Two-Dimensional Hybrid Nanostructures for Energy Storage and Conversion Devices

Dear Colleagues,

Numerous innovative synthesis techniques have been developed to make new hybrid two-dimensional (2D) nanostructures, because these structures can offer high energy and high power densities, in batteries and supercapacitors, respectively.^1,2 The fabricated hybrid nanostructures used in flexible energy storage devices have also attracted great interest due to their fast growth in portable electronics and wearable devices.¹ Enhancing the energy density of supercapacitor electrodes without missing their power density and rate ability is a challenge that can be addressed by a reasonable design of the electrodes and fabricating new hybrid carbon-oxide structures.² Hybrid 2D nanostructured materials, such as G-supported transition metal oxides (TMOs), transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), MXene, etc., to form composite layered structures have great potential to be used in energy storage and conversion applications (i.e., batteries and supercapacitors, solar cells, catalysis).³ For instance, TMOs are naturally capable to keep charged ions on their surfaces without intermixing;⁴ G-supported TMOs nanostructured materials exhibit high conductivity through the injection of electrons from G into TMOs and an increasing concentration in G;² the extraordinarily broad surface area in G-supported TMOs is enhanced, and all of the atoms can be exposed to the electrolyte and involved in electrochemical reactions and charge interactions;³ TMOs nanosheets between G layers, in the layered model of G-supported TMOs, prevent re-stacking of G layers, which is a critical issue that affects the efficiency of G. These are some factors that determine the overall power performance of supercapacitor electrodes and are suitable in batteries and electrocatalysis, as well. Hence, layered models of hybrid 2D nanostructures have been developed to use in metal-ion battery anodes, cathodes, and supercapacitors.⁶ Although specific properties of each 2D materials have been revealed and investigated, we are still far from understanding how we can operate these kinds of materials effectively with high-performance in a layered model. Therefore, the following questions must be addressed: (i) whether the layered 2D materials change phase during operation is important in batteries and supercapacitors and (ii) how their long- and short-term stability can be affected by the intercalation process; (iii) how new 2D materials can offer sufficient properties that can be boosted by using other 2D substrates; (iv) what role do layered models and their interface structures play in the performance of an energy storage device?

Hence, this Special Issue invites contributions (research, communications, and review papers) that focus on improving the performance of the current energy storage devices, as well as recent developments in 2D hybrid heterostructures. Topics of interest include synthesis, characterization, and application of 2D hybrid nanostructures for energy storage and conversion applications.

References:

1. Peng, et al., Small, 2016, 12, 6183-6199.
2. Anasori, et al., Materials Today, 2014, 17, 253-254.
3. -S. Wu, et al. Nano Energy, 2012, 1, 107-131.
4. Kalantar-zadeh, et al., Applied Materials Today, 2016, 4, 73-89.
5. Lee, et al., Science, 2014, 343, 519–522.
6. Raccichini, et al., Nature Materials, 2015, 14, 271-279.

Dr. Jalal Azadmanjiri
Dr. Naveen Reddy Thuniki
Guest Editors

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• 2D materials
• 2D heterostructures
• Energy storage
• Energy conversion