Nanomaterials for next generation energy storage applications

Storing energy in an efficient and convenient way is one of the main areas of research recently that attract the researchers around the globe. With the continuous emphasis on producing environmental friendly renewable energy from solar panels, wind power generators and heat sources, it is more important now to have more diversified and improved energy storage or converting devices to make the whole system more efficient and cost effective. With nanometer scale dimensions, unique optical and electronic properties and large electrochemically active surface, nanomaterials can be a suitable candidate for the next generation energy storage devices. High electronic and ionic conductivities combined with intrinsic strength and flexibility of low-dimensional materials allows ultrathin, flexible, and structural energy storage solutions. QDs have high specific surface area (SSA) due to which when embedded in other materials electrolytes can penetrate easily which is advantageous for high energy/power density applications. The Lithium Ion Batteries (LIBs) are first-class power source devices for electric energy storage and electric vehicles due to their high capacity, long cycle life, and environmental friendliness, however, they have intrinsic poor electrical conductivity, low Li' diffusion rate in pure materials, and the endless generation and fracture of a solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI). By decreasing the size of the anode to quantum dot scale the disadvantage of a long diffusion length of Li+ can be overcome. Metal oxide nanostructures such as SnO2 and TiO2 nanoparticles are promising alternate as electrode material for LIB. Si quantum dots with size below 5 nm and monodisperse characteristics are suitable materials for Si/C nanocomposites in LIBs. Apart from these several other QDs shows significant potential as important components for next generation energy storage applications.