Solar-powered electrochemical energy storage: an alternative to solar fuels

2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (8) ◽  
pp. 2766-2782 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mingzhe Yu ◽  
William D. McCulloch ◽  
Zhongjie Huang ◽  
Brittany B. Trang ◽  
Jun Lu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Storage ◽  
Solar Energy ◽  
Energy Conversion ◽  
Solar Energy Conversion ◽  
Solar Fuels ◽  
Distribution Functions ◽  
Electrochemical Energy Storage ◽  
Solar Powered ◽  
Electrochemical Energy

The solar-powered electrochemical energy storage strategy integrates the solar energy conversion, storage and distribution functions into a single device.

scholarly journals Fabrication of Nanostructured Cadmium Selenide Thin Films for Optoelectronics Applications

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shahnwaz Hussain ◽  
Mazhar Iqbal ◽  
Ayaz Arif Khan ◽  
Muhammad Nasir Khan ◽  
Ghazanfar Mehboob ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thin Films ◽  
Energy Storage ◽  
Solar Energy ◽  
Electrochemical Energy Storage ◽  
Bandgap Energy ◽  
Energy Storage Devices ◽  
Small Shift ◽  
Storage Devices ◽  
Vis Spectroscopy ◽  
Electrochemical Energy

There is lot of research work at enhancing the performance of energy conversion and energy storage devices such as solar cells, supercapacitors, and batteries. In this regard, the low bandgap and a high absorption coefficient of CdSe thin films in the visible region, as well as, the low electrical resistivity make them ideal for the next generation of chalcogenide-based photovoltaic and electrochemical energy storage devices. Here, we present the properties of CdSe thin films synthesized at temperatures (below 100°C using readily available precursors) that are reproducible, efficient and economical. The samples were characterized using XRD, FTIR, RBS, UV-vis spectroscopy. Annealed samples showed crystalline cubic structure along (111) preferential direction with the grain size of the nanostructures increasing from 2.23 to 4.13 nm with increasing annealing temperatures. The optical properties of the samples indicate a small shift in the bandgap energy, from 2.20 to 2.12 eV with a decreasing deposition temperature. The band gap is suitably located in the visible solar energy region, which make these CdSe thin films ideal for solar energy harvesting. It also has potential to be used in electrochemical energy storage applications.

Electrochemical Energy Storage and Energy Conversion Systems with Diamond Films

2011 ◽  
pp. 437-481
Author(s):  
Juan M. Peralta-Hernández ◽  
Aracely Hernández-Ramírez ◽  
Jorge L. Guzmán-Mar ◽  
Laura Hinojosa-Reyes ◽  
Giancarlo R. Salazar-Banda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Storage ◽  
Energy Conversion ◽  
Diamond Films ◽  
Electrochemical Energy Storage ◽  
Energy Conversion Systems ◽  
Electrochemical Energy

Bacterial cellulose: an encouraging eco-friendly nano-candidate for energy storage and energy conversion

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 5812-5842 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lina Ma ◽  
Zhijie Bi ◽  
Yun Xue ◽  
Wei Zhang ◽  
Qiying Huang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Storage ◽  
Energy Conversion ◽  
Bacterial Cellulose ◽  
Electrochemical Energy Storage ◽  
Energy Storage And Conversion ◽  
Electrochemical Energy

A comprehensive and systematic summary of the current developments of BC in electrochemical energy storage and conversion.

scholarly journals Methods for comparing the performance of energy-conversion systems for use in solar fuels and solar electricity generation

2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 2886-2901 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert H. Coridan ◽  
Adam C. Nielander ◽  
Sonja A. Francis ◽  
Matthew T. McDowell ◽  
Victoria Dix ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar Energy ◽  
Energy Conversion ◽  
Electricity Generation ◽  
Solar Energy Conversion ◽  
Solar Fuels ◽  
Energy Conversion Systems ◽  
Solar Electricity

We outline the significance and advantages of different metrics used to characterize photoelectrodes for electrochemical solar energy conversion.

scholarly journals Oxygenic photosynthesis: translation to solar fuel technologies

2014 ◽  
Vol 83 (4) ◽  
pp. 423-440 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julian David Janna Olmos ◽  
Joanna Kargul
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Solar Energy ◽  
Energy Conversion ◽  
Solar Energy Conversion ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Solar Fuels ◽  
High Energy Density ◽  
Energy Crisis ◽  
Oxygenic Photosynthesis

Mitigation of man-made climate change, rapid depletion of readily available fossil fuel reserves and facing the growing energy demand that faces mankind in the near future drive the rapid development of economically viable, renewable energy production technologies. It is very likely that greenhouse gas emissions will lead to the significant climate change over the next fifty years. World energy consumption has doubled over the last twenty-five years, and is expected to double again in the next quarter of the 21st century. Our biosphere is at the verge of a severe energy crisis that can no longer be overlooked. Solar radiation represents the most abundant source of clean, renewable energy that is readily available for conversion to solar fuels. Developing clean technologies that utilize practically inexhaustible solar energy that reaches our planet and convert it into the high energy density solar fuels provides an attractive solution to resolving the global energy crisis that mankind faces in the not too distant future. Nature’s oxygenic photosynthesis is the most fundamental process that has sustained life on Earth for more than 3.5 billion years through conversion of solar energy into energy of chemical bonds captured in biomass, food and fossil fuels. It is this process that has led to evolution of various forms of life as we know them today. Recent advances in imitating the natural process of photosynthesis by developing biohybrid and synthetic “artificial leaves” capable of solar energy conversion into clean fuels and other high value products, as well as advances in the mechanistic and structural aspects of the natural solar energy converters, photosystem I and photosystem II, allow to address the main challenges: how to maximize solar-to-fuel conversion efficiency, and most importantly: how to store the energy efficiently and use it without significant losses. Last but not least, the question of how to make the process of solar energy conversion into fuel not only efficient but also cost effective, therefore attractive to the consumer, should be properly addressed.

scholarly journals Perspectives for Photobiology in Molecular Solar Fuels

2012 ◽  
Vol 65 (6) ◽  
pp. 643 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kastoori Hingorani ◽  
Warwick Hillier
Keyword(s):  
Free Energy ◽  
Solar Energy ◽  
Energy Conversion ◽  
Solar Energy Conversion ◽  
Solar Fuels ◽  
Basic Design ◽  
Fuel Production ◽  
Lord Howe Island ◽  
The World ◽  
Engineered Systems

This paper presents an overview of the prospects for bio-solar energy conversion. The Global Artificial Photosynthesis meeting at Lord Howe Island (14–18 August 2011) underscored the dependence that the world has placed on non-renewable energy supplies, particularly for transport fuels, and highlighted the potential of solar energy. Biology has used solar energy for free energy gain to drive chemical reactions for billions of years. The principal conduits for energy conversion on earth are photosynthetic reaction centres – but can they be harnessed, copied and emulated? In this communication, we initially discuss algal-based biofuels before investigating bio-inspired solar energy conversion in artificial and engineered systems. We show that the basic design and engineering principles for assembling photocatalytic proteins can be used to assemble nanocatalysts for solar fuel production.

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