Innovative Materials for Energy Applications and Environmental Impact

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dc.contributor.advisorPulickel , Ajayan Men_US
dc.creatorSaju, Sreeharien_US
dc.date.accessioned2024-08-30T18:11:27Zen_US
dc.date.created2024-08en_US
dc.date.issued2024-07-31en_US
dc.date.submittedAugust 2024en_US
dc.date.updated2024-08-30T18:11:27Zen_US
dc.descriptionEMBARGO NOTE: This item is embargoed until 2026-08-01en_US
dc.description.abstractInnovative 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.en_US
dc.embargo.lift2026-08-01en_US
dc.embargo.terms2026-08-01en_US
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdfen_US
dc.identifier.citationSaju, Sreehari. Innovative Materials for Energy Applications and Environmental Impact. (2024). PhD diss., Rice University. https://hdl.handle.net/1911/117809en_US
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/1911/117809en_US
dc.language.isoengen_US
dc.rightsCopyright is held by the author, unless otherwise indicated. Permission to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exemptions to copyright law must be obtained from the copyright holder.en_US
dc.subjectthermochromic polymer blendsen_US
dc.subjectsmart windowsen_US
dc.subjectenergy-efficient windowsen_US
dc.subjectsolid-state electrolytesen_US
dc.subjectpoly(dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS)en_US
dc.subjectpoly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)en_US
dc.subjectlithium-ionen_US
dc.subjectsodium-ionen_US
dc.subjecthydrothermalen_US
dc.subjectsustainable technologyen_US
dc.subjectelectrochemical energy storageen_US
dc.subjectmaterial scienceen_US
dc.titleInnovative Materials for Energy Applications and Environmental Impacten_US
dc.typeThesisen_US
dc.type.materialTexten_US
thesis.degree.departmentMaterials Science and NanoEngineeringen_US
thesis.degree.disciplineEngineeringen_US
thesis.degree.grantorRice Universityen_US
thesis.degree.levelDoctoralen_US
thesis.degree.nameDoctor of Philosophyen_US
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