materials-logo

Journal Browser

Journal Browser

Development of Advanced Materials for Energy Conversion

A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Energy Materials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 December 2024) | Viewed by 2419

Special Issue Editors


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
Interests: silicon solar cell; solar cell metallization; thin-film solar cell; photodetector; nanotechnology

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
TJU-NIMS International Collaboration Laboratory, School of Material Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
Interests: photocatalysis; photothermal catalysis; C1 catalysis; methane conversion

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue focuses on groundbreaking research and technological advancements in the field of energy materials. This emerging discipline covers the design, fabrication, characterization, and application of novel materials that can efficiently convert and store energy. Whether it's improving solar cells, creating better batteries, or innovating fuel cell technology, this Special Issue aims to highlight the fundamental research that enhances the performance and sustainability of energy conversion systems. By bringing together experts from various scientific backgrounds, this Special Issue aims to foster collaboration and drive innovation, contributing to a cleaner and more energy-efficient future. The exploration of new materials and techniques in this field is not only critical for addressing the global energy crisis but also has potential implications in various industrial applications.

It is our pleasure to invite you to submit a manuscript to this Special Issue. Full papers, communications, and reviews are all welcome.

Dr. Yiyu Zeng
Dr. Hui Song
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Materials is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • solar cells
  • batteries
  • energy storage
  • photovoltaics
  • sustainability
  • energy conversion
  • renewable energy
  • nanotechnology

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Published Papers (2 papers)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

16 pages, 3662 KiB  
Article
Valence Variability Induced in SrMoO₃ Perovskite by Mn Doping: Evaluation of a New Family of Anodes for Solid-Oxide Fuel Cells
by Lucía Sánchez de Bustamante, Romualdo Santos Silva, Jr., José Luis Martínez, María Teresa Fernández-Díaz, Ainara Aguadero and José Antonio Alonso
Materials 2025, 18(3), 542; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18030542 - 24 Jan 2025
Viewed by 644
Abstract
We report on a series of SrMo1−xMnxO3−δ perovskite oxides designed as potential anode materials for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). These materials were synthesized using a citrate method, yielding scheelite-type precursors with nominal SrMo1−xMnxO [...] Read more.
We report on a series of SrMo1−xMnxO3−δ perovskite oxides designed as potential anode materials for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). These materials were synthesized using a citrate method, yielding scheelite-type precursors with nominal SrMo1−xMnxO4 compositions, which were further reduced to obtain the active perovskite oxides. Their structural evolution was examined through X-ray diffraction (XRD) and neutron powder diffraction (NPD). These techniques provided insights into the crystallographic changes upon Mn doping, revealing key factors influencing ionic conductivity. Whereas the oxidized scheelite precursors are tetragonal, space group I41/a, the reduced perovskite specimens are cubic, space group Pm-3m, and show the conspicuous absence of oxygen vacancies, even at the highest temperature of 800 °C. The transport properties were analyzed through electrical conductivity measurements, exhibiting a metallic-like behavior. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and dilatometry give insights into the thermal stability and expansion behavior, essential for SOFC operation. Test single SOFCs were built in an electrolyte-supported configuration, on LSGM pellets of 300 μm thickness, assessing the performance of the title materials as anodes. This work emphasizes the critical relationship between the crystal structure and its electrochemical behavior, providing a deeper understanding of how doping strategies can optimize fuel cell performance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Development of Advanced Materials for Energy Conversion)
Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 9027 KiB  
Article
The Application of Ultrasound Pre-Treatment in Low-Temperature Synthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanorods
by Anna Drabczyk, Magda Ciężkowska, Katarzyna Kałahurska, Adam Zięba, Wojciech Bulowski, Katarzyna Bucka, Patryk Kasza, Krzysztof Zbroja, Grzegorz Putynkowski and Robert P. Socha
Materials 2024, 17(20), 4980; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17204980 - 11 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1349
Abstract
Zinc oxide, due to its unique physicochemical properties, including dual piezoelectric and semiconductive ones, demonstrates a high application potential in various fields, with a particular focus on nanotechnology. Among ZnO nanoforms, nanorods are gaining particular interest. Due to their ability to efficiently transport [...] Read more.
Zinc oxide, due to its unique physicochemical properties, including dual piezoelectric and semiconductive ones, demonstrates a high application potential in various fields, with a particular focus on nanotechnology. Among ZnO nanoforms, nanorods are gaining particular interest. Due to their ability to efficiently transport charge carriers and photoelectric properties, they demonstrate significant potential in energy storage and conversion, as well as photovoltaics. They can be prepared via various methods; however, most of them require large energy inputs, long reaction times, or high-cost equipment. Hence, new methods of ZnO nanorod fabrication are currently being sought out. In this paper, an ultrasound-supported synthesis of ZnO nanorods with zinc acetate as a zinc precursor has been described. The fabrication of nanorods included the treatment of the precursor solution with ultrasounds, wherein various sonication times were employed to verify the impact of the sonication process on the effectiveness of ZnO nanorod synthesis and the sizes of the obtained nanostructures. The morphology of the obtained ZnO nanorods was imaged via a scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis, while the particle size distribution within the precursor suspensions was determined by means of dynamic light scattering (DLS). Additionally, the dynamic viscosity of precursor suspensions was also verified. It was demonstrated that ultrasounds positively affect ZnO nanorod synthesis, yielding longer nanostructures through even reactant distribution. Longer nanorods were obtained as a result of short sonication (1–3 min), wherein prolonged treatment with ultrasounds (4–5 min) resulted in obtaining shorter nanorods. Importantly, the application of ultrasounds increased particle homogeneity within the precursor suspension by disintegrating particle agglomerates. Moreover, it was demonstrated that ultrasonic treatment reduces the dynamic viscosity of precursor suspension, facilitating faster particle diffusion and promoting a more uniform growth of longer ZnO nanorods. Hence, it can be concluded that ultrasounds constitute a promising solution in obtaining homogeneous ZnO nanorods, which is in line with the principles of green chemistry. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Development of Advanced Materials for Energy Conversion)
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

Back to TopTop