Original article: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matdes.2024.112930
One of the biggest challenges today is how to use energy more efficiently. To meet the growing demands for energy in the future, scientists are working on developing better, high-performing inorganic nanomaterials that can serve multiple functions. These materials are important for energy-related tasks like storage, transmission, and conversion because they have special properties such as high electrical and thermal conductivity, chemical stability, and large surface areas.
Inorganic nanomaterials are being researched for their roles in energy technologies like batteries, solar cells, and fuel cells. For example, at the nanometer scale, materials such as piezoelectric, thermoelectric, and photovoltaic materials are showing significant potential. They can turn mechanical, heat, or light energy into electrical energy, making them vital for advanced energy systems. Researchers are focusing on how these nanomaterials can be combined to improve the performance of energy devices.
This ongoing research aims to solve challenges related to the efficiency, cost, and scalability of these materials, offering insights into future energy applications and the obstacles that still need to be overcome.