Metal Oxide-Based Nanostructured Electrocatalysts for Fuel Cells, Electrolyzers, and Metal-Air Batteries


Book Description

Metal Oxide-Based Nanostructured Electrocatalysts for Fuel Cells, Electrolyzers, and Metal-Air Batteries is a comprehensive book summarizing the recent overview of these new materials developed to date. The book is motivated by research that focuses on the reduction of noble metal content in catalysts to reduce the cost associated to the entire system. Metal oxides gained significant interest in heterogeneous catalysis for basic research and industrial deployment. Metal Oxide-Based Nanostructured Electrocatalysts for Fuel Cells, Electrolyzers, and Metal-Air Batteries puts these opportunities and challenges into a broad context, discusses the recent researches and technological advances, and finally provides several pathways and guidelines that could inspire the development of ground-breaking electrochemical devices for energy production or storage. Its primary focus is how materials development is an important approach to produce electricity for key applications such as automotive and industrial. The book is appropriate for those working in academia and R&D in the disciplines of materials science, chemistry, electrochemistry, and engineering. - Includes key aspects of materials design to improve the performance of electrode materials for energy conversion and storage device applications - Reviews emerging metal oxide materials for hydrogen production, hydrogen oxidation, oxygen reduction and oxygen evolution - Discusses metal oxide electrocatalysts for water-splitting, metal-air batteries, electrolyzer, and fuel cell applications




Solution Methods for Metal Oxide Nanostructures


Book Description

Solution Methods for Metal Oxide Nanostructures reviews solution processes that are used for synthesizing 1D, 2D and 3D metal oxide nanostructures in either thin film or in powder form for various applications. Wet-chemical synthesis methods deal with chemical reactions in the solution phase using precursors at proper experimental conditions. Wet-chemical synthesis routes offer a high degree of controllability and reproducibility for 2D nanomaterial fabrication. Solvothermal synthesis, template synthesis, self-assembly, oriented attachment, hot-injection, and interface-mediated synthesis are the main wet-chemical synthesis routes for 2D nanomaterials. Solution Methods for Metal Oxide Nanostructures also addresses the thin film deposition metal oxides nanostructures, which plays a very important role in many areas of chemistry, physics and materials science.Each chapter includes information on a key solution method and their application in the design of metal oxide nanostructured materials with optimized properties for important applications. The pros and cons of the solution method and their significance and future scope is also discussed in each chapter. Readers are provided with the fundamental understanding of the key concepts of solution synthesis methods for fabricating materials and the information needed to help them select the appropriate method for the desired application. - Reviews the most relevant wet chemical solution methods for metal oxide nanostructures, including sol-gel, solvothermal, hydrothermal, co-precipitation methods, and more - Addresses thin film deposition techniques for metal oxide nanostructures, such as spray-pyrolysis, electrodeposition, spin coating and self-assembly - Discusses the pros and cons of each solution method and its significance and future opportunities




Metal Oxides and Related Solids for Electrocatalytic Water Splitting


Book Description

Metal Oxides and Related Solids for Electrocatalytic Water Splitting reviews the fundamentals and strategies needed to design and fabricate metal oxide-based electrocatalysts. After an introduction to the key properties of transition metal oxides, materials engineering methods to optimize the performance of metal-oxide based electrocatalysts are discussed. Strategies reviewed include defect engineering, interface engineering and doping engineering. Other sections cover important categories of metal-oxide (and related solids) based catalysts, including layered hydroxides, metal chalcogenides, metal phosphides, metal nitrides, metal borides, and more. Each chapter introduces important properties and material design strategies, including composite and morphology design. There is also an emphasis on cost-effective materials design and fabrication for optimized performance for electrocatalytic water splitting applications. Lastly, the book touches on recently developed in-situ characterization methods applied to observe and control the material synthesis process. - Introduces metal oxide-based materials for electrocatalytic water splitting applications, including their key properties, synthesis, design and fabrication strategies - Reviews the most relevant materials design strategies, including defect engineering, interface engineering, and doping engineering - Discusses the pros and cons of metal oxide-based materials for water splitting applications to aid in materials selection




Nanostructured Zinc Oxide


Book Description

Nanostructured Zinc Oxide covers the various routes for the synthesis of different types of nanostructured zinc oxide including; 1D (nanorods, nanowires etc.), 2D and 3D (nanosheets, nanoparticles, nanospheres etc.). This comprehensive overview provides readers with a clear understanding of the various parameters controlling morphologies. The book also reviews key properties of ZnO including optical, electronic, thermal, piezoelectric and surface properties and techniques in order to tailor key properties. There is a large emphasis in the book on ZnO nanostructures and their role in optoelectronics. ZnO is very interesting and widely investigated material for a number of applications. This book presents up-to-date information about the ZnO nanostructures-based applications such as gas sensing, pH sensing, photocatalysis, antibacterial activity, drug delivery, and electrodes for optoelectronics. - Reviews methods to synthesize, tailor, and characterize 1D, 2D, and 3D zinc oxide nanostructured materials - Discusses key properties of zinc oxide nanostructured materials including optical, electronic, thermal, piezoelectric, and surface properties - Addresses most relevant zinc oxide applications in optoelectronics such as light-emitting diodes, solar cells, and sensors




Metal Oxide-Based Nanofibers and Their Applications


Book Description

Metal Oxide-based Nanofibers and their Applications provides an in-depth overview on developments surrounding the synthesis, characterization properties, and applications achieved by scientific leaders in the area. Sections deal with the theoretical and experimental aspects of the synthesis and methodologies to control microstructure, composition and shape of the nanofibrous metal oxides, review the applications of metal oxide nanofibers in diverse technologies, with special focus on the relation between the structural, morphological and compositional features of the nanofibers, cover applications of metal oxide nanofibers in the fields of sensing (biosensing, gas sensing), and consider biomedical and cleaning technologies. Lastly, a final section covers their application in energy generation and storage technologies (e. g. piezoelectric, solar cells, solid oxide fuel cells, lithium-ion batteries, supercapacitors, and hydrogen storage are reviewed. - Reviews electrospinning methods for the synthesis and design of nanocomposites and hybrid metal oxide nanofibers - Discusses applications of metal oxide nanofibers in sensing, biomedical fields, cleaning technologies, and energy - Emphasizes the structural, morphological and compositional properties of nanofibers and their effect on device performance




Graphene Oxide-Metal Oxide and other Graphene Oxide-Based Composites in Photocatalysis and Electrocatalysis


Book Description

Graphene Oxide-Metal Oxide and other Graphene Oxide-Based Composites in Photocatalysis and Electrocatalysis reflects on recent progress and challenges in graphene-metal oxide composites. The book reviews synthetic strategies, characterization methods and applications in photocatalysis and electrocatalysis. Graphene-metal oxides, graphene-novel metals and other composites intended for sustainable energy production, energy storage, and environmental development such as H2 production, CO2 reduction, pollutant removal, supercapacitors and lithium ion batteries are covered. Overall, this book presents a comprehensive, systematic, and up-to-date summary on graphene oxide-based materials. Graphene oxide and related composite materials bring new perspectives and prospects to both photocatalysts and electrocatalysts. The collective and synergistic effect between graphene oxide and metal oxide are manifold. The significance of the relationship among these groups of materials, their structures and performance is emphasized. - Introduces the fundamentals of graphene oxides, their derivatives, common processes, principles and requirements for photocatalysis and electrocatalysis - Reviews graphene-oxides for photocatalysis applications in H2 production, CO2 reduction, environment remediation, and more - Covers graphene-oxides for electrocatalysis applications in energy, including supercapacitors and lithium-ion batteries




Metal Oxides for Optoelectronics and Optics-Based Medical Applications


Book Description

Metal Oxides for Optoelectronics and Optics-based Medical Applications reviews recent advances in metal oxides and their mechanisms for optoelectronic, photoluminescent and medical applications. In addition, the book examines the integration of key chemistry concepts with nanoelectronics that can improve performance in a diverse range of applications. Sections place a strong emphasis on synthesis processes that can improve the metal oxides' physical properties and the reflected surface chemical changes that can impact their performance in various devices like light-emitting diodes, luminescence materials, solar cells, etc. Finally, the book discusses the challenges associated with the handling and maintenance of metal oxides crystalline properties. This book will be suitable for academics and those working in R&D in industry looking to learn more about cheaper and more effective methods to produce metal oxides for use in the fields of electronics, photonics, biophotonics and engineering. - Reviews the latest advances in the utilization of metal oxide materials in photonics, optoelectronics and optics-based medical applications - Considers the most relevant synthesis strategies for the development of high-performing metal oxide-based devices - Addresses a wide range of metal oxides including photonic crystals, fibers, metastructures, glasses, and more




Metal Oxide-Based Heterostructures


Book Description

Metal Oxide–Based Heterostructures: Fabrication and Applications provides information on synthesis strategies, structural and hierarchical features, morphological characteristics of metal oxide–based heterostructures, and their diverse applications. This book begins with an introduction to the various multidimensional heterostructures, synthesis aspects, and techniques used to control the formation of heterostructures. Then, the impact of synthesis routes on the formation of mixed metal oxide heterostructures and their properties are analyzed. The effect of nonmetal doping, metal doping, and composites of metal oxide heterostructures on the properties of heterostructures is also addressed and that also includes opportunities for optimization of the material's performance for specific applications. Special attention is given to the surface characteristics of the metal oxide heterostructures and their impact on the material's performance, and the applications of metal oxide heterostructures in various fields such as environmental remediation, sensing, organic catalysis, photovoltaics, light emitting materials, and hydrogen production. - Introduces key principles for metal oxide heterostructures, their properties, key characteristics, and synthesis routes - Emphasizes the relationship between synthesis strategies and material performance, including optimization strategies such as tailoring the material's surface characteristics or structure - Discusses metal oxide heterostructures and their application in lighting and displays, energy, environment, and sensing




Metal Oxide-Carbon Hybrid Materials


Book Description

Metal Oxide–Carbon Hybrid Materials: Synthesis, Properties and Applications reviews the advances in the fabrication and application of metal oxide–carbon-based nanocomposite materials. Their unique properties make them ideal materials for gas-sensing, photonics, catalysis, opto-electronic, and energy-storage applications. In the first section, the historical background to the hybrid materials based on metal oxide–carbon and the hybridized metal oxide composites is provided. It also highlights several popular methods for the preparation of metal oxide–carbon composites through solid-state or solution-phase reactions, and extensively discusses the materials' properties. Fossil fuels and renewable energy sources cannot meet the ever-increasing energy demands of an industrialized and technology-driven global society. Therefore, the role of metal oxide–carbon composites in energy generation, hydrogen production, and storage devices, such as rechargeable batteries and supercapacitors, is of extreme importance. These problems are discussed in in the second section of the book. Rapid industrialization has resulted in serious environmental issues which in turn have caused serious health problems that require the immediate attention of researchers. In the third section, the use of metal oxide–carbon composites in water purification, photodegradation of industrial contaminants, and biomedical applications that can help to clean the environment and provide better healthcare solutions is described. The final section is devoted to the consideration of problems associated with the development of sensors for various applications. Numerous studies performed in this area have shown that the use of composites can significantly improve the operating parameters of such devices. Metal Oxide–Carbon Hybrid Materials: Synthesis, Properties and Applications presents a comprehensive review of the science related to metal oxide–carbon composites and how researchers are utilizing these materials to provide solutions to a large array of problems. - Reviews the fundamental properties and fabrication methods of metal-oxide–carbon composites - Discusses applications in energy, including energy generation, hydrogen production and storage, rechargeable batteries, and supercapacitors - Includes current and emerging applications in environmental remediation and sensing




Renewable Polymers and Polymer-Metal Oxide Composites


Book Description

Renewable Polymers and Polymer-Metal Oxide Composites: Synthesis, Properties, and Applications serves as a reference on the key concepts of the advances of polymer-oxide composites. The book reviews knowledge on polymer-composite theory, properties, structure, synthesis, and their characterization and applications. There is an emphasis on coupling metal oxides with polymers from renewable sources. Also, the latest advances in the relationship between the microstructure of the composites and the resulting improvement of the material's properties and performance are covered. The applications addressed include desalination, tissue engineering, energy storage, hybrid energy systems, food, and agriculture. This book is suitable for early-career researchers in academia and R&D in industry who are working in the disciplines of materials science, engineering, chemistry and physics. - Provides basic principles, theory and synthetic methods of composite materials, polymer composites and metal oxides - Reviews the latest advances in polymer-oxide-based applications in medicine, water treatment, energy and sensing - Discusses materials from renewable resources, including lifecycle assessment, economic aspects and potential application in tissue engineering, photovoltaics and food packaging