Nanomaterials For Photon Energy Conversion

Energy production and conversion are significant technological challenges of the current global scenario. On the energy production side, solar photon conversion to electricity, heat, and hydrogen is the clean and most environmentally friendly method. However, these technologies still suffer from efficiency due to the lack of an appropriate material for converting photon energy to a valuable form of energy. On the utilization side, efficient photon energy conversion is essential in optical communication, lighting application, and sensing technologies. After the advent of nanotechnologies, energy production and conversion technologies gathered momentum. The invention of semiconductor heterojunctions with nanostructured materials is a major milestone in making photon energy conversion more efficient, cost-effective, and scalable. Metal oxides, naturally n-type or p-type, are emerging as potential candidates for heterojunctions. These materials are considered next-generation optoelectronics and photonic materials. The research in this direction shows that heterojunctions with nanofilms, nanowires, and nanoparticles are promising for solar photovoltaic conversion, solar-to-hydrogen conversion, and luminescent applications. Recently, many novel nanostructured surfaces have been reported for super hydrophilicity that enables solar to thermal energy transfer more efficiently.

This Research Topic of Frontiers in Nanotechnology is intended to bring together nanomaterials research in all these cutting-edge photon energy conversion technologies. This will give comprehensive visibility and readership to the magazine. Since more than seventy percent of nanomaterials research is currently focused on different aspects and applications of photon energy conversion, a collection of selected articles on this topic will directly impact the scientific community.