Polymer Nanocomposites for Energy Applications

T. Daniel Thangadurai is Professor in the Department of Chemistry at KPR Institute of Engineering and Technology in India. Manjubaashini Nandhakumar is Research Associate in the National Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology at the University of Madras, India. Sabu Thomas is Vice Chancellor of Mahatma Gandhi University in Kerala, India, as well as the Founder and Director of the International and Interuniversity Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology. Ange Nzihou is a Distinguished Professor of Chemical Engineering at the Research Centre for Particulate Solids, Energy, and Environment, RAPSODEE-CNRS at IMT Mines Albi, France.

• 1 ORIGIN OF POLYMER MATERIALS1.1 History of polymers1.2 Types of Polymers1.3 Properties of Polymers1.4 Physicochemical Properties of Polymers2 SYNTHESIS OF POLYMERS2.1 Features of the Polymerization Reactions2.2 Chain Polymerization2.3 Ring-opening Polymerization2.4 Polycondensation2.5 Polyaddition2.6 Step-growth Polymerization2.7 Dendrimers2.8 Anionic Polymerization2.9 Cationic Polymerization2.10 Controlled Radical Polymerization2.11 Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization (ATRP2.12 Reversible Addition Fragmentation Chain Transfer (RAFT)2.13 Supramolecular Polymerization2.14 Bulk Polymerization2.15 Solution Polymerization2.16 Suspension Polymerization2.17 Methods for the Synthesis of Functional Polymers2.18 Polymer Nanoparticles2.19 Polymer Nanoparticle Synthesis Techniques3 CHARACTERIZATION OF POLYMERIC MATERIALS3.1 Introduction3.2 UV-Visible Spectroscopy3.3 Elemental Analysis3.4 Infrared Spectroscopy3.5 Qualitative Analysis of Polymers3.6 IR Spectra analysis for Polyethylene3.7 Determination of Molecular Weights and Thermodynamic Properties3.8 Differential Scanning Colorimetry (DSC) Analysis3.9 Thermogravimetric Assays (TGA)3.10 Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC)3.11 High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)3.12 Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC)3.13 Raman Spectroscopy3.14 Mechanical Testing and Rheometry3.15 Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy3.16 X-ray Diffraction3.17 Molar Mass and Molar-Mass Distribution3.18 Osmometry3.19 Mass spectrometry3.20 Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)3.21 Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM)3.22 Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM)3.23 Optical Microscopy (OM)4 DIVERSE APPLICATIONS OF POLYMER MATERIALS4.1 Broad Area of Polymer Applications4.2 Polymers in Biotechnology4.3 Polymer Dielectrics for Electronics4.4 Smart and Self-healing Coatings4.5 Polymeric Biocides and Herbicides4.6 Polymers for Soil Remediation4.7 Benefits of Polymers in Fabric and Home-care Formulations4.8 Polymeric Materials for Photonics4.9 Polymers for Electrophotography4.10 Polymers in Energy Applications4.11 Polymers in Construction Applications4.12 Polymers in Automobile Applications5 NANOMATERIALS: TYPES, SYNTHESIS, APPLICATIONS5.1 Nanotechnology5.2 Nanomaterials5.3 Types of Nanomaterials5.4 Synthesis of Nanoparticles5.5 Applications of Nanomaterials6 NANOCOMPOSITE MATERIALS: TYPES, CHARACTERIZATION, APPLICATIONS6.1 Class of Nanocomposites6.2 Different Types of Nanocomposites6.3 Nanocomposite Synthesis Methods6.4 Nanocomposite Characterization Techniques6.5 Applications of Nanocomposite Materials7 POLYMER NANOCOMPOSITES IN ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS7.1 Introduction7.2 Batteries7.3 Thermal7.4 Mechanical Storage7.5 Hydrogen7.6 Pumped Hydropower7.7 Flywheels7.8 Role of Polymer Nanocomposites in Energy Storage Applications7.9 Properties of Polymer Nanocomposites8 POLYMER NANOCOMPOSITES FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS8.1 Renewable Energy Storage8.2 Polymers for Energy Storage8.3 Carbon-based Storage Materials8.4 Energy Storage Capability of Polymer Nanocomposites9 HIGH-PERFORMANCE INORGANIC POLYMER-NANOCOMPOSITES BASED SOLAR CELLS9.1 Introduction9.2 Organic-Organic Composites9.3 Inorganic Nanocomposites9.4 Nanocomposites in Perovskite Solar cells9.5 Polymeric nanocomposites in Dye-sensitized Solar Cells (DSCs)10 POLYMER-NANOCOMPOSITES FOR MAGNETIC ENERGY AND THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE10.1 Background of Polymer Nanocomposites for Energy Storage10.2 Energy Density10.3 Superconducting Magnetic Energy Storage (SMES)10.4 Thermal energy storage (TES)10.5 Nanocomposite Capacitors11 POLYMER-NANOCOMPOSITES FOR TRIBOELECTRICITY AND HYDROGEN STORAGE11.1 Polymer-Nanocomposites for Triboelectricity11.2 Polymer Nanocomposites for Hydrogen storage11.3 Hydrogen based Energy Storage System12 POLYMER NANOCOMPOSITES FOR SUPERCAPACITORS AND BATTERY APPLICATION12.1 Battery based Energy Storage System12.2 Types of Battery12.3 Conducting Polymer Nanocomposites12.4 Fuel Cells12.5 Capacitor and Supercapacitor Energy Storage13 ELECTROCHEMICAL ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS13.1 Introduction13.2 Need for Energy Storage Systems14 LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS OF POLYMER NANOCOMPOSITES FOR ENERGY STORAGE14.1 Scope of a Life Cycle Analysis14.2 Techno-economic Evaluations of Energy Storage Systems14.3 Energy and Power Density14.4 Self-Discharge14.5 Response Time14.6 Cost and Economies of Scale14.7 Lifetime14.8 Storage Capacity14.9 Monitoring and Control Equipment14.10 Efficiency14.11 Operating Constraints15 FUTURE RESEARCH AND CASE STUDIES ON ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM15.1 Introduction15.2 Case study 1: Pumped Storage Hydropower (PSH) in France15.3 Case study 2: Battery Storage15.4 Case study 3: Solar PV Storage and Energy Shift15.5 Case study 4: Solar and Battery Storage for the Customer and Ancillary Services