Nanostructure in energy conversion

Saskia Buller, Jennifer Strunk

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

76 Scopus citations

Abstract

Nanostructured and nanosized materials are widely applied to tackle the pressing challenges associated with energy conversion. In this conceptual review, rather than highlighting separate examples, we aim to give a general overview about where and how nanostructure design can be beneficial in the three major research fields (photo)thermal chemical energy conversion, electrochemical energy conversion, and solar energy conversion. It will be shown that in many cases the design of catalytically active nanostructures is the main task and that especially for catalysts nanostructure and activity are inseparably linked to each other. Moreover, electrochemical and photochemical processes are complicated by the overlap of multiple processes that all need to be optimized, including in particular light absorption, charge migration, recombination and trapping events and surface processes. It will also be shown how the development of materials for new challenges can often be based on our knowledge on existing materials for related applications.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)171-190
Number of pages20
JournalJournal of Energy Chemistry
Volume25
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Mar 2016
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Electrochemical energy
  • Nanostructure
  • Renewable energy
  • Solar power

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