About this Research Topic
Photovoltaics represent the fastest-growing energy conversion sector in the United States and will be a major contributor for a transition to affordable clean energy. Novel electrochemical energy conversion sources like battery technologies, including lithium-ion, sodium-ion, potassium-ion and hybrid batteries, and supercapacitors, also play major roles in establishing an affordable renewable energy source over large sectors.
The goal of this Research Topic is to capture the exciting possibilities and new research in nanoscale materials, biomaterials, thin films, and devices for photovoltaic and energy storage applications in the form of Original Research articles, Perspectives, Mini-Review, and Review articles. The structure-property relations in realizing new semiconductor materials from more sustainable and affordable elements for solar cell absorber layers and electrodes for batteries and supercapacitors will be addressed through theory, synthesis, as well as material characterization aspects.
This Research Topic will also address the current challenges and promising solutions in achieving high-throughput energy conversion and storage devices. Another crucial aspect of this collection will be its focus on the fundamental benefits of these clean energy technologies in terms of long-term environmental impact and climate change toward a sustainable energy future.
This Research Topic aims to highlight the progress in new materials and devices for next-generation energy needs. Areas included in this Research Topic may cover, but are not limited to:
• Nanoscale synthesis of semiconductor and electrode materials for photovoltaic devices, batteries, and supercapacitors
• Novel characterization techniques for investigation of structure-property relations of the new semiconductor nanocrystals
• Biomaterials for energy
• Theoretical investigations of new energy materials for energy conversion and storage
• Synthesis of thin films and device fabrication for various energy conversion and storage applications
Keywords: chalcogenides, functionalized nanoparticles, semiconductors, biomaterials, photovoltaics, batteries, supercapacitors, environmental sustainability
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.