Advanced Research of Electroceramics for Energy Conversion, Storage and Devices

A special issue of Crystals (ISSN 2073-4352). This special issue belongs to the section "Materials for Energy Applications".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 December 2024 | Viewed by 3067

Special Issue Editors


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CEMMPRE, Centre for Mechanical Engineering, Materials and Processes, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, 3004-516 Coimbra, Portugal
Interests: ceramics; dielectric properties; structural characterization; morphological characterization; electrodeposition
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Physics Department, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
Interests: solid state physics (electrical and magnetic properties of materials); microwave; polymers and composites
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Guest Editor
i3N and Department of Physics, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
Interests: solid state physics (electrical and magnetic properties of materials); biomaterials; glasses and glass-ceramics
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Physics Department, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
Interests: ferrites; polymers; composites; electrical and magnetic material’s properties; energy storage; magnetic hyperthermia; electric field-assisted sintering
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In the present technology-driven century, there is a quest for novel materials with enhanced properties that are tailored for a range of applications. The ability of materials to react to their environment in a useful manner, responding to different external stimuli, facilitates their integration into different devices; this may have a strong technological impact.

Electroceramics are advanced ceramic materials that are employed in a wide variety of electrical, optical and magnetic applications, with their study being a persistent endeavour in the development of functional materials.

In recent decades, the electrification of vehicles, the application of renewable energy sources and the promotion of decarbonization have led to a proliferating demand for energy conversion and storage devices. In addition, due to the rapid growth of wireless communication systems and microwave products in the electronic market, small, lightweight and multifunctional components are required.

Since the close relationship between structure, morphology and physical properties is well established, understanding the formation mechanisms from both theoretical and experimental perspectives is essential in order to improve the synthesis processes of enhanced functional materials. Therefore, the design, fabrication and characterization of electroceramic components are multidisciplinary in nature.

This Special Issue aims to address all the relevant aspects of advanced electroceramics for energy conversion, storage and devices, attending also to the different processing and characterization techniques.

Dr. Susana Devesa
Dr. Luís Cadillon Costa
Dr. Manuel Pedro Fernandes Graça
Dr. Sílvia Soreto Teixeira
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • electroceramics
  • synthesis processes
  • structural characterization
  • morphological characterization
  • dielectric properties
  • magnetic properties
  • piezoelectric properties
  • energy conversion
  • energy storage

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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19 pages, 12474 KiB  
Article
Unveiling the Synthesis of Strontium Ferrites by Sol-Gel and Laser Floating Zone Methods for Energy Application
by Silvia Soreto Teixeira, Rafael Ferreira, João Carvalho and Nuno M. Ferreira
Crystals 2024, 14(6), 550; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst14060550 - 13 Jun 2024
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Abstract
This work proposes the synthesis of strontium ferrite by two different methods: sol-gel (SG), using powdered coconut water (PCW) as a precursor, and laser floating zone (LFZ). The SG samples were after treated at temperatures of 700, 1000, and 1200 °C, while the [...] Read more.
This work proposes the synthesis of strontium ferrite by two different methods: sol-gel (SG), using powdered coconut water (PCW) as a precursor, and laser floating zone (LFZ). The SG samples were after treated at temperatures of 700, 1000, and 1200 °C, while the samples obtained by LFZ were grown at pulling rates of 10, 50, and 100 mm/h. All samples studied were subjected to structural characterization techniques, as well as electrical (AC and DC) and magnetic characterization. Through X-ray diffraction, it was possible to observe that all the samples presented strontium ferrites, but none were single phase. The phases detected in XRD were confirmed by Raman spectroscopy. Scanning electron micrography allowed the observation of an increase in grain size with the temperature of SG samples and the reduction of the porosity with the decrease in growth rate for LFZ fibers. Through electrical analysis, it was observed that the most suitable samples for energy storage were the samples grown at 100 mm/h (εr = 430,712; εr = 11,577; tan δ = 0.84; σac = 0.0006 S/m, at 1 kHz). The remaining samples had high dielectric losses and can be applied in electromagnetic shielding. The SG 700 °C sample presented the highest magnetization (38.5 emu/g at T = 5 K). Full article
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Review

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16 pages, 3965 KiB  
Review
A Review of Cu3BiS3 Thin Films: A Sustainable and Cost-Effective Photovoltaic Material
by Maxwell Santana Libório, José César Augusto de Queiroz, Sivabalan Maniam Sivasankar, Thercio Henrique de Carvalho Costa, António Ferreira da Cunha and Carlos de Oliveira Amorim
Crystals 2024, 14(6), 524; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst14060524 - 31 May 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1450
Abstract
The demand for sustainable and cost-effective materials for photovoltaic technology has led to an increasing interest in Cu3BiS3 thin films as potential absorber layers. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the main physical properties, synthesis methods, and theoretical studies [...] Read more.
The demand for sustainable and cost-effective materials for photovoltaic technology has led to an increasing interest in Cu3BiS3 thin films as potential absorber layers. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the main physical properties, synthesis methods, and theoretical studies of Cu3BiS3 thin films for photovoltaic applications. The high optical absorption coefficient and band gap energy around the optimal 1.4 eV make Cu3BiS3 orthorhombic Wittichenite-phase a promising viable alternative to conventional thin film absorber materials such as CIGS, CZTS, and CdTe. Several synthesis techniques, including sputtering, thermal evaporation, spin coating, chemical bath deposition, and spray deposition, are discussed, highlighting their impact on film quality and photovoltaic performance. Density Functional Theory studies offer insights into the electronic structure and optical properties of Cu3BiS3, aiding in the understanding of its potential for photovoltaic applications. Additionally, theoretical modeling of Cu3BiS3-based photovoltaic cells suggests promising efficiencies, although experimental challenges remain to be addressed. Overall, this review underscores the potential of CBS thin films as sustainable and cost-effective materials for future PV technology while also outlining the ongoing research efforts and remaining challenges in this field. Full article
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