewoong Lee
Micromachines 2024, 15(2), 251; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi15020251 - 07 Feb 2024
Viewed by 698
Abstract
To maximize the use of ZnS low-dimensional nanoparticles as high-performance supercapacitor electrodes, this work describes a simple one-pot synthesis method for producing a cluster of these particles. The ZnS nanoparticles fabricated in this work exhibit a cluster with unique low-dimensional (0D, 1D, and [...] Read more.
To maximize the use of ZnS low-dimensional nanoparticles as high-performance supercapacitor electrodes, this work describes a simple one-pot synthesis method for producing a cluster of these particles. The ZnS nanoparticles fabricated in this work exhibit a cluster with unique low-dimensional (0D, 1D, and 2D) characteristics. Structural, morphological, and electrochemical investigations are all part of the thorough characterization of the produced materials. An X-ray diffraction pattern of clustered ZnS nanoparticles reflects the phase formation with highly stable cubic blende sphalerite polymorph. The confirmation of nanoparticle cluster formation featuring multiple low-dimensional nanostructures was achieved through field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), while the internal structure was assessed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Systematically assessing the ZnS nanoparticles’ electrochemical performance reveals their prospective qualities as supercapacitor electrode materials. The electrode assembled with this material on Ni foam demonstrates elevated specific capacitance (areal capacitance) values, reaching 716.8 F.g⁻1 (2150.4 mF.cm−2) at a current density of 3 mA.cm⁻2. Moreover, it reflects 69.1% capacitance retention with a four times increase in current density, i.e., 495.5 F.g−1 (1486.56 mF.cm−2) capacitance was archived at 12 mA.cm−2 with 100% Coulombic efficiency. Furthermore, the electrode exhibits prolonged cycling capability with 77.7% capacitance retention, as evidenced by its charge–discharge measurements sustained over 15,000 cycles at a current density of 25 mA cm⁻2. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Energy Harvesting and Storage Devices)
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13 pages, 3650 KiB  
Article
U-Shaped Tube Based Liquid–Solid Triboelectric Nanogenerator for Harvesting Unutilized Compressed Air Energy
by Xuhang Cai, Zhijian Liu, Jingming Dong, Haoji Li, Jiamu Han, Jiaming Huang and Haotian Chen
Micromachines 2023, 14(11), 2057; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi14112057 - 02 Nov 2023
Viewed by 1093
Abstract
Due to a lack of technologies that harvest green and sustainable energy, unutilized compressed air energy during the operation of pneumatic systems is wasted. Liquid–solid triboelectric nano-generators (L-S TENGs) have been widely used as an advanced technology with broad development prospects due to [...] Read more.
Due to a lack of technologies that harvest green and sustainable energy, unutilized compressed air energy during the operation of pneumatic systems is wasted. Liquid–solid triboelectric nano-generators (L-S TENGs) have been widely used as an advanced technology with broad development prospects due to their advantages of a simple structure and long service life. Among them, liquid–solid triboelectric nanogenerators with tube structures have great potential for coupling multiple physical effects and integrating them into a single device. Herein, a U-shaped tube triboelectric nanogenerator composed of fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) and copper foil (UFC-TENG) is proposed to directly harvest unutilized compressed air energy. The UFC-TENG can collect unutilized compressed air energy with a stable peak voltage and current of approximately 33 V and 0.25 μA, respectively. When the alternating frequency of the liquid is 0.9 Hz, the unutilized compressed air can drive the UFC-TENG unit with an inner diameter of 12 mm, achieving a maximum output power of 3.93 μW at an external load resistance of 90 MΩ. The UFC-TENG is a novel driving method for L-S TENGs and demonstrates the promising potential of TENGs in the harvesting of unutilized compressed air energy in pneumatic systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Energy Harvesting and Storage Devices)
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