Materials for Renewable and Sustainable Energy

Abstract The rapid expansion of renewable energy technologies requires the development of efficient and reliable stationary energy storage systems. Among emerging alternatives to lithium-ion batteries, molten sodium batteries represent a promising solution due to the abundance of sodium resources, intrinsic safety, and favorable electrochemical characteristics. However, conventional sodium–sulfur…

Abstract Nanogenerators are significant in the era of the emerging biodegradable energy harvesting systems, Internet of Things (IoT) application and wearable gadgets, where battery replacement and external power supply are challenging. The rise in energy demand coupled with concerns regarding environmental contamination caused by fossil fuel-based energy generation has spurred research and develo…

Abstract Lead-based perovskite solar cells (PSCs) offer high efficiencies but pose environmental and stability challenges due to lead toxicity. Cesium tin-germanium tri-iodide (CsSnGeI₃) emerges as a promising lead-free absorber, combining favorable band alignment and improved stability. In this work, we use SCAPS‑1D solar cell simulator to systematically optimize CsSnGeI₃-based PSCs by varying m…

Efficient solar-to-hydrogen conversion remains challenging due to the limited visible-light activity and rapid charge recombination in conventional photocatalysts. Here, we report a plasmon-enhanced nitrogen-doped niobium pentoxide (N–Nb₂O₅) photocatalyst decorated with gold nanoparticles (Au@N–Nb₂O₅) for high-performance solar-driven photocatalytic hydrogen generation. N–Nb₂O₅ was synthesized vi…

Abstract Thermal energy storage (TES) plays a critical role in enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of renewable energy systems. Among TES technologies, phase change materials (PCMs) are widely used due to their high latent heat storage capacity. However, conventional solid–liquid PCMs suffer from leakage, structural instability, and volume expansion, which limit their practical applicatio…

Abstract Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have rapidly emerged as promising next-generation photovoltaic technologies due to their remarkable power conversion efficiencies and low fabrication costs. The performance of PSCs strongly depends on the properties of their functional constituent layers, particularly the hole transport layer (HTL) plays a vital role in controlling and ensuring efficient cha…

Abstract Solar radiation offers benefits such as sustainability, renewability, and environmental friendliness. Furthermore, solar energy can generate multiple forms of energy. Over the past 30 years, the use of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) has been extensively investigated due to their simple manufacturing process, low cost, and excellent energy conversion and storage capabilities. In this …

The increasing demand for sustainable energy solutions has led to extensive research on thermoelectric materials that convert waste heat into electricity. Half-Heusler alloys are promising candidates due to their stability, electronic properties, and moderate thermal conductivity. To assess their thermoelectric potential, this study investigates the structural, electronic, mechanical, and thermoe…

Abstract CeO 2 nanorod photocatalysts with systematically tuned oxygen vacancy concentrations were synthesized via a one-step NaBH 4 -assisted hydrothermal method to elucidate the role of defect engineering in photocatalytic water splitting. A series of reduced samples (Ce1–Ce5) and pristine CeO 2 were thoroughly characterized. Increasing NaBH 4 dosage induced XRD peak broadening with crystallite…

Abstract Optimal electrode formulations were developed for anionic exchange membrane electrolysis cells. These included improved platinum-group metals (PGMs) free cathodic NiMo and anodic NiFe-oxide-hydroxide (Layered Double Hydroxide, LDH)-based electrocatalysts. The synthesis of the electrocatalysts was performed using simple and cost-effective co-precipitation methods. The characterization of …

Nanostructured metal hydrides have garnered interest in their potential to store hydrogen safely and effectively as an energy carrier. By partially substituting lanthanum (La) with cerium (Ce), the structure of lanthanum pentanickel (LaNi5) was maintained to create a novel encapsulated La–Ce–Ni-based metal hydride (La0.6Ce0.4Ni5). The incorporation of metal-polymer composites can protect metal hy…

Abstract This research explores the efficacy of dry pre-conditioning treatment coupled with accelerated CO 2 curing for mortar incorporating unreactive Calcium Lime Waste (CLW), with a specific focus on enhancing mechanical properties and CO 2 capture. The investigation was initiated by characterizing the CLW material through various microstructural examinations and toxicity tests using the Toxic…

Energy emitted in the form of heat from various sources can be recovered and converted into usable electricity using thermoelectric generators (TEGs). In this study, the efficiency of a π-shaped thermoelectric module composed of p-type ZrMnZ (Z = In, Pb, Bi) legs and n-type Bi2Te3/SiGe alloys were investigated using MATLAB simulation software. The module efficiency was analyzed by varying the p-t…

Clay (c- Ti3C2), delaminated (d- Ti3C2), and silicon nanoparticle-incorporated (c- Ti3C2/Si and d- Ti3C2/Si) MXenes were synthesized, characterized, and electrochemically tested for potential energy storage uses. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and Raman spectroscopy were used …

Abstract Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is valued for its transparency and film-forming ability, but its limited chemical reactivity and weak nanofiller interactions restrict functional tunability. Partially oxidized PVA (OPVA), enriched with ketone and hydroxyl groups, provides a versatile scaffold for nanocomposite design. Transparent OPVA–graphene oxide (GO) films were fabricated via dopant-free aque…

Abstract Polycrystalline silicon (poly-Si) solar cells remain the foundation of terrestrial photovoltaic energy production due to their cost effectiveness, mature manufacturing processes, and proven reliability. However, their outdoor power conversion efficiency is limited by significant optical reflection losses at the air–semiconductor interface, particularly under AM1.5 solar irradiance, which…

In this study, the electrochemical performance of nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide (N-rGO) combined with cobalt-doped MOF catalyst is investigated after annealing at different temperatures for application with proton-exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). The material was characterized using FTIR and Raman spectroscopy, XRD, SEM, XPS, and BET analysis to understand variations in its physical…