Metal oxide nanomaterials exhibit interesting electrical and photochemical properties because of their size, stability, and high surface area that render them as great choices in fabricating alternative electrode materials for electrochemical energy storage and sensor applications. The hybridization of metal oxides with other materials lead to the improvement in electrical conductivity, stability, and electron transfer kinetics during the electrocatalytic reactions. These key factors result in greater sensitivity of the sensor materials towards the analyte molecules. This book reviews the electrochemical determination of a variety of toxic chemical contaminants using metal oxide-based nanocomposite materials. Ultrasensitive and selective detection of toxic chemical contaminants is important and demanding, especially for monitoring and controlling environmental pollution. In recent years, metal oxide-based nanocomposite materials have shown high potential in the electrochemical detection of heavy metals, inorganic anions, phenolic compounds, pesticides, and chemical warfare reagents. Metal Oxides in Nanocomposite-Based Electrochemical Sensors for Toxic Chemicals comprehensively reviews this topic. In addition to the instrumental simplicity, the electrochemical methods show the improved sensor performance through the synergetic effect of metal oxide and other electroactive nanomaterial present in the nanocomposite. Thus, detailed information on the electrochemical sensing of toxic chemical contaminants using metal oxide-based nanomaterials are discussed. The recent progress in developing electrochemical sensors using metal oxide-based nanocomposite materials and perspectives on future opportunities in sensor research and development are addressed in the book.

Nanoscale Graphitic Carbon Nitride focuses on multi-functional applications including energy conversion, storage and healthcare. Polymeric graphitic carbon nitride materials have attracted much attention in recent years because of their similarity to graphene. They are composed of carbon, nitrogen and some minor hydrogen content. In contrast to graphene, g-Graphitic carbon nitride is a medium band-gap semiconductor and in that role an effective photocatalyst and chemical catalyst for a broad variety of reactions and applications. This book covers the fundamentals and applications of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) in different sectors. It also covers the application of graphitic carbon nitride-based composites with metal, metal oxides, metal sulphide and carbon-based materials. This is an important resource for researchers in the fields of materials science, engineering, energy storage and chemical engineering who want to understand how nanoscale graphitic carbon nitride is being used for a range of industrial applications and processes.

Graphene-Based Electrochemical Sensors for Biomolecules presents the latest on these nanomaterials that have gained a lot of attention based on their unique properties of high mechanical flexibility, large surface area, chemical stability, superior electric and thermal conductivities that render them great choices as alternative electrode materials for electrochemical energy storage and sensor applications. The hybridization of graphene with other nanomaterials induces a synergetic effect, leading to the improvement in electrical conductivity, stability and an enhancement of the electrocatalytic activity of the new nanocomposite material. This book discusses the electrochemical determination of a variety of biomolecules using graphene-based nanocomposite materials. Finally, recent progress in the development of electrochemical sensors using graphene-based nanocomposite materials and perspectives on future opportunities in sensor research and development are discussed in detail.

Nanostructured, Functional, and Flexible Materials for Energy Conversion and Storage Systems gathers and reviews developments within the field of nanostructured functional materials towards energy conversion and storage. Contributions from leading research groups involved in interdisciplinary research in the fields of chemistry, physics and materials science and engineering are presented. Chapters dealing with the development of nanostructured materials for energy conversion processes, including oxygen reduction, methanol oxidation, oxygen evolution, hydrogen evolution, formic acid oxidation and solar cells are discussed. The work concludes with a look at the application of nanostructured functional materials in energy storage system, such as supercapacitors and batteries. With its distinguished international team of expert contributors, this book will be an indispensable tool for anyone involved in the field of energy conversion and storage, including materials engineers, scientists and academics.

Covers key areas of heterojunction nanomaterials for easy understanding of students, researchers, and academicians to promote the research in this field Systematically summarizes synthetic strategies, physicochemical properties, photocatalytic mechanisms, and applications of heterojunction materials through high-quality illustrations and schematic diagrams and references accompanying each chapter Emphasizes the ongoing challenges and potential directions for future development of heterojunction photocatalysts

Renewable energies have become an attractive option to overcome the energy demands in sustainable and affordable ways. It has been estimated that one-third of the total renewable energies would be generated from photovoltaics (PVs). A solar or PV cell is a device that directly converts sunlight into electricity by taking benefit of the photoelectric effect. In the third-generation solar PVs, dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are believed to be the most promising and have attracted wide attention. The optimization of a DSSC is focused on four main components: (i) metal oxide semiconductor, (ii) photosensitizer, (iii) redox couple electrolyte, and (iv) counter electrode. Among these, the counter electrode undertakes three functions: (i) as a catalyst, (ii) as a positive electrode of primary cells, and (iii) as a mirror. To obey these functions, the electrode material should have high catalytic activity, high conductivity, high reflectivity, high surface area, and electrochemical and mechanical stability. To improve the performance of DSSCs, many scientists have developed new counter electrodes made of platinum, carbon materials, transition metals, conductive polymers, and composites. This book converses the various aspects of materials for the fabrication of counter electrodes especially for the DSSCs.

Offers an Interdisciplinary approach to the engineering of functional materials for efficient solar cell technology Written by a collection of experts in the field of solar cell technology, this book focuses on the engineering of a variety of functional materials for improving photoanode efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC). The first two chapters describe operation principles of DSSC, charge transfer dynamics, as well as challenges and solutions for improving DSSCs. The remaining chapters focus on interfacial engineering of functional materials at the photoanode surface to create greater output efficiency. Interfacial Engineering in Functional Materials for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells begins by introducing readers to the history, configuration, components, and working principles of DSSC It then goes on to cover both nanoarchitectures and light scattering materials as photoanode. Function of compact (blocking) layer in the photoanode and of TiCl4 post-treatment in the photoanode are examined at next. Next two chapters look at photoanode function of doped semiconductors and binary semiconductor metal oxides. Other chapters consider nanocomposites, namely, plasmonic nanocomposites, carbon nanotube based nanocomposites, graphene based nanocomposites, and graphite carbon nitride based nanocompositesas photoanodes. The book: Provides comprehensive coverage of the fundamentals through the applications of DSSC Encompasses topics on various functional materials for DSSC technology Focuses on the novel design and application of materials in DSSC, to develop more efficient renewable energy sources Is useful for material scientists, engineers, physicists, and chemists interested in functional materials for the design of efficient solar cells Interfacial Engineering in Functional Materials for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells will be of great benefit to graduate students, researchers and engineers, who work in the multi-disciplinary areas of material science, engineering, physics, and chemistry.

A comprehensive volume on photocatalytic functional materials for environmental remediation As the need for removing large amounts of pollution and contamination in air, soil, and water grows, emerging technologies in the field of environmental remediation are of increasing importance. The use of photocatalysis--a green technology with enormous potential to resolve the issues related to environmental pollution--breaks down toxic organic compounds to mineralized products such as carbon dioxide and water. Due to their high performance, ease of fabrication, long-term stability, and low manufacturing costs, photofunctional materials constructed from nanocomposite materials hold great potential for environmental remediation. Photocatalytic Functional Materials for Environmental Remediation examines the development of high performance photofunctional materials for the treatment of environmental pollutants. This timely volume assembles and reviews a broad range of ideas from leading experts in fields of chemistry, physics, nanotechnology, materials science, and engineering. Precise, up-to-date chapters cover both the fundamentals and applications of photocatalytic functional materials. Semiconductor-metal nanocomposites, layered double hydroxides, metal-organic frameworks, polymer nanocomposites, and other photofunctional materials are examined in applications such as carbon dioxide reduction and organic pollutant degradation. Providing interdisciplinary focus to green technology materials for the treatment of environmental pollutants, this important work: Provides comprehensive coverage of various photocatalytic materials for environmental remediation useful for researchers and developers Encompasses both fundamental concepts and applied technology in the field Focuses on novel design and application of photocatalytic materials used for the removal of environmental contaminates and pollution Offers in-depth examination of highly topical green-technology solutions Presents an interdisciplinary approach to environmental remediation Photocatalytic Functional Materials for Environmental Remediation is a vital resource for researchers, engineers, and graduate students in the multi-disciplinary areas of chemistry, physics, nanotechnology, environmental science, materials science, and engineering related to photocatalytic environmental remediation.

Disposable electrodes have been widely used as a sensing platform in electrical and electrochemical sensors owing to the possibility of quantitative detection using clinical biomarkers with high precision, sensitivity and reproducibility, which are necessary for accurate diagnosis of the health condition of an individual. This book focusses on the emerging disposable electrochemical sensors in the health sector and the advancement of analytical devices to monitor diabetic, cancer and cardiovascular patients using different nanomaterials. It discusses the upcoming strategies, advantages and the limitations of the existing devices using disposable electrodes. Uniquely, it covers in-depth knowledge of mechanistic features of various designs of screen-printing electrodes and the material aspects required of sensors developed for the healthcare field. It also looks at the portable devices using a variety of materials and the future directions for research in this area. Appealing to the health care industry, this book is aimed at academic and research institutes at both the graduate and postgraduate level. The contributors are leading experts in the field and they are providing guidance for the next decade of research in the field of disposable electrochemical biosensors.