Applications of Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology in Energy Storage Device

A special issue of Nanomaterials (ISSN 2079-4991). This special issue belongs to the section "Energy and Catalysis".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2022) | Viewed by 28983

Special Issue Editor

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Over the past few decades, there have been increasing demands globally for high-efficiency energy storage devices to power various electronics including cellular phones, laptop computers, and digital cameras. The demands are recently rapidly growing due to emerging applications of energy storage in the new generation of electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, smart grids, and electrical energy storage from wind and solar power.

Nanomaterials and nanotechnology have been extensively studied for realizing high-efficiency and next-generation energy storage devices. The high surface-to-volume ratio and short diffusion pathways of nano-sized materials can achieve large power density as well as energy density. Their various synthesis and functionalization methods enable mass production of energy storage devices.

In this Special Issue of Nanomaterials, we present the recent advancements in nanomaterials and nanotechnology for energy storage devices including, but not limited to, batteries, Li-ion batteries, Li-sulfur batteries, electric double-layer capacitors, hybrid capacitors, and fuel cells.

Prof. Dr. Joonho Bae
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • energy storage
  • Li ion battery
  • Li-sulfur battery
  • Li-air battery
  • supercapacitor
  • electric double layer capacitor
  • hybrid capaictors
  • fuel cells

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Editorial

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2 pages, 163 KiB  
Editorial
Applications of Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology in Energy Storage Device
by Joonho Bae
Nanomaterials 2022, 12(24), 4353; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12244353 - 7 Dec 2022
Viewed by 2137
Abstract
Nanomaterials and nanotechnology have played central roles in the realization of high-efficiency and next-generation energy storage devices [...] Full article

Research

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12 pages, 3399 KiB  
Article
Vanadium Carbide (V4C3) MXene as an Efficient Anode for Li-Ion and Na-Ion Batteries
by Qiong Peng, Javed Rehman, Kamel Eid, Ayman S. Alofi, Amel Laref, Munirah D. Albaqami, Reham Ghazi Alotabi and Mohamed F. Shibl
Nanomaterials 2022, 12(16), 2825; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12162825 - 17 Aug 2022
Cited by 51 | Viewed by 3794
Abstract
Li-ion batteries (LIBs) and Na-ion batteries (SIBs) are deemed green and efficient electrochemical energy storage and generation devices; meanwhile, acquiring a competent anode remains a serious challenge. Herein, the density-functional theory (DFT) was employed to investigate the performance of V4C3 [...] Read more.
Li-ion batteries (LIBs) and Na-ion batteries (SIBs) are deemed green and efficient electrochemical energy storage and generation devices; meanwhile, acquiring a competent anode remains a serious challenge. Herein, the density-functional theory (DFT) was employed to investigate the performance of V4C3 MXene as an anode for LIBs and SIBs. The results predict the outstanding electrical conductivity when Li/Na is loaded on V4C3. Both Li2xV4C3 and Na2xV4C3 (x = 0.125, 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2) showed expected low-average open-circuit voltages of 0.38 V and 0.14 V, respectively, along with a good Li/Na storage capacity of (223 mAhg−1) and a good cycling performance. Furthermore, there was a low diffusion barrier of 0.048 eV for Li0.0625V4C3 and 0.023 eV for Na0.0625V4C3, implying the prompt intercalation/extraction of Li/Na. Based on the findings of the current study, V4C3-based materials may be utilized as an anode for Li/Na-ion batteries in future applications. Full article
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14 pages, 3602 KiB  
Article
High Power Generation with Reducing Agents Using Compost Soil as a Novel Electrocatalyst for Ammonium Fuel Cells
by Verjesh Kumar Magotra, Seung Joo Lee, Tae Won Kang, Akbar I. Inamdar, Deuk Young Kim, Hyunsik Im and Hee Chang Jeon
Nanomaterials 2022, 12(8), 1281; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12081281 - 9 Apr 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2502
Abstract
Ammonium toxicity is a significant source of pollution from industrial civilization that is disrupting the balance of natural systems, adversely affecting soil and water quality, and causing several environmental problems that affect aquatic and human life, including the strong promotion of eutrophication and [...] Read more.
Ammonium toxicity is a significant source of pollution from industrial civilization that is disrupting the balance of natural systems, adversely affecting soil and water quality, and causing several environmental problems that affect aquatic and human life, including the strong promotion of eutrophication and increased dissolved oxygen consumption. Thus, a cheap catalyst is required for power generation and detoxification. Herein, compost soil is employed as a novel electrocatalyst for ammonium degradation and high-power generation. Moreover, its effect on catalytic activity and material performances is systematically optimized and compared by treating it with various reducing agents, including potassium ferricyanide, ferrocyanide, and manganese dioxide. Ammonium fuel was supplied to the compost soil ammonium fuel cell (CS-AFC) at concentrations of 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3 g/mL. The overall results show that ferricyanide affords a maximum power density of 1785.20 mW/m2 at 0.2 g/mL fuel concentration. This study focuses on high-power generation for CS-AFC. CS-AFCs are sustainable for many hours without any catalyst deactivation; however, they need to be refueled at regular intervals (every 12 h). Moreover, CS-AFCs afford the best performance when ferricyanide is used as the electron acceptor at the cathode. This study proposes a cheap electrocatalyst and possible solutions to the more serious energy generation problems. This study will help in recycling ammonium-rich wastewaters as free fuel for running CS-AFC devices to yield high-power generation with reducing agents for ammonium fuel cell power applications. Full article
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12 pages, 3076 KiB  
Article
Carbon Nano-Fiber/PDMS Composite Used as Corrosion-Resistant Coating for Copper Anodes in Microbial Fuel Cells
by Fatma Bensalah, Julien Pézard, Naoufel Haddour, Mohsen Erouel, François Buret and Kamel Khirouni
Nanomaterials 2021, 11(11), 3144; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11113144 - 21 Nov 2021
Cited by 19 | Viewed by 2621
Abstract
The development of high-performance anode materials is one of the greatest challenges for the practical implementation of Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC) technology. Copper (Cu) has a much higher electrical conductivity than carbon-based materials usually used as anodes in MFCs. However, it is an [...] Read more.
The development of high-performance anode materials is one of the greatest challenges for the practical implementation of Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC) technology. Copper (Cu) has a much higher electrical conductivity than carbon-based materials usually used as anodes in MFCs. However, it is an unsuitable anode material, in raw state, for MFC application due to its corrosion and its toxicity to microorganisms. In this paper, we report the development of a Cu anode material coated with a corrosion-resistant composite made of Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) doped with carbon nanofiber (CNF). The surface modification method was optimized for improving the interfacial electron transfer of Cu anodes for use in MFCs. Characterization of CNF-PDMS composites doped at different weight ratios demonstrated that the best electrical conductivity and electrochemical properties are obtained at 8% weight ratio of CNF/PDMS mixture. Electrochemical characterization showed that the corrosion rate of Cu electrode in acidified solution decreased from (17 ± 6) × 103 μm y−1 to 93 ± 23 μm y−1 after CNF-PDMS coating. The performance of Cu anodes coated with different layer thicknesses of CNF-PDMS (250 µm, 500 µm, and 1000 µm), was evaluated in MFC. The highest power density of 70 ± 8 mW m−2 obtained with 500 µm CNF-PDMS was about 8-times higher and more stable than that obtained through galvanic corrosion of unmodified Cu. Consequently, the followed process improves the performance of Cu anode for MFC applications. Full article
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13 pages, 15431 KiB  
Article
HKUST-1@IL-Li Solid-state Electrolyte with 3D Ionic Channels and Enhanced Fast Li+ Transport for Lithium Metal Batteries at High Temperature
by Man Li, Tao Chen, Seunghyun Song, Yang Li and Joonho Bae
Nanomaterials 2021, 11(3), 736; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11030736 - 15 Mar 2021
Cited by 27 | Viewed by 4975
Abstract
The challenge of safety problems in lithium batteries caused by conventional electrolytes at high temperatures is addressed in this study. A novel solid electrolyte (HKUST-1@IL-Li) was fabricated by immobilizing ionic liquid ([EMIM][TFSI]) in the nanopores of a HKUST-1 metal–organic framework. 3D angstrom-level ionic [...] Read more.
The challenge of safety problems in lithium batteries caused by conventional electrolytes at high temperatures is addressed in this study. A novel solid electrolyte (HKUST-1@IL-Li) was fabricated by immobilizing ionic liquid ([EMIM][TFSI]) in the nanopores of a HKUST-1 metal–organic framework. 3D angstrom-level ionic channels of the metal–organic framework (MOF) host were used to restrict electrolyte anions and acted as “highways” for fast Li+ transport. In addition, lower interfacial resistance between HKUST-1@IL-Li and electrodes was achieved by a wetted contact through open tunnels at the atomic scale. Excellent high thermal stability up to 300 °C and electrochemical properties are observed, including ionic conductivities and Li+ transference numbers of 0.68 × 10−4 S·cm−1 and 0.46, respectively, at 25 °C, and 6.85 × 10−4 S·cm−1 and 0.68, respectively, at 100 °C. A stable Li metal plating/stripping process was observed at 100 °C, suggesting an effectively suppressed growth of Li dendrites. The as-fabricated LiFePO4/HKUST-1@IL-Li/Li solid-state battery exhibits remarkable performance at high temperature with an initial discharge capacity of 144 mAh·g−1 at 0.5 C and a high capacity retention of 92% after 100 cycles. Thus, the solid electrolyte in this study demonstrates promising applicability in lithium metal batteries with high performance under extreme thermal environmental conditions. Full article
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13 pages, 8043 KiB  
Article
Nanocrystalline TiO2/Carbon/Sulfur Composite Cathodes for Lithium–Sulfur Battery
by Markéta Zukalová, Monika Vinarčíková, Milan Bouša and Ladislav Kavan
Nanomaterials 2021, 11(2), 541; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11020541 - 20 Feb 2021
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2775
Abstract
This paper evaluates the influence of the morphology, surface area, and surface modification of carbonaceous additives on the performance of the corresponding cathode in a lithium–sulfur battery. The structure of sulfur composite cathodes with mesoporous carbon, activated carbon, and electrochemical carbon is studied [...] Read more.
This paper evaluates the influence of the morphology, surface area, and surface modification of carbonaceous additives on the performance of the corresponding cathode in a lithium–sulfur battery. The structure of sulfur composite cathodes with mesoporous carbon, activated carbon, and electrochemical carbon is studied by X-ray diffraction, nitrogen adsorption measurements, and Raman spectroscopy. The sulfur cathode containing electrochemical carbon with the specific surface area of 1606.6 m2 g−1 exhibits the best electrochemical performance and provides a charge capacity of almost 650 mAh g−1 in cyclic voltammetry at a 0.1 mV s−1 scan rate and up to 1300 mAh g−1 in galvanostatic chronopotentiometry at a 0.1 C rate. This excellent electrochemical behavior is ascribed to the high dispersity of electrochemical carbon, enabling a perfect encapsulation of sulfur. The surface modification of carbonaceous additives by TiO2 has a positive effect on the electrochemical performance of sulfur composites with mesoporous and activated carbons, but it causes a loss of dispersity and a consequent decrease of the charge capacity of the sulfur composite with electrochemical carbon. The composite of sulfur with TiO2-modified activated carbon exhibited the charge capacity of 393 mAh g−1 in cyclic voltammetry and up to 493 mAh g−1 in galvanostatic chronopotentiometry. The presence of an additional Sigracell carbon felt interlayer further improves the electrochemical performance of cells with activated carbon, electrochemical carbon, and nanocrystalline TiO2-modified activated carbon. This positive effect is most pronounced in the case of activated carbon modified by nanocrystalline TiO2. However, it is not boosted by additional coverage by TiO2 or SnO2, which is probably due to the blocking of pores. Full article
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Other

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22 pages, 4238 KiB  
Perspective
Perspectives on Nickel Hydroxide Electrodes Suitable for Rechargeable Batteries: Electrolytic vs. Chemical Synthesis Routes
by Baladev Ash, Venkata Swamy Nalajala, Ashok Kumar Popuri, Tondepu Subbaiah and Manickam Minakshi
Nanomaterials 2020, 10(9), 1878; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano10091878 - 19 Sep 2020
Cited by 41 | Viewed by 6829
Abstract
A significant amount of work on electrochemical energy storage focuses mainly on current lithium-ion systems with the key markets being portable and transportation applications. There is a great demand for storing higher capacity (mAh/g) and energy density (Wh/kg) of the electrode material for [...] Read more.
A significant amount of work on electrochemical energy storage focuses mainly on current lithium-ion systems with the key markets being portable and transportation applications. There is a great demand for storing higher capacity (mAh/g) and energy density (Wh/kg) of the electrode material for electronic and vehicle applications. However, for stationary applications, where weight is not as critical, nickel-metal hydride (Mi-MH) technologies can be considered with tolerance to deep discharge conditions. Nickel hydroxide has gained importance as it is used as the positive electrode in nickel-metal hydride and other rechargeable batteries such as Ni-Fe and Ni-Cd systems. Nickel hydroxide is manufactured industrially by chemical methods under controlled conditions. However, the electrochemical route is relatively better than the chemical counterpart. In the electrochemical route, a well-regulated OH is generated at the cathode forming nickel hydroxide (Ni(OH)2) through controlling and optimizing the current density. It produces nickel hydroxide of better purity with an appropriate particle size, well-oriented morphology, structure, et cetera, and this approach is found to be environmentally friendly. The structures of the nickel hydroxide and its production technologies are presented. The mechanisms of product formation in both chemical and electrochemical preparation of nickel hydroxide have been presented along with the feasibility of producing pure nickel hydroxide in this review. An advanced Ni(OH)2-polymer embedded electrode has been reported in the literature but may not be suitable for scalable electrochemical methods. To the best of our knowledge, no such insights on the Ni(OH)2 synthesis route for battery applications has been presented in the literature. Full article
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