Smart fibers for energy conversion and storage

Global demand of energy is increasing at an alarming rate, and nanotechnology is being looked at as a potential solution to meet this challenge (Holtren, 2007). Although the efficiency of energy conversion and storage devices depends on a variety of factors, the overall performance strongly relies on the structure and properties of the component materials (Whitesides, 2007). Compared to conventional materials, silicon (Si) nanostructures and graphene nanosheets possess unique properties (i.e. morphological, electrical, optical, and mechanical) useful for enhancing the energy-conversion and storage performances. Graphene can enhance efficiency of nano-Si based solar cells and battery due to its high electronic conductivity, ultrahigh mobility, high transparency, and strong mechanical property. This chapter provides a comprehensive review of recent progress and material challenges in energy conversion (solar cells) and storage (batteries/supercapacitors) with specific focus on composites of Si nanostructures-graphene nanosheets.

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Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) electrodes for energy conversion and storage: a review on photoelectrochemical water splitting, solar cells and supercapacitors

Journal of Materials Chemistry A ◽

10.1039/c8ta08001a ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 6 (45) ◽

pp. 22346-22380 ◽

Cited By ~ 80

Author(s):

Javad Safaei ◽

Nurul Aida Mohamed ◽

Mohamad Firdaus Mohamad Noh ◽

Mohd Fairuz Soh ◽

Norasikin Ahmad Ludin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Solar Cells ◽

Energy Conversion ◽

Water Splitting ◽

Carbon Nitride ◽

Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting ◽

Graphitic Carbon Nitride ◽

Fuel Conversion ◽

Energy Conversion And Storage ◽

P Application ◽

And Storage

Application of g-C3N4 in energy conversion and storage such as solar to fuel conversion, solar cells and supercapacitors.

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CdTe and Si SOLAR CELL PERFORMANCE COMPARISON IN A NEW SYSTEM FOR SOLAR ENERGY CONVERSION AND STORAGE

Modern Physics Letters B ◽

10.1142/s0217984901002087 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 15 (17n19) ◽

pp. 597-600

Author(s):

E. MORALES-SÁNCHEZ ◽

J. GONZÁLEZ-HERNÁNDEZ ◽

R. RAMÍREZ-BON ◽

F. ESPINOZA-BELTRÁN ◽

Y. VOROBIEV ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Solar Cells ◽

Solar Energy ◽

Energy Conversion ◽

Electric Energy ◽

Solar Energy Conversion ◽

Performance Comparison ◽

Solar Cell Performance ◽

Energy Conversion And Storage ◽

And Storage ◽

New System

A new system for the effective conversion and storage of solar energy using CdTe and Si based photovoltaic solar cells and the Li- Bi 2 Se 3 rechargable batteries was created and studied. PV Solar Cells with the different types of structure and barrier were studied (Shottky. MIS with thin insulating layer, and p-n junction), employing low-temperature and high-temperature technological cycles. The influence of the technological details upon the electrical parameters as well as the efficiency and stability of their performance were analyzed, and also the condition for improving the efficiency were found. In particular, it was established that Zn-doping of CdTe and the Al alloying to Si at 800°C have a profound effect upon the PV cell characteristics. The influence of the recombination in different parts of the cell upon the cell's efficiency and the recombination dependence upon the technological features were investigated. A comparison of the performance and fabrication cost of the new systems for solar energy conversion and storage with others using conventional cells and batteries is made. It is shown that newly developed systems could provide a global efficiency close to that for traditional ones, with simpler and cheaper technology. With some modifications of the technology, we expect to get even higher efficiencies and a wider system operation temperature range. The possibilities are discussed for the creation of a hybrid energy conversion system on the basis of our cells and batteries, with an overall efficiency of transformation of solar-to-electric energy around 40%.

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