Functional 2D Nanomaterials for Photoelectrochemical Applications

A special issue of Nanomaterials (ISSN 2079-4991). This special issue belongs to the section "Energy and Catalysis".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 November 2023) | Viewed by 2801

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Chemical Engineering, Khalifa University of Science & Technology, Abu Dhabi 127788, United Arab Emirates
Interests: functional nanomaterials; 2D nanomaterials; photoelectrocatalysis; overall water splitting; electrochemical sensors; CO2 utilization; wastewater treatment

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Two-dimensional (2D) materials have generated extensive research into their unique functional, electrical, and mechanical properties. 2D materials can play an important role in photoelectrochemical applications by incorporating their unique and extraordinary properties into semiconducting photoabsorbers and thus increasing their electrochemical activity. In recent years, various photoelectrochemical applications have been explored using state-of-the-art 2D materials such as graphene, MXene, layered double hydroxides (LDHs), black phosphorus (BP), transition metal sulfides, transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), graphdiyne, and their semiconducting nanocomposites. The capability to use these functional materials as cathodes and anodes for a multitude of photoelectrochemical reactions is one of their major benefits. Photoelectrochemical applications include splitting water, reducing toxic gases (CO2, CO, etc), developing sensors, and oxidizing organic and inorganic toxic compounds in wastewater.

This Special Issue is intended to compile research articles, reviews, and communications covering topics related to the development of 2D materials and their nanocomposites for various electrochemical and photoelectrochemical applications.

We are pleased to invite you to submit your original research articles, reviews and communications to this Special Issue. The deadline for manuscript submission is 30 December 2023.

Research areas may include (but not limited to) the following:

  • Development of 2D photoelectrocatalytic materials
  • Photoelectrochemical applications of 2D nanomaterials
  • Photoelectrochemical sensors and biosensors
  • Electrochemical and Photoelectrochemical water splitting
  • Photovoltaic cells
  • Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) and Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs)
  • Photoelectrochemical reduction of CO2, N2, and CO
  • Photoelectrochemical deactivation of pathogens
  • Photoelectrochemical oxidation organic and inorganic toxic compounds
  • Photoelectrochemical capacitive deionization
  • All photoelectrochemical related chemical reactions and applications.

Dr. Bharath Govindan
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • 2D Nanomaterials
  • graphene
  • photoelectrochemical applications
  • photoelectrochemical sensors
  • water splitting
  • perovskite cells

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 5795 KiB  
Article
Influence of Fe Doping on the Electrochemical Performance of a ZnO-Nanostructure-Based Electrode for Supercapacitors
by Shalendra Kumar, Faheem Ahmed, Nagih M. Shaalan, Nishat Arshi, Saurabh Dalela and Keun Hwa Chae
Nanomaterials 2023, 13(15), 2222; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13152222 - 31 Jul 2023
Viewed by 1054
Abstract
ZnO is a potential candidate for providing an economic and environmentally friendly substitute for energy storage materials. Therefore, in this work, Fe-doped ZnO nanostructures prepared using the microwave irradiation procedure were investigated for structural, morphological, magnetic, electronic structural, specific surface area and electrochemical [...] Read more.
ZnO is a potential candidate for providing an economic and environmentally friendly substitute for energy storage materials. Therefore, in this work, Fe-doped ZnO nanostructures prepared using the microwave irradiation procedure were investigated for structural, morphological, magnetic, electronic structural, specific surface area and electrochemical properties to be used as electrodes for supercapacitors. The X-ray diffraction, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy images, and selective-area electron diffraction pattern indicated that the nanocrystalline structures of Fe-doped ZnO were found to possess a hexagonal wurtzite structure. The effect of Fe doping in the ZnO matrix was observed on the lattice parameters, which were found to increase with the dopant concentration. Rods and a nanosheet-like morphology were observed via FESEM images. The ferromagnetic nature of samples is associated with the presence of bound magnetic polarons. The enhancement of saturation magnetization was observed due to Fe doping up to 3% in correspondence with the increase in the number of bound magnetic polarons with an Fe content of up to 3%. This behavior is observed as a result of the change in the oxidation state from +2 to +3, which was a consequence of Fe doping ranging from 3% to 5%. The electrode performance of Fe-doped ZnO nanostructures was studied using electrochemical measurements. The cyclic voltammetry (CV) results inferred that the specific capacitance increased with Fe doping and displayed a high specific capacitance of 286 F·g−1 at 10 mV/s for 3% Fe-doped ZnO nanostructures and decreased beyond that. Furthermore, the stability of the Zn0.97Fe0.03O electrode, which was examined by performing 2000 cycles, showed excellent cyclic stability (85.0% of value retained up to 2000 cycles) with the highest specific capacitance of 276.4 F·g−1, signifying its appropriateness as an electrode for energy storage applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional 2D Nanomaterials for Photoelectrochemical Applications)
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13 pages, 2002 KiB  
Article
Fabrication of High-Performance Asymmetric Supercapacitors Using Rice Husk-Activated Carbon and MnFe2O4 Nanostructures
by Faheem Ahmed, Shalendra Kumar, Nagih M. Shaalan, Nishat Arshi, Saurabh Dalela and Keun Hwa Chae
Nanomaterials 2023, 13(12), 1870; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13121870 - 16 Jun 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1325
Abstract
To meet the growing demand for efficient and sustainable power sources, it is crucial to develop high-performance energy storage systems. Additionally, they should be cost-effective and able to operate without any detrimental environmental side effects. In this study, rice husk-activated carbon (RHAC), which [...] Read more.
To meet the growing demand for efficient and sustainable power sources, it is crucial to develop high-performance energy storage systems. Additionally, they should be cost-effective and able to operate without any detrimental environmental side effects. In this study, rice husk-activated carbon (RHAC), which is known for its abundance, low cost, and excellent electrochemical performance, was combined with MnFe2O4 nanostructures to improve the overall capacitance of asymmetric supercapacitors (ASCs) and their energy density. A series of activation and carbonization steps are involved in the fabrication process for RHAC from rice husk. Furthermore, the BET surface area for RHAC was determined to be 980 m2 g−1 and superior porosities (average pore diameter of 7.2 nm) provide abundant active sites for charge storage. Additionally, MnFe2O4 nanostructures were effective pseudocapacitive electrode materials due to their combined Faradic and non-Faradic capacitances. In order to assess the electrochemical performance of ASCs extensively, several characterization techniques were employed, including galvanostatic charge –discharge, cyclic voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Comparatively, the ASC demonstrated a maximum specific capacitance of ~420 F/g at a current density of 0.5 A/g. The as-fabricated ASC possesses remarkable electrochemical characteristics, including high specific capacitance, superior rate capability, and long-term cycle stability. The developed asymmetric configuration retained 98% of its capacitance even after 12,000 cycles performed at a current density of 6A/g, demonstrating its stability and reliability for supercapacitors. The present study demonstrates the potential of synergistic combinations of RHAC and MnFe2O4 nanostructures in improving supercapacitor performance, as well as providing a sustainable method of using agricultural waste for energy storage. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional 2D Nanomaterials for Photoelectrochemical Applications)
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