Multi-functional electrocatalysts are highly unique in that they display features that include the presence of multiple active sites that can simultaneously catalyse two or more different electrochemical reactions. They are particularly crucial for solving several pressing challenges and consequently are a priority in developing contemporary sustainable energy conversion and storage systems, such as fuel cells, metal–air batteries and electrolysers for green hydrogen production. This book will serve as a valuable reference for graduate students, researchers, and industrial practitioners working on electrochemical energy storage and conversion, electrocatalysis, materials chemistry and green hydrogen technologies.

This book describes the rapidly expanding field of two-dimensional (2D) transition metal carbides and nitrides (MXenes). It covers fundamental knowledge on synthesis, structure, and properties of these new materials, and a description of their processing, scale-up and emerging applications. The ways in which the quickly expanding family of MXenes can outperform other novel nanomaterials in a variety of applications, spanning from energy storage and conversion to electronics; from water science to transportation; and in defense and medical applications, are discussed in detail.

The use of nanomaterials in energy conversion and storage represents an opportunity to improve the performance, density and ease of transportation in renewable resources. This book looks at the most recent research on the topic, with particular focus on artificial photosynthesis and lithium-ion batteries as the most promising technologies to date. Research on the broad subject of energy conversion and storage calls for expertise from a wide range of backgrounds, from the most fundamental perspectives of the key catalytic processes at the molecular level to device scale engineering and optimization. Although the nature of the processes dictates that electrochemistry is a primary characterization tool, due attention is given to advanced techniques such as synchrotron studies in operando. These studies look at the gap between the performance of current technology and what is needed for the future, for example how to improve on the lithium-ion battery and to go beyond its capabilities.Suitable for students and practitioners in the chemical, electrochemical, and environmental sciences, Nanomaterials for Energy Conversion and Storage provides the information needed to find scalable, economically viable and safe solutions for sustainable energy.

Catalysts speed up a chemical reaction or allow for reactions to take place that would not otherwise occur. The chemical nature of a catalyst and its structure are crucial for interactions with reaction intermediates. An electrocatalyst is used in an electrochemical reaction, for example in a fuel cell to produce electricity. In this case, reaction rates are also dependent on the electrode potential and the structure of the electrical double-layer. This work provides a valuable overview of this rapidly developing field by focusing on the aspects that drive the research of today and tomorrow. Key topics are discussed by leading experts, making this book a must-have for many scientists of the field with backgrounds in different disciplines, including chemistry, physics, biochemistry, engineering as well as surface and materials science. This book is volume XIV in the series "Advances in Electrochemical Sciences and Engineering".

The development of nanomaterials plays a fundamental role in current and future technology applications, particularly nanomaterials that have multiple functionalities. This book provides a broad overview of the effect of nanostructuring in the multifunctionality of different widely studied nanomaterials. This book is divided into four sections constituting a road map that groups materials sharing certain types of nanostructuring, including nanoporous, nanoparticled, 2D laminar nanomaterials, and computational methods for characterizations of nanostructures. This structured approach in nanomaterials research will serve as a valuable reference material for chemists, (bio)engineers, physicists, nanotechnologists, undergraduates, and professors.

Dieses klar strukturierte Fachbuch legt den Schwerpunkt auf praktische Anwendungen von Nanokompositen und Nanotechnologien im Rahmen einer nachhaltigen Entwicklung. Es zeigt, wie Nanokomposite zur Lösung von Energie- und Umweltproblemen beitragen können, bietet zusätzlich einen breiten Überblick über Anwendungen im Energiebereich und behandelt eine einzigartige Auswahl an Umweltthemen. Der erste Teil beschäftigt sich mit Anwendungen wie Lithium-Ionen-Batterien, Solarzellen, Katalyse, Gewinnung von Wärme und Energie aus Abfällen mithilfe der Thermoelektrizität und Wasserspaltung. Der zweite Teil beleuchtet in einzigartiger Weise ökologische Themen, darunter Atommüllmanagement sowie die Abscheidung und Speicherung von Kohlendioxid. Dieses Fachbuch vermittelt auf erfolgreiche Weise Grundlagenwissen für Einsteiger als auch die neuesten Erkenntnisse für erfahrene Wissenschaftler, Ingenieure und Forscher aus der Industrie.

This book covers all the proposed fuel cell systems including PEMFC, SOFC, PAFC, MCFC, regenerative fuel cells, direct alcohol fuel cells, and small fuel cells to replace batteries.

This book describes a science and technology of a new type of electrocatalysts consisting of a single atomic layer of platinum on suitable supports. This development helped overcome three major obstacles—catalysts‘ cost, activity, and stability—for a broad range of fuel cell applications. The volume begins with a short introduction to the science of electrocatalysis, covering four reactions important for energy conversion in fuel cells. A description follows of the properties of metal monolayers on electrode surfaces, and underpotential deposition of metals. The authors then describe the concept of Pt monolayer electrocatalysts and its implications and their synthesis by galvanic displacement of less-noble metal monolayers and other methods. The main part of the book presents a discussion of catalysts’ characterization and catalytic properties of Pt monolayers for the four main reactions of electrochemical energy conversion: oxygen reduction and oxidation of hydrogen, methanol and ethanol. The book concludes with a treatment of scale-up syntheses, fuel cell tests, catalysts’ stability and application prospects.

A comprehensive overview of the research developments in the burgeoning field of metal-air batteries An innovation in battery science and technology is necessary to build better power sources for our modern lifestyle needs. One of the main fields being explored for the possible breakthrough is the development of metal-air batteries. Metal-Air Batteries: Fundamentals and Applications offers a systematic summary of the fundamentals of the technology and explores the most recent advances in the applications of metal-air batteries. Comprehensive in scope, the text explains the basics in electrochemical batteries and introduces various species of metal-air batteries. The author-a noted expert in the field-explores the development of metal-air batteries in the order of Li-air battery, sodium-air battery, zinc-air battery and Mg-O2 battery, with the focus on the Li-air battery. The text also addresses topics such as metallic anode, discharge products, parasitic reactions, electrocatalysts, mediator, and X-ray diffraction study in Li-air battery. Metal-Air Batteries provides a summary of future perspectives in the field of the metal-air batteries. This important resource: -Covers various species of metal-air batteries and their components as well as system designation -Contains groundbreaking content that reviews recent advances in the field of metal-air batteries -Focuses on the battery systems which have the greatest potential for renewable energy storage Written for electrochemists, physical chemists, materials scientists, professionals in the electrotechnical industry, engineers in power technology, Metal-Air Batteries offers a review of the fundamentals and the most recent developments in the area of metal-air batteries.

Nanostructured, Functional, and Flexible Materials for Energy Conversion and Storage Systems gathers and reviews developments within the field of nanostructured functional materials towards energy conversion and storage. Contributions from leading research groups involved in interdisciplinary research in the fields of chemistry, physics and materials science and engineering are presented. Chapters dealing with the development of nanostructured materials for energy conversion processes, including oxygen reduction, methanol oxidation, oxygen evolution, hydrogen evolution, formic acid oxidation and solar cells are discussed. The work concludes with a look at the application of nanostructured functional materials in energy storage system, such as supercapacitors and batteries. With its distinguished international team of expert contributors, this book will be an indispensable tool for anyone involved in the field of energy conversion and storage, including materials engineers, scientists and academics. Covers the importance of energy conversion and storage systems and the application of nanostructured functional materials toward energy-relevant catalytic processes Discusses the basic principles involved in energy conversion and storage systems Presents the role of nanostructured functional materials in the current scenario of energy-related research and development