Functional Materials for Sustainable Energy Applications

Global demand for low cost, efficient and sustainable energy production is ever increasing. Driven by recent discoveries and innovation in the science and technology of materials, applications based on functional materials are becoming increasingly important. Functional materials for sustainable energy applications provides an essential guide to the development and application of these materials in sustainable energy production.

Part one reviews functional materials for solar power, including silicon-based, thin-film, and dye sensitized photovoltaic solar cells, thermophotovoltaic device modelling and photoelectrochemical cells. Part two focuses on functional materials for hydrogen production and storage. Functional materials for fuel cells are then explored in part three where developments in membranes, catalysts and membrane electrode assemblies for polymer electrolyte and direct methanol fuel cells are discussed, alongside electrolytes and ion conductors, novel cathodes, anodes, thin films and proton conductors for solid oxide fuel cells. Part four considers functional materials for demand reduction and energy storage, before the book concludes in part five with an investigation into computer simulation studies of functional materials.

With its distinguished editors and international team of expert contributors, Functional materials for sustainable energy applications is an indispensable tool for anyone involved in the research, development, manufacture and application of materials for sustainable energy production, including materials engineers, scientists and academics in the rapidly developing, interdisciplinary field of sustainable energy.

• An essential guide to the development and application of functional materials in sustainable energy production
• Reviews functional materials for solar power
• Focuses on functional materials for hydrogen production and storage, fuel cells, demand reduction and energy storage

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Woodhead Publishing Series in Energy

Preface

Part I: Functional materials for solar power

Chapter 1: Silicon-based photovoltaic solar cells

Abstract:

1.1 Introduction

1.2 Polysilicon production

1.3 Crystallisation and wafering

1.4 Solar cells: materials issues and cell architectures

1.5 Conclusions

Chapter 2: Photovoltaic (PV) thin-films for solar cells

Abstract:

2.1 Introduction

2.2 Amorphous silicon thin-film photovoltaic (PV)

2.3 Cadmium telluride thin-film PV

2.4 Copper indium diselenide thin-film PV

2.5 Materials sustainability

2.6 Future trends

2.7 Sources of further information and advice

Chapter 3: Rapid, low-temperature processing of dye-sensitized solar cells

Abstract:

3.1 Introduction to dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs)

3.2 Manufacturing issues

3.3 Sensitization

3.4 Electrodes

3.5 Electrolyte

3.6 Quality control (QC)/lifetime testing

3.7 Conclusions and future trends

3.8 Acknowledgements

Chapter 4: Thermophotovoltaic (TPV) devices: introduction and modelling

Abstract:

4.1 Introduction to thermophotovoltaics (TPVs)

4.2 Practical TPV cell performance

4.3 Modelling TPV cells

4.4 Tandem TPV cells

4.5 Conclusions

Chapter 5: Photoelectrochemical cells for hydrogen generation

Abstract:

5.1 Introduction

5.2 Photoelectrochemical cells: principles and energetics

5.3 Photoelectrochemical cell configurations and efficiency considerations

5.4 Semiconductor photoanodes: material challenges

5.5 Semiconductor photocathodes: material challenges

5.6 Advances in photochemical cell materials and design

5.7 Interfacial reaction kinetics

5.8 Future trends

5.9 Acknowledgements

5.11 Appendix: abbreviations

Part II: Functional materials for hydrogen production and storage

Chapter 6: Reversible solid oxide electrolytic cells for large-scale energy storage: challenges and opportunities

Abstract:

6.1 Introduction to reversible solid oxide cells

6.2 Operating principles and functional materials

6.3 Degradation mechanisms in solid oxide electrolysis cells

6.4 Research needs and opportunities

6.5 Summary and conclusions

Chapter 7: Membranes, adsorbent materials and solvent-based materials for syngas and hydrogen separation

Abstract:

7.1 Introduction

7.2 H2-selective membrane materials

7.3 CO2-selective membrane materials

7.4 Adsorbent materials for H2/CO2 separation

7.5 Solvent-based materials for H2/CO2 separation

7.6 Future trends

7.7 Sources of further information and advice

Chapter 8: Functional materials for hydrogen storage

Abstract:

8.1 Introduction

8.2 Hydrogen storage with metal hydrides: an introduction

8.3 Hydrogen storage with interstitial hydrides, AlH3 and MgH2

8.4 Hydrogen storage with complex metal hydrides

8.5 Hydrogen storage using other chemical systems

8.6 Hydrogen storage with porous materials and nanoconfined materials

8.7 Applications of hydrogen storage

8.8 Conclusions

Part III: Functional materials for fuel cells

Chapter 9: The role of the fuel in the operation, performance and degradation of fuel cells

Abstract:

9.1 Introduction

9.2 Thermodynamics of fuel cell operation and the effect of fuel on performance

9.3 Hydrocarbon fuels and fuel processing

9.4 Methanol

9.5 Other fuels

9.6 Deleterious effects of fuels on fuel cell performance

9.7 Conclusions

9.8 Acknowledgements

Chapter 10: Membrane electrode assemblies for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells

Abstract:

10.1 Introduction

10.2 Requirements for membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs)

10.3 Porous backing layer materials

10.4 Membrane materials

10.5 MEA electrode catalyst layer

10.6 MEA performance

10.7 Conclusions

Chapter 11: Developments in membranes, catalysts and membrane electrode assemblies for direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs)

Abstract:

11.1 Introduction

11.2 Historica! development and technical challenges

11.3 Methanol oxidation reaction catalysts

11.4 Oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalysts

11.5 Proton exchange membranes

11.6 Membrane electrode assembly (MEA) fabrication and structure

11.7 Conclusions and future trends

11.8 Acknowledgements

Chapter 12: Electrolytes and ion conductors for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs)

Abstract:

12.1 Introduction

12.2 Oxide ion conduction

12.3 Electrolyte materials for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs)

12.4 Preparation and characterization of electrolyte materials for SOFCs

12.5 Conclusions

Chapter 13: Novel cathodes for solid oxide fuel cells

Abstract:

13.1 Introduction

13.2 The oxygen reduction reaction in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) and implications for cathode materials

13.3 Conventional cathode materials: perovskitetype oxides

13.4 Innovative cathode materials: structural aspects of 2D non-stoichiometric perovskite-related oxides

13.5 Comparative transport properties and electrochemical performances of 2D non-stoichiometric oxides

13.6 Ln2NiO4 + d oxides: innovative and flexible materials for air electrodes of protonic ceramic fuel cells (PCFCs) and electrolyzers

13.7 Prospective conclusions

Chapter 14: Novel anode materials for solid oxide fuel cells

Abstract:

14.1 Introduction

14.2 Requirements for solid oxide fuel cell anode materials

14.3 Cermet solid oxide fuel cell anode materials

14.4 Perovskite-structured solid oxide fuel cell anode materials

14.5 Other oxide anode materials

14.6 Non-oxide anode materials

14.7 Poisoning of solid oxide fuel cell anode materials

14.8 Conclusions and future trends

Chapter 15: Thin-film solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) materials

Abstract:

15.1 Introduction

15.2 Electrolytes

15.3 Anode materials

15.4 Cathode materials

15.5 Device structures

15.6 Conclusions

15.7 Acknowledgments

15.9 Appendix: glossary

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