About this Research Topic
The role of nanostructured materials in addressing the challenges in energy and natural resource management has attracted wide attention. In particular, oriented nanostructures demonstrate promising properties for energy harvesting, conversion and storage. Although the applications differ from field to field, a common fundamental challenge is to improve the generation and transport of electrons and ions. Recently, in addition to seeking new materials, the majority of scientific attempts are made in promoting the performance: the high surface area to maximize the surface activity; and the importance of optimum dimension and architecture, controlled pore channels, and alignment of the nanocrystalline phase to optimize the transport of electrons and ions. This themed collection aims to gather related research on oriented nanostructures and improvements made for advanced energy conversion and storage materials.
This Research Topic highlights the synthesis and application of oriented nanostructures in a few key areas of energy technologies, namely photovoltaics, batteries, supercapacitors, and thermoelectrics. Several major approaches, such as sol-gel processing, direct growth of oriented nanowire arrays, template synthesis, anodization, self-assembly, and top-down approaches, can attain oriented nanostructured films that are applicable for energy applications. One grand challenge in energy conversion and storage is to master the energy and information on the nanoscale to create materials and technologies with capabilities rivalling those of living systems. The success of this Research Topic is expected to strengthen the fundamental and advanced knowledge of materials design, forming a knowledge exchange platform and encouraging the development of the corresponding methodology for researchers in energy and materials fields.
The editorial team welcomes the submission of Original Research Articles, Reviews, Mini Reviews, Perspectives and Short Communications from different backgrounds on related topics, including but not limited to the following list:
• The design and preparation of oriented nanostructures for functional materials
• Exploration of nanostructure functional materials applied in energy conversion and storage, such as photovoltaics, batteries, supercapacitors, thermoelectrics, and fuel cells
• New chemistries behind the application of modified materials
• The mechanism of enhancement coming from synthesis strategies in oriented nanostructures
• Other conversion-types and multivalent materials for energy storage.
This Research Topic highlights the synthesis and application of oriented nanostructures in a few key areas of energy technologies, namely photovoltaics, batteries, supercapacitors, and thermoelectrics. Several major approaches, such as sol-gel processing, direct growth of oriented nanowire arrays, template synthesis, anodization, self-assembly, and top-down approaches, can attain oriented nanostructured films that are applicable for energy applications. One grand challenge in energy conversion and storage is to master the energy and information on the nanoscale to create materials and technologies with capabilities rivalling those of living systems. The success of this Research Topic is expected to strengthen the fundamental and advanced knowledge of materials design, forming a knowledge exchange platform and encouraging the development of the corresponding methodology for researchers in energy and materials fields.
The editorial team welcomes the submission of Original Research Articles, Reviews, Mini Reviews, Perspectives and Short Communications from different backgrounds on related topics, including but not limited to the following list:
• The design and preparation of oriented nanostructures for functional materials
• Exploration of nanostructure functional materials applied in energy conversion and storage, such as photovoltaics, batteries, supercapacitors, thermoelectrics, and fuel cells
• New chemistries behind the application of modified materials
• The mechanism of enhancement coming from synthesis strategies in oriented nanostructures
• Other conversion-types and multivalent materials for energy storage.
Keywords: energy storage, energy conversion, interfacial engineering, nanomaterials, nanocomposites
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.
