Nanophysics Is Boosting Nanotechnology for Clean Renewable Energy

• Published in: Materials 2024-11, Vol.17 (21), p.5356
• Main Authors: Lobo, Rui F M, Sequeira, César A C
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Ablation; Air pollution; Alternative energy sources; Batch processing; Book publishing; Carbon; Catalysis; Chemical vapor deposition; Chemicals; Chemistry; Clean energy; Clean technology; Emissions; Energy costs; Energy industry; Energy management systems; Energy technology; Graphite; Green hydrogen; Green market; Green technology; Greenhouse gases; Hydrocarbons; Hydrogen; Hydrogen production; Innovations; Lasers; Material properties; Microscopy; Nanomaterials; Nanotechnology; Physical properties; Physics; Pollution sources; Production processes; Renewable energy; Renewable resources; Solvents; Sustainability
• ISSN: 1996-1944; 1996-1944
• DOI: 10.3390/ma17215356

As nanophysics constitutes the scientific core of nanotechnology, it has a decisive potential for advancing clean renewable energy applications. Starting with a brief foray into the realms of nanophysics' potential, this review manuscript is expected to contribute to understanding why and how this science's eruption is leading to nanotechnological innovations impacting the clean renewable energy economy. Many environmentally friendly energy sources are considered clean since they produce minimal pollution and greenhouse gas emissions; however, not all are renewable. This manuscript focuses on experimental achievements where nanophysics helps reduce the operating costs of clean renewable energy by improving efficiency indicators, thereby ensuring energy sustainability. Improving material properties at the nanoscale, increasing the active surface areas of reactants, achieving precise control of the physical properties of nano-objects, and using advanced nanoscale characterization techniques are the subject of this in-depth analysis. This will allow the reader to understand how nanomaterials can be engineered with specific applications in clean energy technologies. A special emphasis is placed on the role of such signs of progress in hydrogen production and clean storage methods, as green hydrogen technologies are unavoidable in the current panorama of energy sustainability.