Home > Press > Researchers Create ‘Nanoflowers’ for Energy Storage, Solar Cells
 |
| The GeS “nanoflowers” have petals only 20-30 nanometers thick, and provide a large surface area in a small amount of space. |
Abstract:
Researchers from North Carolina State University have created flower-like structures out of germanium sulfide (GeS) - a semiconductor material - that have extremely thin petals with an enormous surface area. The GeS flower holds promise for next-generation energy storage devices and solar cells.
Researchers Create ‘Nanoflowers’ for Energy Storage, Solar Cells
Germany | Posted on October 11th, 2012
"Creating these GeS nanoflowers is exciting because it gives us a huge surface area in a small amount of space," says Dr. Linyou Cao, an assistant professor of materials science and engineering at NC State and co-author of a paper on the research. "This could significantly increase the capacity of lithium-ion batteries, for instance, since the thinner structure with larger surface area can hold more lithium ions. By the same token, this GeS flower structure could lead to increased capacity for supercapacitors, which are also used for energy storage."
To create the flower structures, researchers first heat GeS powder in a furnace until it begins to vaporize. The vapor is then blown into a cooler region of the furnace, where the GeS settles out of the air into a layered sheet that is only 20 to 30 nanometers thick, and up to 100 micrometers long. As additional layers are added, the sheets branch out from one another, creating a floral pattern similar to a marigold or carnation.
"To get this structure, it is very important to control the flow of the GeS vapor," Cao says, "so that it has time to spread out in layers, rather than aggregating into clumps."
GeS is similar to materials such as graphite, which settle into neat layers or sheets. However, GeS is very different from graphite in that its atomic structure makes it very good at absorbing solar energy and converting it into useable power. This makes it attractive for use in solar cells, particularly since GeS is relatively inexpensive and non-toxic. Many of the materials currently used in solar cells are both expensive and extremely toxic.
####
For more information, please click here
Copyright © Wiley-VCH Materials Science Journals
If you have a comment, please
Contact us.
Issuers of news releases, not 7th Wave, Inc. or Nanotechnology Now, are solely responsible for the accuracy of the content.
Bookmark:
News and information
Working backward: Computer-aided design of zeolite templates: Rice scientists apply drug-design lessons to production of industrial minerals June 17th, 2013
METTLER TOLEDO launches new microgram weights Combined with unique calibration service from the UK's NMO June 17th, 2013
Hitachi announces the SU8200 – a new type of cold field emitter SEM June 17th, 2013
AXEON Acquires Assets of Leading Reverse Osmosis Systems Manufacturer June 17th, 2013
Discoveries
Working backward: Computer-aided design of zeolite templates: Rice scientists apply drug-design lessons to production of industrial minerals June 17th, 2013
An Innovative material for the Green Earth: Simple and inexpensive process to make a material for CO2 adsorption June 17th, 2013
Polymer-coated catalyst protects "artificial leaf" June 17th, 2013
Efficient and inexpensive: Researchers develop catalyst material for fuel cells: Platinum-nickel nano-octahedra save 90 percent platinum June 17th, 2013
Announcements
An Innovative material for the Green Earth: Simple and inexpensive process to make a material for CO2 adsorption June 17th, 2013
Polymer-coated catalyst protects "artificial leaf" June 17th, 2013
Efficient and inexpensive: Researchers develop catalyst material for fuel cells: Platinum-nickel nano-octahedra save 90 percent platinum June 17th, 2013
AXEON Acquires Assets of Leading Reverse Osmosis Systems Manufacturer June 17th, 2013
Energy
Polymer-coated catalyst protects "artificial leaf" June 17th, 2013
Efficient and inexpensive: Researchers develop catalyst material for fuel cells: Platinum-nickel nano-octahedra save 90 percent platinum June 17th, 2013
Nanoparticles helping to recover more oil June 15th, 2013
Nanoparticle Opens the Door to Clean-Energy Alternatives June 14th, 2013
Battery Technology/Capacitors/Generators/Piezoelectrics
Unzipped nanotubes unlock potential for batteries: Rice University lab combines graphene nanoribbons with tin oxide for improved anodes June 13th, 2013
Filmmaking magic with polymers June 12th, 2013
'Popcorn' particle pathways promise better lithium-ion batteries June 11th, 2013
UC Santa Barbara study provides a new framework for understanding the energetics of ionic liquids June 8th, 2013
Solar/Photovoltaic
Polymer-coated catalyst protects "artificial leaf" June 17th, 2013
Further research on effects of nanomaterials: BASF participates in BMBF research project on safety of nanomaterials: Results allow easier and faster evaluation of nanoparticle behavior June 12th, 2013
Graphene and semiconductor technology together: smaller, cheaper, better June 12th, 2013
Space Solar Power: Key to a Livable Planet Earth June 10th, 2013