NANOTECHNOLOGY IN SUSTAINABLE ENERGY: ADVANCEMENTS IN NANOMATERIALS FOR HIGH-EFFICIENCY SOLAR CELLS AND NEXT-GENERATION BATTERIES

Nanotechnologies have therefore gained a lot of importance in improving the performance of RE technologies, especially the photovoltaics and energy storage systems. This paper examines the development of new and better nanoparticle generation for solar cell technology and next-generation batteries. Nanomaterials like quantum dots, perovskites, carbon nanotubes, and plasmonic nano materials have shown the enhancement of light absorption, charge separation and electron transport in the photovoltaic devices contributing to increase in efficiency of the solar cell. Likewise, the introduction of nanomaterials such as silicon nanowire and graphene to batteries including lithium-ion and solid-state batteries has improved the energy density, charge capacity, as well as the cycle life of batteries. However, it is crucial to point out that some issues associated with the scalability of the process, the cost of the fabrication, environ mentality of the nanomaterial and the long-term stability of nanomaterial-based devices have posed certain challenges. Nevertheless, constant investigations of new applications of nanomaterials and their incorporation into energy systems have great potential for future sustainable energy sources. This paper analyzes the recent advancements in the application of nanomaterials in the implementation of solar cells and batteries for renewable energy and the opportunities and restraints that can be expected in the progression of nanotechnology for renewable energy systems.