This e-book linking nanotechnology to renewable energy applications is composed of 436 pages divided into nine chapters. The beginning includes a preface and a glossary of acronyms. Most of the chapters have been written by the main authors, with chapter 7 co-authored by Yeng-Pin Chen. Chapter 6 is exclusively authored by Daqiang Yuan. The book concludes with a summary/post-log.
The first chapter discusses generalities of nanomaterials in terms of their properties and applications. A brief historical perspective of nanotechnology is also provided, followed by a discussion on dimensionality of nanomaterials. The second chapter deals with what I consider the most important aspect: their synthesis via top-down (ball-milling and lithography processes) and bottom-up (sol-gel synthesis) approaches. Since synthesis itself is unable to define the nanoscale character of the materials, the third chapter therefore describes nanocharacterization methods. This chapter also describes indispensable techniques such as transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy, x-ray diffraction, optical spectroscopy techniques, and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.
Chapters 4 and 5 deal with energy production. The fourth chapter briefly overviews important concepts in fuel cells, energy storage, and carbon capture and storage. It also imparts a lot of background knowledge on photovoltaic cells. Toward the end of the chapter, a special section is dedicated to nanocatalyst preparation and nanocharacterization. The fifth chapter on fuel cells examines proton-exchange-membrane fuel cells and the role of Pt-carbon nanotube cathodes in their performance.
Chapters 6 and 7 deal with energy storage and capture via porous materials such as metal–organic frameworks (MOFs). Chapter 6 delves into storage of gases such as CH4, CO2, and H2 in covalent organic frameworks. Chapter 7 provides the implications of fossil fuels used for producing electricity in transportation and industry. It further provides statistics of CO2 emission in various developed and developing countries. Methods of CO2 capture and the use of MOFs for the same are examined.
Chapter 8 covers the toxicity of nanomaterials. Nanomaterials, even though a growing field of research and development, have their shortcomings. Environmental implications such as exposure to nanomaterials, their toxicology, and toxicity evaluation are discussed. The reader is made aware of the implications of nanomaterials in everyday life. The ninth chapter is the post-log, bringing forward points that were not discussed in detail in previous chapters.
A positive aspect of this book is the large number of TEM images that have been used to demonstrate the shape, size, morphology, and crystallization of the nanomaterials. This book gives the reader a good overview of nanomaterials in energy-related applications. However, the e-book version of the index could be made more reader friendly by adding sub-subsections and making them available at the click of a button. It would also be helpful to the reader if page numbers were provided in the index.
Reviewer: Protima Rauwelof the Institute of Physics, University of Tartu, Estonia.
