Energy gels: A bio-inspired material platform for advanced energy applications. Issue 6 (December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Shi, Ye; Zhang, Jun; Pan, Lijia; Shi, Yi; Yu, Guihua
• Is Part Of: Nano today. Volume 11:Issue 6(2016)
• Page Start: 738
• Page End: 762
• Publication Date: 2016-12
• Subjects: Energy Gel -- Carbon based gel -- Conductive polymer gel -- Ionogel -- Inorganic gel -- Nanostructured material -- Energy storage -- Energy conversion -- Bio-inspired material -- Battery -- Supercapacitor; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; Nanosciences -- Périodiques; 620.505
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nantod.2016.10.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1748-0132

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Recent development of gel-based nanomaterials including carbon based gels, conductive polymer gels, ionic gels and inorganic gels is reviewed. Electronically/ionically conductive gels build up a promising material platform for advanced energy applications. Mechanisms for the improvement of electronic/ionic conductivity and mechanical strength of gel systems are discussed. Perspectives for each type of energy gels are given. Abstract: Energy conversion and storage systems with high efficiency have attracted great research interest in recent years. To improve the performance of energy devices, nanomaterials with delicately controlled structures and interfaces have been applied. However, low-dimensional nanomaterials suffer from inhomogeneous aggregation, severe re-stacking, and the formation of bottlenecks and poor contacts during the processing and assembly, thus hindering the transport of electrons or ions in energy devices. Gel materials, a special class of bio-inspired materials, are emerging as promising candidates to overcome the drawbacks of low-dimensional nanomaterials. The 3D nanostructured gel network promotes electron transport along the backbone while facilitating the diffusion of ions through hierarchical pores, as well as providing high surface area for interfacial reactions. In addition, the properties of gels can be facilely tuned, thereby further extending their applications and improving their performance. To date, various synthetic strategies have been developed for the preparation of gel materials, including carbon-based gels, conductive polymer gels, ionically conductive gels and inorganic gels. These gel materials have successfully served as electrode materials, electrolytes, self-supported current collectors, 3D binder systems, etc . in various kinds of energy conversion and storage applications, such as lithium ion batteries, supercapacitors, catalysts, and fuel cells. In this review, we summarize the synthesis of various electrically conductive gel materials, including carbon-based gels, conductive polymer gels, and ionically conductive gels and their applications in energy conversion and storage devices. We also provide the perspective on the future developments of these gel materials in energy-related fields.