Nanoenergy (eBook)

Preface 5
Contents 7
1 Incorporation of Inorganic Nanoparticles into Bulk Heterojunction Organic Solar Cells 8
Abstract 8
1…Introduction 8
2…Organic Solar Cells 12
3…Semiconductor Nanoparticles in Organic Solar Cells 17
4…Metal Nanoparticles in Organic Solar Cells 29
5…Conclusions and Perspectives 42
Acknowledgments 43
References 43
2 Nanomaterials for Solar Energy Conversion: Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells Based on Ruthenium (II) Tris-Heteroleptic Compounds or Natural Dyes 55
Abstract 55
1…Aims and Scope 55
2…Introduction 56
2.1 Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells: Principles and Operation 57
2.2 Performance Experiments 58
2.2.1 Current--voltage (IxV) Curves 58
2.2.2 Photocurrent Action Spectra 59
2.3 Molecular Engineering 60
3…Ruthenium Tris-Heteroleptic Complexes 61
3.1 2,2vprime-Bipyridine Derivative Ligands 62
3.1.1 Amphiphilic Compounds 62
3.1.2 Donor-Antenna Compounds 63
3.1.3 Thiophene Compounds 72
3.2 1,10-Phenanthroline Derivative Ligands 72
4…Natural Dyes 81
5…Conclusion 82
Acknowledgments 82
References 82
3 Facile Routes to Produce Hematite Film for Hydrogen Generation from Photoelectro-Chemical Water Splitting 87
Abstract 87
1…Introduction 87
2…Photoanode Processed by Sol--Gel Process 89
3…Colloidal Deposition 92
4…Hydrothermal Synthesis 95
Acknowledgments 101
References 101
4 Biofuel Cells: Bioelectrochemistry Applied to the Generation of Green Electricity 106
Abstract 106
1…Introduction 106
2…BFCs for Power Energy Production 108
3…Power Energy and Thermodynamics in BFCs 110
4…Nanostructured Materials Applied to Modified Electrodes and BFCs 112
5…Enzyme-Based Modified Electrodes Applied to BFCs 114
6…Microbial-Based Modified Electrodes Applied to BFCs 118
7…Development of Biomimetic Electrodes Applied to BFCs 120
8…Perspectives on Green Energy Generation and Future Applications 121
References 122
5 Recent Advances on Nanostructured Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Electro-Reduction and Ethanol Electro-Oxidation 129
Abstract 129
1…Introduction 130
1.1 Initial Considerations 130
2…Oxygen Reduction Electrocatalysis 130
2.1 Singlecrystals and bulk alloys 132
2.2 Nanoparticle 138
3…Ethanol Electro-Oxidation 143
3.1 Acid Media 143
3.2 Alkaline Electrolyte 149
4…Conclusions 151
4.1 Oxygen Reduction 151
4.2 Ethanol Oxidation 152
Acknowledgments 152
References 152
6 Nanocomposites from V2O5 and Lithium Ion Batteries 156
Abstract 156
1…Introduction 157
2…Vanadium Pentoxide 159
3…Nanomaterials 164
4…Conclusions 176
Acknowledgments 177
References 177
7 Magnesium Alloys as Anode Materials for Ni-MH Batteries: Challenges and Opportunities for Nanotechnology 181
Abstract 181
1…Introduction 181
2…Principles of Nickel-Metal Hydride Batteries 183
2.1 Conventional Alloy Electrodes 186
2.2 Mg Alloy Electrodes 189
3…Concluding Remarks 199
References 200