title: Nanostructured Conjugated Polymers for Energy-Related Applications beyond Solar Cells.
abstract: To meet the ever-increasing requirements for the next generation of sustainable and versatile energy-related devices, conjugated polymers, which have potential advantages over small molecules and inorganic materials, are among the most promising types of green candidates. The properties of conjugated polymers can be tuned through modification of the structure and incorporation of different functional moieties. In addition, superior performances can be achieved as a result of the advantages of nanostructures, such as their large surface areas and the shortened pathways for charge transfer. Therefore, nanostructured conjugated polymers with different properties can be obtained to be applied in different energy-related organic devices. This review focuses on the application and performance of the recently reported nanostructured conjugated polymers for high-performance devices, including rechargeable lithium batteries, microbial fuel cells (MFCs), thermoelectric generators, and photocatalytic systems. The design strategies, reaction mechanisms, advantages, and limitations of nanostructured conjugated polymers are further discussed in each section. Finally, possible routes to improve the performances of the current systems are also included in the conclusion.
authors.affiliation: School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University (Singapore), 639798, Singapore, Singapore.
authors.forename: Jian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.affiliation: School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University (Singapore), 639798, Singapore, Singapore.
authors.forename: Cui-E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University (Singapore), 639798, Singapore, Singapore.
authors.forename: Zong-Qiong
authors.initials: ZQ
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University (Singapore), 639798, Singapore, Singapore.
authors.forename: Pei-Yang
authors.initials: PY
authors.lastname: Gu
authors.affiliation: School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University (Singapore), 639798, Singapore, Singapore. qczhang@ntu.edu.sg.|Division of Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, School of Physical and Mathematics Science, Nanyang Technological University (Singapore), 637371, Singapore, Singapore. qczhang@ntu.edu.sg.
authors.forename: Qichun
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D001674:Bioelectric Energy Sources; D002384:Catalysis; D011211:Electric Power Supplies; D004566:Electrodes; D055772:Green Chemistry Technology; D008027:Light; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects
chemical_list: D011108:Polymers
keywords: conjugation; energy conversion; nanostructures; photocatalytic systems; polymers