One-Dimensional (1D) Nanostructured Materials for Energy Applications

At present, the world is at the peak of production of traditional fossil fuels. Much of the resources that humanity has been consuming (oil, coal, and natural gas) are coming to an end. The human being faces a future that must necessarily go through a paradigm shift, which includes a progressive movement towards increasingly less polluting and energetically viable resources. In this sense, nanotechnology has a transcendental role in this change. For decades, new materials capable of being used in energy processes have been synthesized, which undoubtedly will be the cornerstone of the future development of the planet. In this review, we report on the current progress in the synthesis and use of one-dimensional (1D) nanostructured materials (specifically nanowires, nanofibers, nanotubes, and nanorods), with compositions based on oxides, nitrides, or metals, for applications related to energy. Due to its extraordinary surface–volume relationship, tunable thermal and transport properties, and its high surface area, these 1D nanostructures have become fundamental elements for the development of energy processes. The most relevant 1D nanomaterials, their different synthesis procedures, and useful methods for assembling 1D nanostructures in functional devices will be presented. Applications in relevant topics such as optoelectronic and photochemical devices, hydrogen production, or energy storage, among others, will be discussed. The present review concludes with a forecast on the directions towards which future research could be directed on this class of nanostructured materials.

One-dimensional (1D) Nanostructured Materials for Energy Applications

At present, the world is at the peak of production of traditional fossil fuels. Much of the resources that humanity has been consuming (oil, coal and natural gas) are coming to an end. The human being faces a future that must necessarily go through a paradigm shift, which includes a progressive movement towards increasingly less polluting and energetically viable resources. In this sense, nanotechnology has a transcendental role in this change. For decades, new materials capable of being used in energy processes have been synthesized that undoubtedly will be the cornerstone of the future development of the planet. In this review, we report on the current progress in the synthesis and use of one-dimensional (1D) nanostructured materials (specifically nanowires, nanofibers, nanotubes and nanorods), with compositions based on oxides, nitrides, or metals, for applications related to energy. Due to its extraordinary surface-volume relationship, tunable thermal and transport properties, and its high surface area, these 1D nanostructures have become fundamental elements for the development of energy processes. The most relevant 1D nanomaterials, their different synthesis procedures, and useful methods for assembling 1D nanostructures in functional devices will be presented. Applications in relevant topics such as optoelectronic and photochemical devices, hydrogen production or energy storage, among others, will be discussed. The present review concludes with a forecast on the directions towards which future research could be directed on this class of nanostructured materials.

Synthesis of Co–Fe 1D Nanocone Array Electrodes Using Aluminum Oxide Template

Porous anodic alumina oxide (AAO) obtained via two-step anodization is a material commonly used as a template for fabricating 1D nanostructures. In this work, copper and cobalt-iron 1D nanocones were obtained by an electrodeposition method using AAO templates. The templates were produced using two-step anodization in H2C2O4. The Co–Fe nanostructures are characterized by homogeneous pore distribution. The electrocatalytic activity of the produced nanomaterials was determined in 1 M NaOH using the linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) and chronopotentiometry (CP) methods. These materials can be used as catalysts in the water-splitting reaction. The sample’s active surface area was calculated and compared with bulk materials.

Smart Supramolecular Nanofibers and Nanoribbons from Uniform Amphiphilic Azobenzene Oligomers

A series of self-assembled 1D nanostructures including the straight and helix nanofibers, nanoribbons, and nanobelts were fabricated from uniform amphiphilic azobenzene oligomers with tunable molecular weight and side chain functionality,...

Roughening transition as a driving factor in the formation of self-ordered one-dimensional nanostructures

Peculiar scenarios in the dynamics of BCC and FCC 1D-nanostructures leading to the formation of ultra-short, and sometimes stable, high-amplitude surface modulations are analysed and the means of achieving the desired periodicity are discussed.

Interfaces determine the nucleation and growth of large NbS2 single crystals

The role of interfaces in facilitating the growth of conventional 1D nanostructures is well established. Apparently, the presence of interfaces is also decisive in the growth of 2D transition metal...