Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
5.0
2.9
Journals
Coatings
Special Issues
Energy Storage and Conversion: From Materials, Devices to Applications
share announcement

Energy Storage and Conversion: From Materials, Devices to Applications

A special issue of Coatings (ISSN 2079-6412). This special issue belongs to the section "Surface Engineering for Energy Harvesting, Conversion, and Storage".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 December 2024 | Viewed by 7243

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Ning Sun

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites, Beijing Key Laboratory of Electrochemical Process and Technology for Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
Interests: carbon and MXene-based materials for energy storage
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The development of renewable energy sources has aroused great interest in the field of energy storage and conversion technologies. This Special Issue, entitled "Energy Storage and Conversion: From Material, Device to Application" aims to report on the most recent advancements in developing innovative energy storage and conversion technologies, such as lithium/sodium/potassium ion batteries, lithium–sulfur batteries, supercapacitors, aqueous zinc-ion batteries, electrocatalysis, photocatalysis, etc. The contribution of original research articles and reviews on the material design, structural characterization, device fabrication, theoretical calculation, energy storage mechanism, and industrial engineering for energy storage and conversion are strongly encouraged in this Special Issue and would be gladly received.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Ning Sun
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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

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

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • secondary battery
  • supercapacitor
  • electrocatalysis and photocatalysis
  • energy storage
  • energy conversion
  • advanced material
  • device
  • application

Published Papers (7 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

14 pages, 2734 KiB  
Article
Effect of Structural and Material Modifications of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells on Photovoltaic Performance
by Paweł Gnida and Ewa Schab-Balcerzak
Coatings 2024, 14(7), 837; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings14070837 - 4 Jul 2024
Viewed by 542
Abstract
Dye-sensitized solar cells with synthesized phenothiazine derivative 3,7′-bis(2-cyano-1-acrylic acid)-10-ethyl-phenothiazine (PTZ) and commercial di-tetrabutylammonium cis-bis(isothiocyanato)bis(2,2′-bipyridyl-4,4′-dicarboxylato)ruthenium(II) (N719) dyes were fabricated and characterized based on current–voltage measurements. The effect of the utilization of individual dyes and its mixture, chenodeoxycholic acid as co-adsorbent addition, replacement of I [...] Read more.
Dye-sensitized solar cells with synthesized phenothiazine derivative 3,7′-bis(2-cyano-1-acrylic acid)-10-ethyl-phenothiazine (PTZ) and commercial di-tetrabutylammonium cis-bis(isothiocyanato)bis(2,2′-bipyridyl-4,4′-dicarboxylato)ruthenium(II) (N719) dyes were fabricated and characterized based on current–voltage measurements. The effect of the utilization of individual dyes and its mixture, chenodeoxycholic acid as co-adsorbent addition, replacement of I−/I3− by Co2+/3+ ions in electrolyte and platinum by semiconducting polymer mixture poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate in counter electrode was studied. Additionally, the effect of polymer thickness on the photovoltaic performance of the device was evaluated. Prepared photoanodes were characterized by UV–Vis spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy. The further modification of DSSCs involving the fabrication of tandem solar cells was carried out. The higher power conversion efficiency 7.60% exhibited tandem photovoltaic cell sensitized with dyes mixture containing co-adsorbent, I−/I3− ions in the electrolyte, and platinum in the electrode. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Storage and Conversion: From Materials, Devices to Applications)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 6901 KiB  
Article
Covalent Molecular Anchoring of Metal-Free Porphyrin on Graphitic Surfaces toward Improved Electrocatalytic Activities in Acidic Medium
by Thi Mien Trung Huynh and Thanh Hai Phan
Coatings 2024, 14(6), 745; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings14060745 - 12 Jun 2024
Viewed by 965
Abstract
Robust engineering of two-dimensional (2D) materials via covalent grafting of organic molecules has been a great strategy for permanently tuningtheir physicochemical behaviors toward electrochemical energy applications. Herein, we demonstrated that a covalent functionalization approach of graphitic surfaces including graphene by a graftable porphyrin [...] Read more.
Robust engineering of two-dimensional (2D) materials via covalent grafting of organic molecules has been a great strategy for permanently tuningtheir physicochemical behaviors toward electrochemical energy applications. Herein, we demonstrated that a covalent functionalization approach of graphitic surfaces including graphene by a graftable porphyrin (g-Por) derivative, abbreviated as g-Por/HOPG or g-Por/G, is realizable. The efficiency of this approach is determined at both the molecular and global scales by using a state-of-the-art toolbox including cyclic voltammetry (CV), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). Consequently, g-Por molecules were proven to covalently graft on graphitic surfaces via C-C bonds, resulting in the formation of a robust novel hybrid 2D material visualized by AFM and STM imaging. Interestingly, the resulting robust molecular material was elucidated as a novel bifunctional catalyst for both the oxygen evolution (OER) and the hydrogen evolution reactions (HER) in acidic medium with highly catalytic stability and examined at the molecular level. These findings contribute to an in-depth understanding at the molecular level ofthe contribution of the synergetic effects of molecular structures toward the water-splitting process. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Storage and Conversion: From Materials, Devices to Applications)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 7401 KiB  
Article
Optimization of Epitaxial Structures on GaN-on-Si(111) HEMTs with Step-Graded AlGaN Buffer Layer and AlGaN Back Barrier
by Jeong-Gil Kim
Coatings 2024, 14(6), 700; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings14060700 - 2 Jun 2024
Viewed by 462
Abstract
Recently, crack-free GaN-on-Si growth technology has become increasingly important due to the high demand for power semiconductor devices with high performances. In this paper, we have experimentally optimized the buffer structures such as the AlN nucleation layer and step-graded AlGaN layer for AlGaN/GaN [...] Read more.
Recently, crack-free GaN-on-Si growth technology has become increasingly important due to the high demand for power semiconductor devices with high performances. In this paper, we have experimentally optimized the buffer structures such as the AlN nucleation layer and step-graded AlGaN layer for AlGaN/GaN HEMTs on Si (111) substrate by varying growth conditions and thickness, which is very crucial for achieving crack-free GaN-on-Si epitaxial growth. Moreover, an AlGaN back barrier was inserted to reduce the buffer trapping effects, resulting in the enhancement of carrier confinement and suppression of current dispersion. Firstly, the AlN nucleation layer was optimized with a thickness of 285 nm, providing the smoothest surface confirmed by SEM image. On the AlN nucleation layer, four step-graded AlGaN layers were sequentially grown by increasing the Al composition from undermost layer to uppermost layer, meaning that the undermost one was close to AlN, and the uppermost was close to GaN, to reduce the stress and strain in the epitaxial layer gradually. It was also verified that the thicker step-graded AlGaN buffer layer is suitable for better crystalline quality and surface morphology and lower buffer leakage current, as expected. On these optimized buffer structures, the AlGaN back barrier was introduced, and the effects of the back barrier were clearly observed in the device characteristics of the AlGaN/GaN HEMTs on Si (111) substrate such as the transfer characteristics, output characteristics and pulsed I-V characteristics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Storage and Conversion: From Materials, Devices to Applications)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 4212 KiB  
Article
Synthesis of Flower-like Crystal Nickel–Cobalt Sulfide and Its Supercapacitor Performance
by Haoran Yu, Ding Shen, Ran Zhang and Shiyu Zhao
Coatings 2024, 14(5), 564; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings14050564 - 2 May 2024
Viewed by 1005
Abstract
In order to improve the pseudocapacitance performance of metal sulfide electrode materials and obtain supercapacitor energy storage devices with excellent electrochemical reversibility and long-term cycle stability, the synthesis of flower-shaped crystal nickel–cobalt sulfide and its supercapacitor performance were studied. NiCo2S4 [...] Read more.
In order to improve the pseudocapacitance performance of metal sulfide electrode materials and obtain supercapacitor energy storage devices with excellent electrochemical reversibility and long-term cycle stability, the synthesis of flower-shaped crystal nickel–cobalt sulfide and its supercapacitor performance were studied. NiCo2S4 flower-shaped crystal nickel–cobalt sulfide was prepared by the hydrothermal method with nickel foam as the raw material, and electrode materials were added to prepare supercapacitor electrodes for testing of the supercapacitor performance. The physical properties of flower-shaped crystal nickel–cobalt sulfide were tested by a scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope, and the voltammetric cycle and constant current charge and discharge of supercapacitor electrodes prepared from this sulfide were analyzed through experiments. The experimental results showed that the flower crystal microstructure had a positive effect on the electrochemical properties. The capacitance value was always high at different current densities, and the capacity was as high as 3867.8 A/g at pH 12. After 2000 voltage–charge–discharge cycle tests, the petal-like sulfide capacity still had a retention rate of 90.57, the flower crystal nickel–cobalt sulfide still showed an excellent supercapacitor performance and the specific capacity was still high, which demonstrates that this sulfide has excellent cyclic stability and durability in electrochemical applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Storage and Conversion: From Materials, Devices to Applications)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 9469 KiB  
Article
Optimized Field Emission from Graphene Sheets with Rare Earth Oxides
by ZhiJianMuCuo Dong, Jianlong Liu, Dayang Wang, Guoling Zhong, Xingyue Xiang and Baoqing Zeng
Coatings 2024, 14(5), 545; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings14050545 - 27 Apr 2024
Viewed by 759
Abstract
This paper demonstrates a simple method to improve the field emission of graphene sheets (GSs) by coating them with thin films of rare earth oxides. The rare earth oxide films are coated on GS using drop coating, without changing the surface morphology, resulting [...] Read more.
This paper demonstrates a simple method to improve the field emission of graphene sheets (GSs) by coating them with thin films of rare earth oxides. The rare earth oxide films are coated on GS using drop coating, without changing the surface morphology, resulting in a remarkable improvement in the field emission properties of GSs. The field emission property of GSs is tunable and can be optimized by applying various rare earth oxide films at the appropriate level. It is found that the turn-on field of GSs is reduced from 4.2 V/mm to 1.7 V/mm by Gd2O3 and to 2.2 V/mm by La2O3. The threshold field of GS is also reduced from 7.8 V/mm to 3.4 V/mm and 4.8 V/mm, respectively. Field emission results indicate that the improvement is due to the low work function surface and more effective emission sites generated around the GS surface after coating. The field emission test and the emission pattern suggest that the field emission performance of GS can be significantly enhanced through the application of La2O3 and Gd2O3 coating, as well as by optimizing the concentration of rare earth oxides in the coating. Hence, the rare earth-coated GS can serve as a potential field emitter. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Storage and Conversion: From Materials, Devices to Applications)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 4725 KiB  
Article
Synergistic Defect Management for Boosting the Efficiency of Cu(In,Ga)Se2 Solar Cells
by Wanlei Dai, Zhaoyi Jiang, Yali Sun, Juhua Wang, Zeran Gao, Haoyu Xu, Xinzhan Wang, Chao Gao, Qiang Ma, Yinglong Wang and Wei Yu
Coatings 2024, 14(2), 164; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings14020164 - 26 Jan 2024
Viewed by 878
Abstract
In this study, a feasible strategy is proposed for directly depositing high-quality Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) films using Na-doped targets in a selenium-free atmosphere to boost the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of CIGS solar cells. Introducing a small amount of sodium dopant effectively promoted [...] Read more.
In this study, a feasible strategy is proposed for directly depositing high-quality Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) films using Na-doped targets in a selenium-free atmosphere to boost the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of CIGS solar cells. Introducing a small amount of sodium dopant effectively promoted the textured growth of CIGS crystals in the prepared films, resulting in larger grain sizes and a smoother interface. The higher MoSe2 content at the CIGS/Mo interface increased the carrier lifetime in the films. In addition, sodium doping increased the proportion of Se atoms on the film surface and reduced the concentration of defects caused by the direct sputtering of the films in the selenium-free atmosphere. Therefore, the separation and transportation of photo-generated carriers in the devices were effectively enhanced. Using the optimized parameters, a record-high PCE of 17.26% was achieved for the 7.5% Na-doped devices, which represents an improvement of nearly 63%. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Storage and Conversion: From Materials, Devices to Applications)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

22 pages, 1514 KiB  
Review
Application of Photovoltaic and Solar Thermal Technologies in Buildings: A Mini-Review
by Hua Xiao, Wenjin Lai, Aiguo Chen, Shini Lai, Wenjing He, Xi Deng, Chao Zhang and Hongyun Ren
Coatings 2024, 14(3), 257; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings14030257 - 21 Feb 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2104
Abstract
Buildings account for a significant proportion of total energy consumption. The integration of renewable energy sources is essential to reducing energy demand and achieve sustainable building design. The use of solar energy has great potential for promoting energy efficiency and reducing the environmental [...] Read more.
Buildings account for a significant proportion of total energy consumption. The integration of renewable energy sources is essential to reducing energy demand and achieve sustainable building design. The use of solar energy has great potential for promoting energy efficiency and reducing the environmental impact of energy consumption in buildings. This study examines the applications of photovoltaic and solar thermal technologies in the field of architecture, demonstrating the huge potential of solar energy in building applications. To ensure a fresh and thorough review, we examine literature that encompasses the advancements made in the utilization of solar energy in buildings over the past decade. The key factors to consider in this study are reliability, performance, cost and aesthetics in real applications of photovoltaic and solar thermal technologies in the field of architecture, which have a significant impact on people’s acceptance of solar energy technology. Recent developments in feasible and effective optimization solutions for solar energy technologies are summarized. Accurate and convenient simulation techniques are also summarized for reference. The results show that the rapid progress of BIPV systems is fueled by advancements in three crucial areas: enhancing solar cell and module efficiency, reducing manufacturing costs and achieving a competitive levelized cost of electricity. The results can provide researchers with a reference for understanding recent technological developments in the integration of solar energy into buildings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Storage and Conversion: From Materials, Devices to Applications)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-7
Back to TopTop