Colloidal nanoparticles have been widely studied and proven to have unique and superior properties compared to their bulk form and are attractive building blocks for diverse technologies, including energy conversion and storage, sensing, electronics, etc. However, transforming colloidal nanoparticles into functional devices while translating their unique properties from the nanoscale to the macroscale remains a major challenge. The development of advanced manufacturing methodologies that can convert functional nanomaterials into high-performance devices in a scalable, controllable and affordable manner presents great research opportunities and challenges for the next several decades. One promising approach to fabricate functional devices from nanoscale building blocks is additive manufacturing, such as 2D and 3D printing, owing to their capability of fast prototyping and versatile fabrication. Here, we review recent progress and methodologies for printing functional devices using colloidal nanoparticle inks with an emphasis on 2D nanomaterial-based inks. This review provides a comprehensive overview on four important and interconnected topics, including nanoparticle synthesis, ink formulation, printing methods, and device applications. New research opportunities as well as future directions are also discussed.
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This content will become publicly available on August 1, 2024
Nanomaterials and Sustainability
This Energy Focus article summarizes the topics presented at the Nanomaterials and Sustainability Workshop held on May 4th, 2023 as part of the annual Advanced Photon Source/Center for Nanoscale Materials Users Meeting. Nanomaterials with novel properties and phenomena offer tremendous opportunities for sustainable technologies that address critical environmental and energy applications. The large variation that is possible for nanomaterials across composition, dimension, size and geometry aids in the range of properties and applications that can conceivably be addressed. However, in order to have maximum impact, earth abundance of materials must be considered and scalable manufacturing technologies must be developed. The opportunities discussed at the workshop are organized into topical areas of Nanostructured Materials for Sustainable Energy Solutions; Nano-bio Hybrid Materials for Energy and CO2 Reduction; and Sustainable Manufacturing at the Nanoscale.
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- Award ID(s):
- 2321203
- NSF-PAR ID:
- 10437201
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- ACS Energy Letters
- ISSN:
- 2380-8195
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 3443 to 3449
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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