Nanomaterials for Energy Storage Systems-A Review

Abstract

The ever-increasing global energy demand necessitates the development of efficient, sustainable, and high-performance energy storage systems. Nanotechnology, through the manipulation of materials at the nanoscale, offers significant potential for enhancing the performance of energy storage devices due to unique properties such as increased surface area and improved conductivity. This review paper investigates the crucial role of nanotechnology in advancing energy storage technologies, with a specific focus on capacitors and batteries, including lithium-ion, sodium-sulfur, and redox flow. We explore the diverse applications of nanomaterials in batteries, encompassing electrode materials (e.g., carbon nanotubes, metal oxides), electrolytes, and separators. To address challenges like interfacial side reactions, advanced nanostructured materials are being developed. We also delve into various manufacturing methods for nanomaterials, including top-down (e.g., ball milling), bottom-up (e.g., chemical vapor deposition), and hybrid approaches, highlighting their scalability considerations. While challenges such as cost-effectiveness and environmental concerns persist, the outlook for nanotechnology in energy storage remains promising, with emerging trends including solid-state batteries and the integration of nanomaterials with artificial intelligence for optimized energy storage.

Keywords: energy storage; lithium-ion; nanomaterials; redox flow; sodium–sulfur; supercapacitors.

Figure 11

Relation between conductivity and temperature with 5% and 0% of S-ZrO₂, two containing the PEO₈LiBF₄ mixing [139]. © Annals of the New York Academy Science, 2006.

Figure 19

The synthesizing process of the sol–gel approach: (a) conversion of colloidal sol into film; (b) powder of colloidal gel converts into gel. © Elsevier, 2010 [286].

Figure 1

Schematic diagram of the outline of the review paper.

Figure 2

Schematic demonstration of various nanomaterial applications in different areas [14]. © Elsevier, 2024.

Figure 3

Classification of nanomaterials [18]. © Elsevier, 2020.

Figure 4

Mode of operation of LiBs. © ACS, 2013 [20].

Figure 5

Classification of negative electrode materials.

Figure 6

Relationship between capacity and potential voltage of different types of anode materials. © Elsevier, 2014 [23].

Figure 7

Self-assembled MWNT thin film with charged MWNTs [46]. © ACS, 2009.

Figure 8

(a) Schematic demonstration of hydrogenated LTO fabrication; (b) electrochemical performance of LTO and hydrogenated LTO nanowires [57]. © Advanced materials, 2012.

Figure 9

Types of cathode materials and their subcategories.

Figure 10

(a) Modification of the LFP cathode with CNT or CB (TEM images), (b) cycle number vs. capacity relation with CB, CNT, and CNT/CB. (c) Schematic of CB (red spheres), CNT (gray tubules), and CB/CNT network as a conductive additive for LiFePO₄/C (green spheres) composite cathodes. [131]. © ACS, 2014.

Figure 12

Separator with inorganic and organic tri-layer through the schematic diagram and SEM image [148]. © Elsevier, 2010.

Figure 13

Operating principle of sodium–sulfur battery cell [150]. © John Wiley and Sons, 2005.

Figure 14

A flow battery cell with its main components [182]. © John Wiley and Sons, 2024.

Figure 15

Operating principle of an electrochemical double-layer capacitor [242]. © John Wiley and Sons, 2023.

Figure 16

Synthesis of top–down and bottom–up approaches. © Elsevier, 2019 [271].

Figure 17

DC magnetron sputtering method. © Elsevier, 2017 [276].

Figure 18

The CVD approach. (A) In situ CVD growth simultaneously, (B) in situ CVD growth sequentially, (C) growth of assisted lithography, and (D) growth of conversion. © Elsevier, 2016 [282].

Figure 20

Evidence of later generations’ LiBs ought to be lightweight and slim without sacrificing power or energy [322]. © Energy Science & Engineering, 2015.

Figure 21

Economic impact of the advancement of nanomaterials in energy-related technologies [336].