Role of Carbon Nanomaterials in Energy Generation, Storage, and Conversion

Due to the world's rapidly increasing population and technological advancements, energy is needed. The world’s energy supply is anticipated to double by 2050. Nanotechnology has opened up new possibilities in materials science and engineering, specifically in the manufacture of new materials for efficient energy conversion and storage. Carbon nanomaterials (CBNMs) possess distinctive size and surface-dependent features, such as electrical, morphological, mechanical, and optical properties, that are advantageous for improving energy conversion and storage performance compared to traditional materials. Substantial progress has been made in creating high-performance energy conversion and storage devices such as solar cells, fuel cells, batteries, and supercapacitors. This book chapter focuses on the latest developments and improvements made to the effectiveness of electrode materials used in renewable energy storage and conversion systems by utilizing graphene, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), fullerenes, and nanohybrid fillers. These materials are exceptional candidates for solar cells because of their superior capacity for photon absorption, photovoltaic characteristics, producing photocarriers, and separating charge carriers to create heterojunction. The synthetic method, pore size and distribution, and specific surface area of these materials all impact the capacitance of supercapacitor and battery materials. Additionally, these nanomaterials’ high surface area and electronic conductivity enhance the rate of electrode reactions in fuel cells.