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Advanced Functional Materials for Sustainable Energy Harvesting and Efficient Storage Solutions

A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "A: Sustainable Energy".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 29 May 2025 | Viewed by 1601

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Coimbra, Rua Luís Reis Santos, 3030-788 Coimbra, Portugal
Interests: multifunctional materials; nanomaterials; epitaxial growth techniques; characterization of materials; light sensors; photovoltaic cells; white LEDs; energy storage devices
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The demand for sustainable and efficient energy solutions has never been greater. As we face global energy challenges and strive for a cleaner and more sustainable future, the development and utilization of advanced functional materials play a crucial role. These materials offer unique properties and functionalities that enable enhanced energy conversion, storage, and utilization. By harnessing the power of advanced functional materials, we can revolutionize energy harvesting technologies and improve the efficiency of energy storage systems.

This Special Issue aims to showcase the latest research advancements and innovations in the field of advanced functional materials for achieving sustainable energy harvesting and efficient energy storage systems. It provides a platform for researchers to share their cutting-edge findings, insights, and perspectives on the design, synthesis, characterization, and application of functional materials for contributing to the development of more efficient and sustainable energy technologies.

This Special Issue covers a wide range of topics within the domain of advanced functional materials for sustainable energy harvesting and efficient storage solutions. It includes research on novel functional materials for energy conversion and storage devices, as well as emerging trends in materials such as nanomaterials, perovskites, carbon-based materials, and more. We kindly invite researchers, practitioners, and industry professionals to contribute with original research papers and reviews.

Topics of particular interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Novel materials for energy harvesting and storage devices (e.g., solar cells, batteries, supercapacitors, fuel cells);
  • Advanced functional materials for improving energy conversion and storage efficiency;
  • Characterization techniques and modeling approaches for assessing functional materials in energy applications;
  • Strategies for scalable synthesis and fabrication of functional materials for energy systems;
  • Integration of functional materials into existing energy infrastructure and grid systems;
  • Advances in nanomaterials, perovskites, carbon-based materials, and other emerging materials for energy applications.

Prof. Dr. Zohra Benzarti
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • advanced functional materials
  • oxides
  • perovskites
  • piezoelectrics
  • carbon-based materials
  • energy harvesting
  • energy storage
  • renewable energy
  • sustainable energy
  • energy conversion
  • fuel cells
  • solar cells
  • batteries
  • supercapacitors
  • sustainable technologies
  • modeling and simulation

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

16 pages, 6986 KiB  
Article
Enhancing Solar Absorption with Double-Layered Nickel Coatings and WS2 Nanoparticles on Copper Substrates
by Susana Devesa, Zohra Benzarti, Gabriel Santos, Diogo Cavaleiro, António Cunha, João Santos and Sandra Carvalho
Energies 2024, 17(16), 3869; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17163869 - 6 Aug 2024
Viewed by 838
Abstract
This study focused on the development and characterization of multi-layered nickel coatings doped with WS2 nanoparticles and electrodeposited on copper substrates. To enhance the solar collector’s performance by improving the solar radiation conversion into heat, two distinct undercoatings were evaluated, along with [...] Read more.
This study focused on the development and characterization of multi-layered nickel coatings doped with WS2 nanoparticles and electrodeposited on copper substrates. To enhance the solar collector’s performance by improving the solar radiation conversion into heat, two distinct undercoatings were evaluated, along with the incorporation of WS2 nanoparticles in the black nickel layer. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed that the bright and dull nickel undercoatings consisted of metallic nickel, whereas the black coatings comprised amorphous nickel oxide, inferred to be Ni2O3 based on energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analysis. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis of the undercoatings and black nickel morphology showed a compact surface with a relatively homogenous microstructure composed of polyhedric grains, which was free of visible cracks or pinholes. The undercoating influenced the brightness, the reflectivity and the reflectance of the black nickel films, with the dull undercoated sample showing the most promising results, with a total absorbance of 0.94. The incorporation of WS2 nanoparticles induced the formation of cracks and increased the porosity of the black nickel film. With an appropriate content of WS2 nanoparticles and the use of a dull undercoat, these drawbacks can be avoided. Concerning the integration of WS2 nanoparticles, a minor decrease in the brightness of the black films and a subsequent increase in the total absorbance ultimately led to an enhancement of the conversion of solar energy into thermal energy. Full article
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