Nanomaterials in energy

The Raman characterization of different carbon nanomaterials in inert (Ar) atmosphere reveals a strong influence of the laser power (energy density) on the Raman spectra [59]. In general, an increase in the laser power leads to a decrease in the Raman frequency. For example, when using the most common excitation source in Raman spectroscopy - the 514-nm line of an Ar-ion laser - the G Band in the Raman spectrum of carbon onions (Fig. 12.22a) shifts from 1,594 cm (0.1 mW) down to 1,565 cm (0.7 mW). The downshift is related to an increase in the sample temperature and has been measured for other carbon materials including graphite and CNTs. 

Wiesner, Mark R. is the Director of the Environmental and Energy Systems Institute at Rice University, where he holds appointments as Professor in the Departments of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and Chemical Engineering. His recent research addresses the applications of emerging nanomaterials to membrane science and water treatment and an examination of the fate and transport of nanomaterials in the environment. 

The technology is widely applied fine chemicals, pharma, food, polymers. New applications are in the field of materials production (nanomaterials, zeolites). Energy savings and occasionally, because of the much shorter process times, space savings can be substantial. Barriers are investment costs, reactor design (increase of efficiency, irradiation depth on the scale of cms, safety as the radiation is dangerous), limited knowledge of the physical properties of the materials to be processed (dielectric properties). 

Zhao, X., B. M. Sanchez, P. J. Dobson, and P. S. Grant. 2011. The role of nanomaterials in redox-based supercapacitors for next generation energy storage devices. Nanoscale 3 839-855. 

TEM. However, this observation is in all cases qualitative and highly localised. A general idea of the morphology of polymer nanocomposites can also be obtained by SEM. The dispersion pattern of the nanomaterial in the polymer matrix may be visualised from SEM micrographs. In addition to topographical information, this also provides the chemical composition near the surface of the nanocomposites or nanomaterials (energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, EDX system). 

G. K. Darbha, A. Ray and R C. Ray, Gold nanoparticle-based miniaturized nanomaterial surface energy transfer probe for rapid and ultrasensitive detection of mercury in soil, water, and fish, ACS Nano, 1(3), 208-214 (2007). 

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