This book provides a concise, yet comprehensive, overview of recent developments in the synthesis, modification and application of colloid chemistry for functional energy generation and storage materials. Discussing a wide range of nanomaterials, from metals, oxides, and sulphides to phosphide nanoparticles, it also outlines modification strategies to obtain thin films with controlled nanostructures to impart novel electrochemical properties.

Further it describes in detail the basic principles, including the non-hydrolytic sol-gel process, nucleation and growth in nanocrystal colloidal synthesis, highlighting the importance of the colloidal synthesis approach as a tool for the development of novel functional materials for energy production and storage.

Presents the latest developments in a key area of renewable energy research

Covers applications in photoelectrochemistry, hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), and supercapacitors

Represents essential reading for advanced graduate students as well as academic and industry researchers

Autorentext

Edson Roberto Leite is currently Professor at the Department of Chemistry, Federal University of São Carlos, Brazil and Scientific Director of the LNNano-CNPEM. He received his BS and MS degrees in Materials Science and Engineering from the Federal University of São Carlos in 1988 and 1990, respectively. In 1988, he began working at 3M in Brazil, where he participated in the research and development of electronics and telecommunications products, prior to completing his PhD in Materials Science and Engineering at the Federal University of São Carlos in 1993. In January 1994, he joined the Department of Chemistry at the Federal University of São Carlos. From 1998 to 1999, Edson was a Visiting Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA, USA. His current research interests include the synthesis and growth of inorganic nanoparticles via chemical approaches, materials characterization via electron microscopy, thermal stability of nanostructured materials and materials for photoelectrochemistry devices, and solar water splitting. He has published more than 300 scientific papers, edited three books on materials for energy and is the co-author of one book on nucleation and growth processes in nanocrystals. He has also received several awards, including the Scopus Prize for remarkable scientific production from Elsevier /CAPES (2006) and the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation Fellowship for the development of scientific research related to the thermal stability of ceramics nanosystems (2009). In 2012, Edson was selected as Member of the World Academy of Ceramics and Member of the Science Academy of São Paulo State. He is Principal Editor of the Journal of Materials Research (JRM) and Journal of Nanoparticle Research (JNR).

Inhalt

1. Colloidal Synthesis approach - non-hydrolytic sol-gel process.- 2. Nucleation and Growth process.- 3. Colloidal Deposition process (including thin film deposition).- 4. Fundaments of electrochemical properties.- 5. Colloidal Synthesis Approach applied in photoelectrochemistry.- 6. Colloidal Synthesis Approach applied in hydrogen evolution reaction (HER).- 7. Colloidal Synthesis Approach applied in supercapacitors.