Browsing by Author "Pulickel , Ajayan M"

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    Innovative Materials for Energy Applications and Environmental Impact
    (2024-07-31) Saju, Sreehari; Pulickel , Ajayan M
    Innovative materials for energy storage devices and energy efficiency are crucial for advancing sustainable technology. This thesis investigates innovative approaches using advanced polymer blends to enhance the performance and sustainability of thermochromic windows and electrochemical energy storage systems. The primary focus is on a mixed polymer system composed of poly(dimethyl siloxane), poly(ethylene oxide), and an alkali salt. The development of a three component thermochromic polymer blend capable of dynamically adjusting transparency in response to external temperatures significantly improves the energy efficiency of HVAC systems in buildings by controlling solar radiation influx. This material presents a promising solution for reducing energy consumption in architectural applications. The thermochromic properties are characterized by the blend's ability to switch between transparent and light-blocking states at specific temperature thresholds. The blend's stability, durability, and responsiveness are tested under various environmental conditions to ensure long-term performance and reliability. In addition to the thermochromic applications, the ionic conduction properties of lithium, sodium, and magnesium ions within the polymer matrix are explored. Enhanced room-temperature ionic conductivity is achieved, leading to the development of safer and more efficient solid-state electrolytes for ion batteries. The thesis also introduces a novel hydrothermal method for the low-temperature transformation of amorphous fused silica into crystalline α-quartz. Facilitated by sodalime glass and sodium ion migration, this process offers a sustainable and energy-efficient approach to material synthesis, significantly reducing the energy requirements compared to traditional high-temperature methods. The potential of advanced polymer blends, particularly in thermochromic smart windows, to contribute to energy-efficient buildings and electrochemical applications is significant. The findings have broad implications for industries such as electronics, optics, and materials engineering, underscoring the importance of innovative materials and methods in advancing sustainable technology.
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    Novel Pathways in Materials Engineering for Energy Storage, Conversion, and Structural Applications
    (2022-04-22) Salpekar, Devashish; Pulickel , Ajayan M; Vajtai, Robert; Biswal , Sibani Lisa; Boul, Peter J
    Advancements in Materials Science and Nanotechnology have led to breakthroughs in several disciplines, including energy storage devices, portable electronics, and sustainable electrocatalysis. Despite the huge success, several roadblocks limit the development of advanced materials for several practical applications. Therefore, modifications of these materials and a rigorous understanding of the entire system are essential to make them viable alternatives. The thesis is split into three major sections with each part discussing the chemistries of the synthesized materials, their properties, and their influence in respective applications. In the first part of this thesis, an electrolyte formulation was studied for higher temperatures Li-ion batteries. In addition, bifunctional material additives were introduced for alternate high energy density cathodes. The second part of the thesis discusses a technique to fluorinate layered hexagonal boron nitride. Fluorination of hBN leads to major structural and electronic changes, suggesting an effective thermal transport medium for future electronics. In the third section, defect-rich functional materials are derived using atomic layer deposition for electro. Finally, facile synthesis methods are suggested to develop smart and sustainable composites for specific applications. Overall, this thesis presents several processing techniques to derive advanced high-performance materials, their careful investigation, and their utilization in energy storage, electronics, & structural applications.