The occurrence of available energy reservoirs is decreasing steeply, therefore we are looking for an alternative and sustainable renewable energy resources. Among them, hydrogen is considered as green fuel with a high density of energy. In nature, hydrogen is not found in a free state and it is most likely present in the compound form for example H2O. Water covers almost 75% of the earth planet. To produce hydrogen from water, it requires an efficient catalyst. For this purpose, noble materials such as Pt, Ir, and Ru are efficient materials for water splitting. These precious catalysts are rare in nature, very costly, and are restricted from largescale applications. Therefore, search for a new earth-abundant and nonprecious materials is a hot spot area in the research today. Among the materials, nanomaterials are excellent candidates because of their potential properties for extended applications, particularly in energy systems. The fabrication of nanostructured materials with high specific surface area, fast charge transport, rich catalytic sites, and huge ion transport is the key challenge for turning nonprecious materials into precious catalytic materials. In this thesis, we have investigated nonprecious nanostructured materials and they are found to be efficient for electrochemical water splitting. These nanostructured materials include MoS2-TiO2, MoS2, TiO2, MoSx@NiO, NiO, nickeliron layered double hydroxide (NiFeLDH)/Co3O4, NiFeLDH, Co3O4, Cu-doped MoS2, Co3O4- CuO, CuO, etc. The composition, morphology, crystalline structure, and phase purities are investigated by a wide range of analytical instruments such as XPS, SEM, HRTEM, and XRD. The production of hydrogen/oxygen from water is obtained either in the acidic or alkaline media. Based on the functional characterization we believe that these newly produced nanostructured materials can be capitalized for the development of water splitting, batteries, and other energy-related devices.

This book covers the recent development of metal oxides, hydroxides and their carbon composites for electrochemical oxidation of water in the production of hydrogen and oxygen as fuels. It includes a detailed discussion on synthesis methodologies for the metal oxides/hydroxides, structural/morphological characterizations, and the key parameters (Tafel plot, Turnover frequency, Faradic efficiency, overpotential, long cycle life etc.) needed to evaluate the electrocatalytic activity of the materials. Additionally, the mechanism behind the electro oxidation process is presented. Readers will find a comprehensive source on the close correlation between metal oxides, hydroxides, composites, and their properties and importance in the generation of hydrogen and oxygen from water. The depletion of fossil fuels from the earth’s crust, and related environmental issues such as climate change, demand that we search for alternative energy resources to achieve some form of sustainable future. In this regard, much scientific research has been devoted to technologies such as solar cells, wind turbines, fuel cells etc. Among them fuel cells attract much attention because of their versatility and efficiency. In fuel cells, different fuels such as hydrogen, CO2, alcohols, acids, methane, oxygen/air, etc. are used as the fuel, and catalysts are employed to produce a chemical reaction for generating electricity. Hence, it is very important to produce these fuels in an efficient, eco-friendly, and cost effective manner. The electrochemical splitting of water is an environmentally friendly process to produce hydrogen (the greener fuel used in fuel cells), but the efficiencies of these hydrogen evolution reactions (cathodic half reaction) are strongly dependent on the anodic half reaction (oxygen evolution reaction), i.e., the better the anodic half, the better will be the cathodic reaction. Further, this oxygen evolution reaction depends on the types of active electrocatalysts used. Though many more synthetic approaches have been explored and different electrocatalysts developed, oxide and hydroxide-based nanomaterials and composites (with graphene, carbon nanotubes etc.) show better performance. This may be due to the availability of more catalytic surface area and electro active centers to carry out the catalysis process.

Metal Oxides and Related Solids for Electrocatalytic Water Splitting reviews the fundamentals and strategies needed to design and fabricate metal oxide-based electrocatalysts. After an introduction to the key properties of transition metal oxides, materials engineering methods to optimize the performance of metal-oxide based electrocatalysts are discussed. Strategies reviewed include defect engineering, interface engineering and doping engineering. Other sections cover important categories of metal-oxide (and related solids) based catalysts, including layered hydroxides, metal chalcogenides, metal phosphides, metal nitrides, metal borides, and more. Each chapter introduces important properties and material design strategies, including composite and morphology design. There is also an emphasis on cost-effective materials design and fabrication for optimized performance for electrocatalytic water splitting applications. Lastly, the book touches on recently developed in-situ characterization methods applied to observe and control the material synthesis process. - Introduces metal oxide-based materials for electrocatalytic water splitting applications, including their key properties, synthesis, design and fabrication strategies - Reviews the most relevant materials design strategies, including defect engineering, interface engineering, and doping engineering - Discusses the pros and cons of metal oxide-based materials for water splitting applications to aid in materials selection

Aiming at the generation of hydrogen from water, electrochemical water splitting represents a promising clean technology for generating a renewable energy resource. The book reviews the fundamental aspects and describes recent research advances. Properties and characterization methods for various types of electrocatalysts are discussed, including noble metals, earth-abundant metals, metal-organic frameworks, carbon nanomaterials and polymers. Keywords: Electrochemical Water Splitting, Renewable Energy Resource, Electrocatalysts, Oxygen Evolution Reaction (OER), Noble Metal Catalysts, Earth-Abundant Metal Catalysts, MOF Catalysts, Carbon-based Nanocatalysts, Polymer Catalysts, Transition Metal-based Electrocatalysts, Fe-based Electrocatalysts, Co-based Electrocatalysts, Ni-based Electrocatalysts, Metal Free Catalysts, Transition-Metal Chalcogenides, Prussian Blue Analogues.

The goal of this thesis is the development of scalable, low cost synthesis of metal oxide nanostructures based electrodes and to correlate the chemical modifications with their energy conversion performance. Methods in energy conversion in this thesis have focused on two aspects; a potentiometric chemical sensor was used to determine the analytical concentration of some components of the analyte solution such as dopamine, glucose and glutamate molecules. The second aspect is to fabricate a photo-electrochemical (PEC) cell. The biocompatibility, excellent electro-catalytic activities and fast electron transfer kinetics accompanied with a high surface area to volume ratio; are properties of some metal oxide nanostructures that of a potential for their use in energy conversion. Furthermore, metal oxide nanostructures based electrode can effectively be improved by the physical or a chemical modification of electrode surface. Among these metal oxide nanostructures are cobalt oxide (Co3O4), zinc oxide (ZnO), and bismuth-zincvanadate (BiZn2VO6) have all been studied in this thesis. Metal oxide nanostructures based electrodes are fabricated on gold-coated glass substrate by low temperature (< 100 0C) wet chemicalapproach. X-ray diffraction, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy were used to characterize the electrodes while ultraviolet-visible absorption and photoluminescence were used to investigate the optical properties of the nanostructures. The resultant modified electrodes were tested for their performance as chemical sensors and for their efficiency in PEC activities. Efficient chemically modified electrodes were demonstrated through doping with organic additives like anionic, nonionic or cationic surfactants. The organic additives are showing a crucial role in the growth process of metal oxide nanocrystals and hence can beused to control the morphology. These organic additives act also as impurities that would significantly change the conductivity of the electrodes. However, no organic compounds dependence was observed to modify the crystallographic structure. The findings in this thesis indicate the importance of the use of controlled nanostructures morphology for developing efficient functional materials.

Advances in Metal Oxides and their Composites for Emerging Applications reviews key properties of metal-oxide based composites, including their structural, physicochemical, optical, electrical components and resulting performance in a wide range of diverse applications. Synthetic protocols used to create metal oxides with desirable morphologies, properties and performance for applications in solar energy harvesting, energy storage and environmental remediation are emphasized. Emerging technologies that address important global challenges such as energy shortage, the hazardous effects of non-renewable energy sources, unaffordable energy technologies, and the contaminants present in air and water are also covered. This book is an ideal resource for materials scientists and engineers working in academia and R&D. In addition, it's appropriate for those who either need an introduction to potential research directions or for experienced researchers and practitioners looking for a key reference on the latest advances. - Introduces the fundamental properties of metal oxide-based composites, paying special attention to physicochemical, optical, electrical and structural characteristics - Provides an overview of the synthetic protocols used to design and tune the properties of metal oxide-based composites for key emerging applications - Discusses metal oxide-based composites and their use in energy applications such as energy storage, energy harvesting and environmental remediation

Metal oxide nanoparticles exhibit potential applications in energy and environmental fields, such as solar cells, fuel cells, hydrogen energy, and energy storage devices. This book covers all points from synthesis, properties, and applications of transition metal oxide nanoparticle materials in energy storage and conversion devices. Aimed at graduate-level students and researchers associated with the energy and environment sector, this book addresses the application of nontoxic and environmentally friendly metal oxide materials for a clean environment and deals with synthesis properties and application metal oxides materials for energy conversion, energy storage, and hydrogen generation.

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting is a highly promising process for converting solar energy into hydrogen energy. The book presents new cutting-edge research findings in this field. Subjects covered include fabrication and characteristics of various electrode materials, cell design and strategies for enhancing the properties of PEC electrode materials. Keywords: Renewable Energy Sources, Solar Energy Conversion, Hydrogen Production, Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting, Electrode Materials for Water Splitting, Transition Metal Chalcogenide Electrodes, Narrow Bandgap Semiconductor Electrodes, Ti-based Electrode Materials, BiVO4 Photoanodes, Noble Electrode Materials, Cell Design for Water Splitting.

Oxide Free Nanomaterials for Energy Storage and Conversion Applications covers in depth topics on non-oxide nanomaterials involving transition metal nitrides, carbides, selenides, phosphides, oxynitrides based electrodes, & other non-oxide groups. The current application of nanostructured nonoxides involves their major usage in energy storage and conversion devices variety of applications such as supercapacitor, batteries, dye-sensitized solar cells and hydrogen production applications. The current application of energy storage devices involves their usage of nanostructured non-oxide materials with improved energy and power densities. In this book readers will discover the major advancements in this field during the past decades. The various techniques used to prepare environmentally friendly nanostructured non-oxide materials, their structural and morphological characterization, their improved mechanical and material properties, and finally, current applications and future impacts of these materials are discussed. While planning and fabricating non-oxide materials, the readers must be concern over that they ought to be abundant, cost-efficient and environment-friendly for clean innovation and conceivably be of use in an expansive choice of utilization. The book gives detailed literature on the development of nanostructured non-oxides, their use as energy related devices and their present trend in the industry and market. This book also emphasis on the latest advancement about application of these noble non-oxide based materials for photocatalytic water-splitting. Recent progress on various kinds of both photocatalytic and electrocatalytic nanomaterials is reviewed, and essential aspects which govern catalytic behaviours and the corresponding stability are discussed. The book will give an updated literature on the synthesis, potential applications and future of nanostructured non-oxides in energy related applications. This book is highly useful to researchers working in the field with diversified backgrounds are expected to making the chapter truly interdisciplinary in nature. The contents in the book will emphasize the recent advances in interdisciplinary research on processing, morphology, structure and properties of nanostructured non-materials and their applications in energy applications such as supercapacitors, batteries, solar cells, electrochemical water splitting and other energy applications. Thus, nanotechnology researchers, scientists and experts need to have update of the growing trends and applications in the field of science and technology. Further, the postgraduate students, scientists, researchers and technologists are need to buy this book. - Offers a comprehensive coverage of the nanostructured non-oxide materials and their potential energy applications - Examines the properties of nanostructured non-oxide materials that make them so adaptable - Explores the mechanisms by which nanoparticles interact with each other, showing how these can be used for industrial applications - Shows the how nanostructured non-oxide materials are used in a wide range of industry sectors, containing energy production and storage