Paradigms of Titanate Centered Energy Materials

Book excerpt: Titanate-centered perovskites are an important class of crystalline materials with outstanding structural and property tunability. Recently, titanate perovskites have been extensively investigated as new-generation materials for various energy-allied applications, together with photovoltaic cells, light emitting diodes, photo detectors and lasers, for their exceptional optical and electronic properties. With increasing attention on the development of nanotechnology and multidisciplinary research, scientists have been trying to downscale the titanate perovskite structures into the nanoregime, so as to further boost their performances and applications. Compared with bulk perovskite materials, perovskite nanomaterials exhibit a series of advantages, such as fabrication of thin films and flexible devices and PNMs display high process ability. Perovskite nanomaterials feature rich and controllable facets and active sites. Besides benefiting from the small-size effect and quantum effect, perovskite nanomaterials are endowed with outstanding photo-electromagnetic properties. Furthermore, the applications of titanate-centered perovskites in the fields of energy, environment, WLEDs, forensic science and piezoelectric devices will be reviewed. This book will also discuss the possible solutions to the problems in their application by optimizing their compositions, structures and preparation methods. This book will systematically summarize the key points in the design, synthesis, property improvements and application expansion of titanate-centered perovskites. The different perovskite structures and the rational design of functional materials will be discussed in detail. The advantages, disadvantages and experimental parameters of different synthesis methods for titanate-centered perovskites will be reviewed. This book will also summarize some practical experiences in selecting suitable elements and designing multifunctional materials according to the mechanisms and principles of elements promoting the properties of perovskites by covering almost last 20 years of literature. At the end of this book, we will provide an outlook on the opportunities and challenges in the view of development in titanate-centered perovskites The inclusive effectiveness and practicality of prospective titanate energy materials and systems are directly connected to many materials-related factors. This volume of book features totally seven sections that envelop a wide range of titanate energy materials. They cover the modern developments involving materials for alternative and renewable energy sources and systems, including energy storage and batteries, nanocomposites, hydrogen, solar, wind, geothermal, biomass and nuclear. The book is a significant orientation for students and researchers (from academics, but also industry) interested in understanding the properties of emerging titanate energy materials and challenges in the recent era.