Application of Novel Nanofibers for Energy Conversion

Dear Colleagues,

The employment of nanofibers in technologies for energy conversion represents an intriguing and growing area of academic research, with huge potential for commercial applications. There are many techniques suitable for providing different kinds of nanomaterials that can be applied in energy-related devices with the main aim to optimize their conversion capabilities. Among all these techniques, the electrospinning process represents an intriguing opportunity with huge potential in several fields, ranging from mechanical energy conversion to electrochemical energy conversion. Indeed, electrospinning is a unique, robust, and reliable process for the fabrication of 1D nanomaterials, especially in the form of nanofibers that can be arranged with high precision in final mats with different structures. Electrospinning is an electro-hydrodynamic process that provides polymer-based fibers with diameter distribution in the range from a few nanometers to several micrometers by involving electrostatic forces. The process is based on the concept that electrostatic forces induce Columbic interactions between charged elements of the polymeric fluid, leading then to overcome surface tension in a charged polymeric jet, ensuring nanofiber formation. Therefore, through this technique, polymer can be arranged in a mat with a high surface area ratio to volume, showing a micro/macroporous structure. One of the main advantages of this process stems from the fact that final nanofibers are based not only on polymers, but also on metals, ceramics, and metal oxides, obtained by implementing further different chemical and thermal treatments. This Special Issue on “Application of Novel Nanofibers for Energy Conversion” aims to provide an overview of the most recent progress and new developments in the design and utilization of electrospun nanofibers for highly efficient, novel energy conversion devices.

Energy conversion processes of interest for this Special Issue include (but are not limited to) mechanical, solar, thermal, chemical, electrochemical, and biochemical conversion processes. The Special Issue includes but is not limited to the following topics:

Energy conversion;

Electrospun nanofiber synthesis and characterizations;

Integration methods of nanofibers into energy conversion devices;

Electrode design for electrochemical energy conversion;

New technological approaches;

Nanofibers for sustainability.

Original research papers or review articles are welcome in this Special Issue. Emphasis will be given to experimental analysis both at lab scale as well as practical, in situ applications. Fundamental studies in line with the scope of this Special Issue can also be considered for publication.

Manuscript Submission Information

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 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.

• Energy conversion
• Design of nanofibers for electrochemical
• Chemical and biochemical conversion processes
• Electrospun nanofibers synthesis and characterizations
• Integration methods of nanofibers
• Nanostructured electrodes for electrochemical energy conversion
• New technological approaches
• Nanofibers for sustainability