Application of nanotechnologies in the energy sector: A brief and short review

doi:10.1007/s11708-012-0219-5

Front Energ

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REVIEW ARTICLE

Application of nanotechnologies in the energy sector: A brief and short review

Ferric CHRISTIAN, EDITH, SELLY, Dendy ADITYAWARMAN, Antonius INDARTO(

)

Department of Chemical Engineering, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Bandung 40132, Indonesia

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Abstract

Energy is of great importance in human life because of its benefits as the main resource for human activity. According to International Energy Agency (IEA), energy demands are expected to continue increasing until 2030. Because energy demand will never decrease, it is necessary to develop modern technology, such as nano-based technology, in order to obtain a more effective and efficient process to produce more energy. The application of nano technology or nano material in the field of energy, which involves lithium-ion battery, fuel cell, light emitting diode (LED), ultra-capacitor, and solar cell (including Gr?tzel cell), is a hot topic in many scientific researches. Unfortunately, its current development is hampered by the expensive cost of production compared to conventional technologies. Therefore, priority should be given to nano technology in the energy sector order to obtain higher efficiency, lower production cost, and easier in its application.

Keywords nanotechnology energy batteries fuel cell Gr?tzel cell solar cell

Corresponding Author(s): INDARTO Antonius,Email:antonius.indarto@che.itb.ac.id

Issue Date: 05 March 2013

Cite this article:

Ferric CHRISTIAN,EDITH,SELLY, et al. Application of nanotechnologies in the energy sector: A brief and short review[J]. Front Energ, 0, (): 6-18.

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https://academic.hep.com.cn/fie/EN/10.1007/s11708-012-0219-5
https://academic.hep.com.cn/fie/EN/Y0/V/I/6

Fig.1 World energy consumption history and future prediction []

Fig.2 Current world potential energy sources/reserves []

Energy sources	Energy conversion	Energy distribution	Energy storage	Energy uses
● Regenerative○ Photovoltaics: Nano-optimized cells (polymeric, dye, quantum dot, thin film, multiple junction), antireflective coatings○ Wind energy: nanocomposites for ligheter and stronger rotor blades, wear and corrosion protection nano-coatings for bearings and power trains etc.○ Geothermal: nano-coatings and-composites for wear resistant drilling equipment○ Hydro-/Tidal Power: Nano-coatings for corrosion protection○ Biomass energy: Yield optimization by nano-based precision farming (nanosensors, controlled release and storage of pesticides and nutrients)● Fossil fuel○ Wear and corrosion protection of oil and gas drilling equipment, nanoparticles for improved oil yields.● Nuclear○ Nano-composite for radiation shielding and protection (personal equipment, container etc.), long term option for nuclear fusion reactors	● Gas Turbines○ Heat and corrosion protection of turbine blades (e.g. ceramic or intermetallic nano-coatings) for more efficient turbine power plants● Thermoelectrics○ Nanostructural compounds (interface design, nanorods) for efficient thermoelectrical power generation (e.g. usage of waste heat in automobiles or body heat for personal electronics (long term))● Fuel cells○ Nano-optimized membranes and electrodes for efficient fuel cells (PEM) for applications in automobile/mobile electronics● Hydrogen Generation○ Nano catalysts and new processes for more efficient hydrogen generation (eg. Photoelectrical, electrolysis, biophotonic)● Combustion Engines○ Wear and corrosion protection of engine components (nano-composite/nano coatings, nano particles as the fuel additive etc.)● Electrical motor○ Nano-composites for superconducting components in electro motors	● Power Transmission○ High-voltage transmission: Nano filters for electrical isolation system, soft magnetic nano material for efficient current transformation○ Superconductors (SC): Optimized high temperature SC’s based on nanoscale interface design for loss-less power transmission○ CNT power lines: superconductor cables based on carbon nanotubes (long term)○ Wireless power transmission: using laser, micrwaves, or electromagnetic resonance based on nano-optimized components (long term)● Smart Grids○ Nanosensors (e.g. magnetoresistive) for intelligent and flexible grid management capable of managing higly decentralised power feeds● Heat transfer○ Efficient heat in- and outflow based on nano-optimized heat exchangers and conductors (e.g. based on CNT composites) in industries and buildings	● Electrical Energy○ Batteries: Optimized Li-ion batteries by using nanostructured electrodes and flexible, ceramic separator foils, application in mobile electronics, automobile, flexible load management in power grids (mid term)○ Supercapacitors: Nanomaterials for electrodes (carbon-aerogels, CNT, metall (-oxides) and elektrolytes for higher energy densities)● Chemical Energy○ Hydrogen: nanoporous materials (organometals, metal hydrides) for applicatio in micro fuel cells formobile electronics or in automobile (long term)○ Fuel reforming/Refining: nano-catalysts for optimized fuel production (oil refining, desulphurization, coal liquefaction)○ Fuel Tanks: Gas tight fuels tanks based on nano-composites for reduction of hydrocarbon emissions● Thermal Energy○ Phase change materials: Encapsulated PCM for air conditioning of buildings○ Adsorptive storage: nano-porous materials (eg. Zeolites) for reversible heat storage in buildings and heating nets	● Thermal insulation○ Nanoporous foams and gels (aerogels, polymer foams) for thermal insulation of building and industrial process● Air conditioning○ Intelligent mangement of light and heat flux in buildings by electrochromic windows, micro mirror arrays, or IR-reflector● Lightweight ConstructionLightweight construction materials using nano-composites (carbon nanotubes, metal-matrix composites, nano coated light metals, ultra performance concrete, polymer-composites)● Industrial Process○ Substitution of energy intensive processes based on nanotech process inovation (e.g. nano-catalysts, self-assembling processes, etc.)● Lighting○ Energy efficient lighting systems (e.g.: LED and OLED)

Tab.1 Possible nano-material developments [,]

Fig.3 Schematic illustration of encapsulation process of lithium-ion nano particles in tin hollow carbon balls []

Fig.4 Three schematic structures of carbon nanotubes []

Tab.2 Studies on carbon nanostructure for hydrogen storage []

Fig.5 Schematic figure of the working principle of LED []

Fig.6 Schematic picture of CNT-based ultra-capacitors []

Fig.7 A 65 million square feet of solar rooftops in California (picture courtesy of CNN)

Tab.3 Comparison of solar cell efficiency based on its material []

Fig.8 Scanning Electron Microscopy of nano-sized TiO having particle size of 10-300 nm for Gr?tzel cell application (picture courtesy of University of Washington)

Fig.9 Schematic figure of Gr?tzel cell layer []

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