The importance of nanostructured materials for energy storage/conversion

Abstract

In recent years, there has been growing demand of utilizing nanomaterials to develop new sustainable products. Nanomaterials offer unique extraordinary properties such as high surface area, eco-friendliness and good mechanical and physical properties. At the moment, the most promising nanomaterials that are widely used are nanoclay, carbonaceous (carbon nanotubes and graphene) nanomaterials, nanocellulose, and metallic oxide nanomaterials. This chapter focuses on the fabrication methods of nanomaterials and their characterization as well as challenges involved during preparation. This encourages the development of innovative methods and technologies of engineering nanomaterials and possible scaling up of those technologies on an industrial scale. In addition to the milestone reached in the fabrication methods of nanomaterials, the future prospects in preparation processes as well as the main obstacles for their industrial scaling up have also been addressed in this chapter.