Photo‐rechargeable batteries and supercapacitors: Critical roles of carbon‐based functional materials. Issue 2 (17th March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Liqun; Wen, Lei; Tong, Yueyu; Wang, Sihui; Hou, Xinggang; An, Xiaodong; Dou, Shi Xue; Liang, Ji
• Is Part Of: Carbon energy. Volume 3:Issue 2(2021)
• Page Start: 225
• Page End: 252
• Publication Date: 2021-03-17
• Subjects: carbon‐based materials -- electrochemical energy storage -- integrated devices -- photoelectric conversion -- solar energy; Carbon -- Periodicals; Carbon dioxide industry -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Research -- Periodicals; Energy industries -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Research; Energy industries; Carbon dioxide industry; Carbon; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 620.193
• DOI: 10.1002/cey2.105
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2637-9368

Abstract

Abstract: As a clean and renewable energy source, solar energy is a competitive alternative to replace conventional fossil fuels. Nevertheless, its serious fluctuating nature usually leads to a poor alignment with the actual energy demand. To solve this problem, the direct solar‐to‐electrochemical energy conversion and storage have been regarded as a feasible strategy. In this context, the development of high‐performance integrated devices based on solar energy conversion parts (i.e., solar cells or photoelectrodes) and electrochemical energy storage units (i.e., rechargeable batteries or supercapacitors [SCs]) has become increasingly necessary and urgent, in which carbon and carbon‐based functional materials play a fundamental role in determining their energy conversion/storage performances. Herein, we summarize the latest progress on these integrated devices for solar electricity energy conversion and storage, with special emphasis on the critical role of carbon‐based functional materials. First, principles of integrated devices are introduced, especially roles of carbon‐based materials in these hybrid energy devices. Then, two major types of important integrated devices, including photovoltaic and photoelectrochemical‐rechargeable batteries or SCs, are discussed in detail. Finally, key challenges and opportunities in the future development are also discussed. By this review, we hope to pave an avenue toward the development of stable and efficient devices for solar energy conversion and storage. Abstract : The photo‐rechargeable batteries and supercapacitors, which hybridize solar energy harvest, conversion, and storage, exhibit great potential for the practical application of solar energy. In these hybrid devices, the solar cell or the photoelectrode is responsible for harvesting incident light and then converting it into electricity, whereas the battery or the supercapacitor can electrochemically store electric energy and further release it during the discharging process. In particular, carbon materials play a key role in performance improvement of these integrated devices. Briefly, these state‐of‐the‐art integrated energy systems will help us to open up a door toward a new era of solar energy.