Traditional photocatalysts suffer from inferior utilization of solar light. Therefore, developing novel photocatalyst for better solar light harvesting is much required in the wake of current environmental problems arising from conventional energy technologies. Here we report synthesis and characterization of photocatalysts based on TiO 2 nanorods (TNR) and Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework -9 (ZIF-9) and their photoelectrochemical properties. The TNRs were sensitized by ZIF-9 through solvothermal method. The presence of ZIF-9 on TNR formed a p -n heterojunction which assisted in initiating efficient charge separation and promoting injection of these carriers into the electrolyte. The heterojunction catalysts also exhibited enhanced optical properties in terms of extended absorption with reduced bandgap in comparison to the TNR film. The aforementioned properties manifested in improved photoelectrochemical performance with a current density of 0.94 mA/cm 2 , which is four times better than TNR and an applied bias photon to current efficiency (ABPE) of 0.27 %, which is five times better than TNR film alone. These superior properties of the processed ZIF-TNR demonstrate their potential for photoelectrochemical catalysis, thus paving the way for green hydrogen generation.

Development of photocatalysts for hydrogen generation is highly imperative in the current scenario for resolving the worldwide energy crisis. Continuous efforts are being made to find low-cost and durable photocatalysts with better light absorption capacity to mitigate energy issues. Herein, a new p-n heterojunction photocatalyst has been synthesized successfully using a polyoxometalate (POM), phosphomolybdic acid (PMo12), and zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF-9). Photoelectrochemical studies under visible-light irradiation revealed that ZIF9-PMo12 exhibits a higher photocurrent density than pure ZIF-9. The support of ZIF-9 prevented the instability of PMo12 in aqueous solutions and improved the photoresponse ability of ZIF-9. The p-n junction formation impedes the recombination of electrons and holes, resulting in the improved photocatalytic property. Photoelectrochemical experiments confirmed the photocatalytic features, and thus this work paves the way for the development of an efficient, stable, and low-cost photocatalyst for green H2 generation.

The polymorphs (alpha - Bi2Mo3O12, beta - Bi2Mo2O9, gamma - Bi2MoO6) of bismuth molybdate (BMO) exhibit photo-catalytic activity. Among them, the beta phase exhibits good photo electrochemical (PEC) performance but suf-fers from stability issues. In this work, mixed-phase BMO compounds were synthesized using a facile co-precipitation route. The processed BMO showed a band gap of 2.46 eV. The sample with predominantly gamma-BMO (gamma - Bi2MoO6) with lower alpha and beta content exhibited better photo-electrochemical performance with a photocurrent density of 1.12 mu A/cm2 and lower charge transfer resistance compared to the BMO-1 sample with a larger amount of alpha and beta phases. Both the samples displayed n-type conductivity and excellent photoresponse under chopped illumination.

Rare earth metal oxides have been widely used as pseudocapacitor electrodes owing to their unique physical and electronic properties. The present paper reports the synthesis and pseudocapacitor applications of praseodymium oxides, owing to their unique physical properties. PrOx/unzipped carbonnanotubes were synthesized following a hydrothermal approach. Detailed morphological as well as electrochemical analyses were performed to elucidate how the unique properties of PrOx affect the charge storage ability. Special emphasis was given on the effect of anion intercalation due to the surface oxygen vacancies in PrOx which would contribute towards the pseudocapacitive energy storage. Oxygen intercalation was exploited for the first time in fluorite crystals for fast energy storage and a specific capacitance value as high as 1099 F/g was obtained with the electrodes. An asymmetric supercapacitor prototype was also fabricated with a V2O5/graphene counter electrode and the energy and power density values obtained are as high as 52.08 Wh/kg and 2.9 kW/kg, respectively.

Novel core/matrix morphologies of Silicon nanostructures/ LATP ceramics are synthesized through a sol - gel assisted method. The Li-1.3 Al-0.3 Ti-1.7(PO4)(3) powders were coated on Si nanoparticles as an artificial SEI layer selectively conducting Li cations, which also prevents the formation of the thick natural SEI layer formation, improving the cyclic stability. The composite anodes exhibited a specific capacity of discharge capacities of 1789 mA h g(-1) at 0.1 C in the ionic liquid electrolyte LiTFSI-Pyr(14)TFSI. They cycle 500 times with a capacity retention of more than 75%. It is assumed that the promising electrochemical characteristics of the composite anode films are due to the absence of direct contact between the Si nanoparticles and the electrolyte and the presence of LATP providing an efficient and quick pathway for lithium ion transport and acts as a Li ion reservoir. The electrodes also show promising results with suitable ionic liquid based electrolytes at high temperature. Hence the conclusions from the present study projects LATP-Si composite films as a promising anode material for LIBs, with high capacities and long cycling stabilities at room temperature as well as high temperature.

There is an ever-increasing demand for the improvements in rechargeable Lithium secondary batteries owing to their high energy density, flexibility, cyclic stability and wide range of applications. Even though the science is often criticized for its slow progression, countless variations on the basic lithium chemistry are been investigated to address the safety and performance issues. The major components raising safety concerns are the volatile organic electrolytes and the dendrite forming Li metal electrodes. The present review covers the application of ionic liquid electrolytes in combination with the alloy anodes wherein these relatively advance Li ion battery components mutually benefits to overcome the existing issues related to cell efficiency as well as safety concerns. The essential understanding of lithiation/delithiation process as well as the SEI layer formation of alloy anodes in combination with Room temperature IL electrolytes is considered as an approach towards safer Li batteries.