This book bridges three different fields: nanoscience, bioscience, and environmental sciences. It starts with fundamental electrostatics at interfaces and includes a detailed description of fundamental theories dealing with electrical double layers around a charged particle, electrokinetics, and electrical double layer interaction between charged particles. The stated fundamentals are provided as the underpinnings of sections two, three, and four, which address electrokinetic phenomena that occur in nanoscience, bioscience, and environmental science. Applications in nanomaterials, fuel cells, electronic materials, biomaterials, stems cells, microbiology, water purificiaion, and humic substances are discussed.

This book, written by leading experts of the international scientific community, is divided into 10 chapters and gives a comprehensive review of the important aspects of conducting polymers. Synthetic methodologies of these polymers and their nanocomposites along with their electrical and electrochemical properties are described herein. Application of the conducting polymers for sensors, solar cells and lithium batteries are also presented. The editor and all contributors believe the subjects highlighted are important topics in the field of conducting polymers and make this book a very useful scientific support to a large audience of readers, from students to senior researchers in the academic community and from engineers to business people in different industrial sectors.

Electrochemistry can be broadly defined as the study of charge-transfer phenomena. As such, the field of electrochemistry includes a wide range of different chemical and physical phenomena. These areas include (but are not limited to): battery chemistry, photosynthesis, ion-selective electrodes, coulometry, and many biochemical processes. Although wide ranging, electrochemistry has found many practical applications in analytical measurements. The field of electroanalytical chemistry is the field of electrochemistry that utilises the relationship between chemical phenomena which involve charge transfer (eg: redox reactions, ion separation, etc.) and the electrical properties that accompany these phenomena for some analytical determination. This book presents the latest research in this field.

Electrorheological (ER) fluid is a smart suspension, whose structure and theological properties can be quickly tuned by an external electric field. This character attracts high attentions in use of conventional and intelligent devices. In this book, the authors introduce new advances in design and preparation of ER materials based on two routes including molecular and crystal structure design and nanocomposite and hybrid design. They specially present some advanced preparation techniques, such as self-assembly, nanocomposite, hybrid, and so on, in order to achieve the design about physical and chemical properties of high-performance ER materials. Furthermore, they present new self-coupled dampers based on ER fluid and piezoelectric ceramic for vibration control, and a flexible sandwiched ER composite for sound transmission control. This new damper works depending on self-coupling effect between ER fluid and piezoelectric ceramic and does not need the external power supply.

Electrochemistry is the branch of chemistry that deals with the chemical action of electricity and the production of electricity by chemical reactions. In a world short of energy sources yet long on energy use, electrochemistry is a critical component of the mix necessary to keep the world economies growing. Electrochemistry is involved with such important applications as batteries, fuel cells, corrosion studies, hydrogen energy conversion, bioelectricity. Research on electrolytes, cells, and electrodes is within the scope of this old but extremely dynamic field.

A fuel cell is an electrochemical energy conversion device. It produces electricity from external supplies of fuel (on the anode side) and oxidant (on the cathode side). These react in the presence of an electrolyte. Generally, the reactants flow in and reaction products flow out while the electrolyte remains in the cell. Fuel cells can operate virtually continuously as long as the necessary flows are maintained. Fuel cells differ from batteries in that they consume reactants, which must be replenished, while batteries store electrical energy chemically in a closed system. Additionally, while the electrodes within a battery react and change as a battery is charged or discharged, a fuel cell's electrodes are catalytic and relatively stable. Fuel cells are very useful as power sources in remote locations, such as spacecraft, remote weather stations, large parks, rural locations, and in certain military applications. A fuel cell system running on hydrogen can be compact, lightweight and has no major moving parts. Because fuel cells have no moving parts, and do not involve combustion, in ideal conditions they can achieve up to 99.9999% reliability. This equates to less than one minute of down time in a six year period. This book presents new leading-edge research in the field.

Electrochemistry is the branch of chemistry that deals with the chemical action of electricity and the production of electricity by chemical reactions. In a world short of energy sources yet long on energy use, electrochemistry is a critical component of the mix necessary to keep the world economies growing. Electrochemistry is involved with such important applications as batteries, fuel cells, corrosion studies, hydrogen energy conversion, bioelectricity. Research on electrolytes, cells, and electrodes is within the scope of this old but extremely dynamic field.

Electrochemistry is the branch of chemistry that deals with the chemical action of electricity and the production of electricity by chemical reactions. In a world short of energy sources yet long on energy use, electrochemistry is a critical component of the mix necessary to keep the world economies growing. Electrochemistry is involved with such important applications as batteries, fuel cells, corrosion studies, hydrogen energy conversion, bioelectricity. Research on electrolytes, cells, and electrodes is within the scope of this old but extremely dynamic field. This volume deals with prevention of metal corrosion.

Over the last three years, there has been an increase in the range of ionic liquids utilised and significant advances in our understanding of the fundamental aspects of these materials. Therefore, the time is apt for Faraday Discussions to provide a foundation for future fundamental challenges and theories that need to be developed to move the subject area forward. This meeting follows on from Faraday Discussion 154 held in 2011 and discusses a range of topics, such as ionicity, structure, electrochemistry, phase behaviour, and introduce areas which were only emerging at that point, such as interactions with liquid and solid interfaces. Ionic liquids have been the focus of intense research over the last 20 years because of their remarkable potential for applications coupled to favourable environmental properties. Ionic liquids are also a medium whereby the nature of the complex interactions (Coulombic, van der Waals and hydrogen bonding) provides a liquid whose structure and properties can be tuned by the choice of the cation and anion wherein reactions are likely to be distinct in terms of activity and selectivity profiles compared with common molecular solvents.

"Catalysis in Electrochemistry: From Fundamental Aspects to Strategies for Fuel Cell Development" is a modern, comprehensive reference work on catalysis in electrochemistry, including principles, methods, strategies, and applications. It points out differences between catalysis at gas/surfaces and electrochemical interfaces, along with the future possibilities and impact of electrochemical science on energy problems. This book contributes both to fundamental science; experience in the design, preparation, and characterization of electrocatalytic materials; and the industrial application of electrocatalytic materials for electrochemical reactions. This is an essential resource for scientists globally in academia, industry, and government institutions.

Pushing the frontiers of electrochemistry—a survey of new surface imaging techniques.

This latest installment in the Frontiers of Electrochemistry series helps readers gain insight into one of the hottest areas of modern electrochemistry. Tracing recent advances in the imaging of electrified surfaces, this volume describes cutting-edge techniques that allow us to record real-time and real-space images with atomic resolution, observe structures of surfaces and interfaces directly on a display, study the distribution of atoms and molecules during a surface reaction, and much more.

Leading international authorities discuss surface imaging techniques used in technologies involving electrocrystallization and electrodeposition of metals—employing numerous examples to demonstrate site specificity of electrode processes, and discussing applications to electronic materials such as the capacity to print nanopatterns at electrode surfaces. They cover techniques that advance our understanding of the properties of organic films and surfaces and interfaces, including scanning electron microscopy and microprobes and atomic force microscopy. Finally, they review the theory of electron tunneling at the metal/solution interface, helping readers interpret images of electrode surfaces obtained by scanning tunneling microscopy.

Designed to meet the needs of specialists and nonspecialists alike, Imaging of Surfaces and Interfaces provides plenty of background material along with eight color plates. It is an important resource for scientists involved in electrochemistry, surface science, materials science, and electrodeposition technologies.

With interdisciplinary perspectives from internationally renowned experts, Noble-Metal-Free Electrocatalysts for Hydrogen Energy is one of the most authoritative references to focus solely on state-of-the-art knowledge of noble-metal-free electrocatalysts, as well as their nanostructures and unique properties. The chapters within contain cutting-edge breakthroughs, horizons, and insights into functional materials for energy applications.This book contains over 3000 references and 200 figures, and is a highly valuable resource for scientists, students, and engineers working in the fields of electrochemistry, catalysis, fuel cells, batteries, and supercapacitors.

Over-consumption of fossil fuels has caused deficiency of limited resources and environmental pollution. Hence, deployment and utilization of renewable energy become an urgent need. The development of next-generation rechargeable batteries that store more energy and last longer has been significantly driven by the utilization of renewable energy.This book starts with principles and fundamentals of lithium rechargeable batteries, followed by their designs and assembly. The book then focuses on the recent progress in the development of advanced functional materials, as both cathode and anode, for next-generation rechargeable batteries such as lithium-sulfur, sodium-ion, and zinc-ion batteries. One of the special features of this book is that both inorganic electrode materials and organic materials are included to meet the requirement of high energy density and high safety of future rechargeable batteries. In addition to traditional non-aqueous rechargeable batteries, detailed information and discussion on aqueous batteries and solid-state batteries are also provided.

Organic semiconductors (OSCs), based on pi-conjugated molecules and macromolecules, are revolutionising the electronics industry. The most topical and potentially lucrative applications to date include organic light emitting diode (OLED) displays and lighting, organic photovoltaics (OPVs) and organic field effect transistors (OFETs). Applications for these technologies are varied and include sensing, medical diagnostics, artificial assemblies, computing and information and communication technologies. This discussion encompasses a range of topical subjects, centred on the theme of organic electronics and photonics, focussing on four specific topics: organic photovoltaics and energy, organic lasers, bioelectronics and sensors and molecular electronics, representing the most exciting developments in organic electronics research.

Electrochemistry takes into account the fundamental concept of electrochemistry and the transport processes. It provides the reader with the insights of electrochemistry so as to better understand the field of bio-electrochemistry and equilibria in the transfer of charges. This book also discusses about equilibria in charge transfer, electrical double layer, heterogeneous electrochemical systems and bio-electrochemistry.

Ion exchange materials are extremely effective absorbents generally containing some functional groups with insoluble structures, which have high affinity capacities towards the targets among a series of structurally similar ions or ion groups. In recent decades, the various methods used to preparing the absorbents for contaminant removal and resource recycle from environment have been extensively studied under the backgrounds of environment pollution and resource shortages. Molecular imprinting technology (MIT) was developed rapidly as a research hot topic to prepare ion exchange materials with shape memory effects. In consideration of the advantages of molecular imprinted polymers (MIPs), including high adsorption capacities, high selectivity, easy recycle etc., their applications in the separation and concentration of target molecules or ions have been widely explored. This book briefly narrates the fundamentals and preparations of MIPs, and particularly focus on the research advances relevant to human-living environment including water, atmosphere and soil. An overview of the most important applications of the ion exchange method in the treatment of industrial wastewaters which contain heavy metal ions, and the main environmental benefits of this method are highlighted. The most important ion exchangers used in environment remediation processes, including their classification and environmental utilisations, are presented as well. The influence of operating conditions on the ion exchange process is discussed, both from efficiency and mechanism perspectives. Also, the opportunities and challenges, which make that the ion exchange method to be still an important research issue at international level, are reviewed. Other chapters familiarise the reader with innovative practices to develop sustainable water treatment methods; review the use of adsorption materials, including raw biomasses, and ion exchange resins for the treatment of olive mill wastewater; various examples of selective removal of heavy metal ions discharged in an effluent from electroplating plants, metal finishing operations, as well as mining and electronics industries through ion exchange are presented and finally; the principal mechanisms and specific features of the copper ion exchange in alkali silicate glasses is explored.

Magnetic nanomaterials have undergone a significant evolution during the past decade, with supramolecular nanoparticle organization reaching unprecedented levels of complexity and the materials providing new approaches to treating cancer. Magnetic Nanomaterials will provide a comprehensive overview of the latest research in the area of magnetic nanoparticles and their broad applications in synthesis, catalysis and theranostics. The book starts with an introduction to magnetism in nanomaterials and magnetic nanoparticle design followed by individual chapters which focus on specific uses. Applications covered include drug delivery, theranostic agents for cancer treatment as well as catalysis, biomass conversion and catalytic enhancement of NMR sensitivity. The reader will have the opportunity to learn about the frontier of magnetic nanotechnology from scientists that have shaped this unique and highly collaborative field of research. Written and edited by experts working within the field across the world, this book will appeal to students and researched interested in nanotechnology, engineering and physical sciences.

Molybdenum and its compounds (oxides, sulphides, carbides, nitrides, selenides, molybdates and molybdenum complexes) have a number of applications in alloys, catalysts, electrochromics, sensors, capacitors, batteries, solar cells and so on. Promising works on their nanostructures have been reported as a means to enhance the performance of materials. The present book is an edited volume on molybdenum and its compounds in different applications. There are chapters concentrating on molybdenum and its alloys, molybdenum oxides, molybdenum sulphides, molybdenum carbides, molybdenum nitrides, molybdenum selenides, molybdenum blues, Keplerate-type molecular spheres, molybdenum complexes and molybdates.

The book intends to give a state-of-the-art overview of flexoelectricity, a linear physical coupling between mechanical (orientational) deformations and electric polarization, which is specific to systems with orientational order, such as liquid crystals.Chapters written by experts in the field shed light on theoretical as well as experimental aspects of research carried out since the discovery of flexoelectricity. Besides a common macroscopic (continuum) description the microscopic theory of flexoelectricity is also addressed. Electro-optic effects due to or modified by flexoelectricity as well as various (direct and indirect) measurement methods are discussed. Special emphasis is given to the role of flexoelectricity in pattern-forming instabilities.While the main focus of the book lies in flexoelectricity in nematic liquid crystals, peculiarities of other mesophases (bent-core systems, cholesterics, and smectics) are also reviewed. Flexoelectricity has relevance to biological (living) systems and can also offer possibilities for technical applications. The basics of these two interdisciplinary fields are also summarized.

Clay minerals are typically formed over long periods of time by the gradual chemical weathering of rocks, usually silicate-bearing, by low concentrations of carbonic acid and other diluted solvents. Since ancient times, clay minerals have been investigated because of their importance in agriculture, ceramics, building and other uses. In this book, the authors present current research in the study of the types, properties and uses of clay. Topics discussed include clay mineral application in electrochemistry and wastewater treatment; organoclay/polymer nanocomposites; use of clays to manufacture honeycomb monoliths for pollution control applications; clays for the removal of dyes from aqueous solutions and structural modification of montmorillonite clays by the pillaring process.

This book presents current research in the field of electrochemistry. Topics discussed include advanced materials for wet electrochemical detection of organic impurities; electrochemical applications of modified electrodes in waste water treatment and energy conversion systems; electrochemical hydrogen storage; application of high temperature electrolysis for large-scale hydrogen production; electrolysis of nitrate aqueous solution; electrocoagulation and electroflotation; and, voltage stabilisation using a storage capacitor and physical and electrochemical properties of quaternary ammonium salts.

This book includes a detailed study on the electrochemical oxidation and corrosion of metals (silver, copper and their alloys) in concentrated aqueous electrolytes solutions. The properties of the electronic subsystem of the solid electrolyte and their effect on the electrode process are discussed as well. In addition, natural and synthesised porous materials are deemed as one of the most important object of study in major contemporary technologies. The authors of this book analyse results of experimental researches revealing the regularities of high-voltage electric discharges influence in solutions of surface-active substances on the absorption processes. Moreover, reaction dynamics at the passive film/solution interface is an important subject from a theoretical and practical point-of-view. In this book, the relative importance of isovalent and oxidative dissolution is estimated, as well as anion-assisted solubilisation during oxidation of stainless alloys. Other chapters discuss non-crystalline semiconductors, crucial to a number of major technological notably in domains of electronic devices energy storage, and converters and environmental monitoring such as batteries, fuel cells and sensor technology. The structure, optical properties, electronic and ionic conduction mechanisms of non-crystalline semi-conductors are explored as well.

This book gathers the latest research from around the globe in the study in the dynamic field of electrochemistry and highlights such topics as: electrochemical applications of modified electrodes in wastewater treatment, corrosion and protection of magnesium and its alloys as a biomaterial, electrochemical hydrogen storage, analysis of electrochemical reactor performance and others.

Superconductivity is the ability of certain materials to conduct electrical current with no resistance and extremely low losses. High temperature superconductors, such as La2-xSrxCuOx (Tc=40K) and YBa2Cu3O7-x (Tc=90K), were discovered in 1987 and have been actively studied since. In spite of an intense, world-wide, research effort during this time, a complete understanding of the copper oxide (cuprate) materials is still lacking. Many fundamental questions are unanswered, particularly the mechanism by which high-Tc superconductivity occurs. More broadly, the cuprates are in a class of solids with strong electron-electron interactions. An understanding of such "strongly correlated" solids is perhaps the major unsolved problem of condensed matter physics with over ten thousand researchers working on this topic. High-Tc superconductors also have significant potential for applications in technologies ranging from electric power generation and transmission to digital electronics. This ability to carry large amounts of current can be applied to electric power devices such as motors and generators, and to electricity transmission in power lines. For example, superconductors can carry as much as 100 times the amount of electricity of ordinary copper or aluminium wires of the same size. Many universities, research institutes and companies are working to develop high-Tc superconductivity applications and considerable progress has been made. This volume brings together new leading-edge research in the field.