Nanotechnology for the Energy Challenge

Nanotechnology allows for manipulating matter at the nanoscale with unprecedented accuracy and as such holds the promise of providing new materials with distinctly different properties. In recent years, breakthroughs in nanotechnology, especially in their applications in the energy sector, have opened up the possibility of moving beyond conventional energy generation approaches by introducing technologies that are more efficient, environmentally sound and cost effective. The book brings together some of the world's leading experts in nanotechnology and its applications in the energy sector, each covering a specific subject that falls within three general aspects: production, storage and use of energy. The first part covers the main developments of nanotechnology in clean energy production and conversion. Following a general overview on the contributions of nanomaterials for energy production, further chapters elaborate on specific topics such as photodevices,
thermoelectric materials and fuel cells. The second part is concerned with the use of nanomaterials in more efficient energy storage systems like batteries, superconductors and materials for hydrogen storage. The third and last part discusses how nanotechnology can lead to a more efficient energy usage while reducing the negative impact to the environment.

After the successful first edition of this book Nanotechnology for the Energy Challenge, the second edition has been extensively updated to include the latest progress in this field. It includes three new chapters on graphene, piezoelectric nanomaterials, and nanocatalysts for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis.

Praise for the first edition:

'The book has a good index of technical terms, good quality graphical illustrations and a good reference list for further information. The book, which can be read either as a monograph, or by dipping into chapters of interest, should be of value to all researchers in energy and
nanotechnology.' (Chemistry World, July 2010)

'A "must" for those with a science education and an interest in the future of our energy supply, storage and use.' (Chemistry International, March 2010)

'[...] this book brings under a single cover the major aspects of nanomaterials research for the energy sector and will have a profound impact on the research and development of nanomaterials for sustainable energy solutions. It is highly recommended for chemists, physicists, material scientists and engineers looking for an insight into the global energy challenge and the possible contribution nanotechnology can make.' (Prof. Sanjay Mathur, University of Cologne)

Auteur
Javier Garcia-Martinez is Director of the Molecular Nanotechnology Lab at the University of Alicante, Spain. He has published extensively in the areas of nanomaterials and energy and is the author of more than 25 patents. He is a cofounder of Rive Technology, Inc. (Boston, MA), a venture capital-funded Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) spin-off commercializing advanced nanomaterials for energy applications. He has received the Europe Medal in 2005, the Silver Medal of the European Young Chemist Award in 2006, and the TR 35 Award from MIT's Technology Review magazine; in 2009, he was selected as a Young Global Leader. Since 2010, he is member of the World Economic Forum Council on Emerging Technologies. He is Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, member of the Global Young Academy and Bureau member of the IUPAC.

Résumé

With the daunting energy challenges faced by Mankind in the 21st century, revolutionary new technologies will be the key to a clean, secure and sustainable energy future. Nanostructures often have surprising and very useful capabilities and are thus paving the way for new methodologies in almost every kind of industry.

This exceptional monograph provides an overview of the subject, and presents the current state of the art with regard to different aspects of sustainable production, efficient storage and low-impact use of energy.

Comprised of eighteen chapters, the book is divided in three thematic parts:

Part I Sustainable Energy Production covers the main developments of nanotechnology in clean energy production and conversion, including photovoltaics, hydrogen production, thermal-electrical energy conversion and fuel cells.

Part II Efficient Energy Storage is concerned with the potential use of nanomaterials in more efficient energy storage systems such as advanced batteries, supercapacitors and hydrogen storage.

Part III Energy Sustainability shows how nanotechnology helps to use energy more efficiently, and the mitigation of impacts to the environment, with special emphasis on energy savings through green nanofabrication, advanced catalysis, nanostructured light-emitting and eletrochromic devices and CO2 capture by nanoporous materials .

An essential addition to any bookshelf, it will be invaluable to a variety of research fields including materials science, chemical engineering, solid state, surface, industrial, and physical chemistry, as this is a subject that is very interdisciplinary.

Contenu
PREFACE TO THE 2ND EDITION

PREFACE TO THE 1ST EDITION

PART ONE: Sustainable Energy Production

NANOTECHNOLOGY FOR ENERGY PRODUCTION
Energy Challenges in the Twenty-first Century and Nanotechnology
Nanotechnology in Energy Production
New Opportunities
Outlook and Future Trends

NANOTECHNOLOGY IN DYE-SENSITIZED PHOTOELECTROCHEMICAL DEVICES
Introduction
Semiconductors and Optical Absorption
Dye Molecular Engineering
The Stable Self-Assembling Dye Monomolecular Layer
The Nanostructured Semiconductor
Recent Research Trends
Conclusions

THERMAL-ELECTRICAL ENERGY CONVERSION FROM THE NANOTECHNOLOGY PERSPECTIVE
Introduction
Established Bulk Thermoelectric Materials
Selection Criteria for Bulk Thermoelectric Materials
Survey of Size Effects
Thermoelectric Properties on the Nanoscale: Modeling and Metrology
Experimental Results and Discussions
Summary and Perspectives

PIEZOELECTRIC AND PIEZOTRONIC EFFECTS IN ENERGY HARVESTING AND CONVERSION
Introduction
Piezoelectric Effect
Piezoelectric Nanomaterials for Mechanical Energy Harvesting
Piezocatalysis -
Conversion between Mechanical and Chemical Energies
Piezotronics for Enhanced Energy Conversion
Perspectives and Conclusion

GRAPHENE FOR ENERGY PRODUCTION AND STORAGE APPLICATIONS
Introduction
Graphene Supercapacitors
Graphene as a Battery/Lithium-Ion Storage
Graphene in Energy Generation Devices
Conclusions/Outlook

NANOMATERIALS FOR FUEL CELL TECHNOLOGIES
Introduction
Low-Temperature Fuel Cells
High-Temperature Fuel Cells
Conclusions

NANOCATALYSIS FOR IRON-CATALYZED FISCHER -
TROPSCH SYNTHESIS: ONE PERSPECTIVE
Introduction
Nanocatalyst -
Wax Separation
Summary

THE CONTRIBUTION OF NANOTECHNOLOGY TO HYDROGEN PRODUCTION
Introduction
Hydrogen Production by Semiconductor Nanomaterials
Summary

PART TWO: Efficient Energy Storage

NANOSTRUCTURED MATERIALS FOR HYDROGEN STORAGE
Introduction
Hydrogen Storage by Physisorption
Hydrogen Storage by Chemisorption
Summary

ELECTROCHEMICAL ENERGY STORAGE: THE BENEFITS OF NANOMATERIALS
Introduction
Nanomaterials for Energy Storage
Nanostructured Electrodes and Interfaces for the Electrochemical Storage of Energy
Conclusion

CARBON-BASED NANOMATERIALS FOR ELECTROCHEMICAL ENERGY STORAGE
Introduction
Nanotexture and Surface Functionality of sp2 Carbons
Supercapacitors
Lithium-Ion Batteries
Conclusions

NANOTECHNOLOGIES TO ENABLE HIGH-PERFORMANCE SUPERCONDUCTORS FOR ENERGY APPLICATIONS
Overcoming Limitations to Superconductors - Performance
Flux Pinning by Nanoscale Defe…