Development of New Nanostructured Electrodes for Electrochemical Conversion: Energy and Fuels from the Environment

Abstract

During the last decade, carbon-based nanofibers emerged as an important class of materials for the fabrication of electrodes for electrochemical energy conversion. Indeed carbon-based nanofibers combine high electrochemical stability and high porosity to high mechanical flexibility and low weight, resulting in a unique and versatile material for the design and fabrication of energy-related devices. This chapter aims to show and analyze new nanostructured materials, obtained by electrospinning technique, in order to design 3D arrangement of the electrodes and to improve the energy efficiency of energy production devices. Indeed, the design of new 3D nanostructured electrodes enhances the energy efficiency of these devices, optimizing the energy production, obtained by new renewable energy technologies. The chapter is focused on those devices able to generate power output through the electrochemical conversion of different fuels, like wastes, and environmental compounds, such as CO 2 .