This book brings together the fundamentals and applications of ultrathin oxide layers while highlighting connections and future opportunities.

Ultrathin metal oxide layers have emerged in recent years as a powerful approach for substantially enhancing the performance of photo, electro, or thermal catalytic systems for energy, in some cases even enabling the use of highly attractive materials previously found unsuitable. This development is due to the confluence of new synthetic preparation methods for ultrathin oxide layers and a more advanced understanding of interfacial phenomena on the nano and atomic scale. This book brings together the fundamentals and applications of ultrathin oxide layers while highlighting connections and future opportunities with the intent of accelerating the use of these materials and techniques for new and emerging applications of catalysis for energy. It comprehensively covers the state-of-the-art synthetic methods of ultrathin oxide layers, their structural and functional characterization, and the broad range of applications in the field of catalysis for energy. Edited by leaders in the field, and with contributions from global experts, this title will be of interest to graduate students and researchers across materials science and chemistry who are interested in ultrathin oxide layers and their applications in solar energy conversion, renewable energy, photocatalysis, electrocatalysis and protective coatings.

Greenhouse gas removal (GGR) technologies can remove greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Most of the current GGR technologies focus on carbon dioxide removal, these include afforestation and reforestation, bioenergy with carbon capture and storage, direct air capture, enhanced weathering, soil carbon sequestration and biochar, ocean fertilisation and coastal blue carbon. GGR technologies will be essential in limiting global warning to temperatures below 1.5°C (targets by the IPCC and COP21) and will be required to achieve deep reductions in atmospheric CO2 concentration. In the context of recent legally binding legislation requiring the transition to a net zero emissions economy by 2050, GGR technologies are broadly recognised as being indispensable. This book provides the most up-to-date information on GGR technologies that provide removal of atmosphere CO2, giving insight into their role and value in achieving climate change mitigation targets. Chapters discuss the issues associated with commercial development and deployment of GGRs, providing potential approaches to overcome these hurdles through a combination of political, economic and R&D strategies. With contributions from leaders in the field, this title is an indispensable resource for graduate students and researchers in academia and industry, working in chemical engineering, mechanical engineering and energy policy.

The ongoing energy transition will require a number of emerging technological concepts (e.g. Power-to-X and Hydrogen Economy, etc.) which will ultimately combine renewable energy, novel chemical production/conversion processes and innovative, integrated devices/systems to produce sustainable platform molecules, fuels and materials. In this book, readers are introduced to selected concepts, challenges, steps forward and necessities relating to the technologies required to deepen the integration between the energy and chemical sectors. Selected key technologies to support this integration will be discussed, with particular emphasis on the catalytic systems and devices required to enable the transition including electrochemical cells, CO2 hydrogenation and plasma-assisted processes. Several chapters will discuss evolving and emerging technologies and tools (e.g. LCA) that will be required to enable a green and successful energy transition. The book will be of interest to graduate students and researchers in renewable energy, catalysis, chemical engineering and chemistry, wishing to have an introduction to the topic and associated technologies.

The exploration of new-family desalination techniques has become increasingly important in recent decades. Capacitive deionization (CDI) has attracted multidisciplinary interest as a promising alternative to the conventional desalination techniques of reverse osmosis and electro-osmosis, due to several attractive features such as low energy consumption, environmental friendliness, and high water utilization efficiency. CDI desalts saline water through storing ions in electrical double layers of porous carbons or by redox reactions with faradic materials. This is the first book to specialise in CDI and aims to showcase the fundamentals and progressive achievements of the research. Chapters cover the timeline of CDI technologies, the expansion of new-family electrode materials, exploitation of new-concept CDI devices, and applications of CDI in other new areas. In addition, the book provides new insights into future directions for the development of CDI and other emerging nanotechnologies for addressing the energy-water nexus. Edited by a founder of the field, the book will be of interest to those researching water desalination and purification across chemistry, materials science and environmental science.

Coatings are used for a wide range of applications, from anti-fogging coatings for glass through to corrosion control in the aerospace and automotive industries. Nanocoatings and ultra-thin films provides an up-to-date review of the fundamentals, processes of deposition, characterisation and applications of nanocoatings.Part one covers technologies used in the creation and analysis of thin films, including chapters on current and advanced coating technologies in industry, nanostructured thin films from amphiphilic molecules, chemical and physical vapour deposition methods and methods for analysing nanocoatings and ultra-thin films. Part two focuses on the applications of nanocoatings and ultra-thin films, with chapters covering topics such as nanocoatings for architectural glass, packaging applications, conventional and smart nanocoatings for corrosion protection in aerospace engineering and ultra-thin membranes for sensor applications.With its distinguished editors and international team of contributors, Nanocoatings and ultra-thin films is an essential reference for professional engineers in the glazing, consctruction, electronics and transport industries, as well as all those with an academic research interest in the field. - Provides an up-to-date review of the fundamentals, processes of deposition, characterisation and applications of nanocoatings - Focuses on the applications of nanocoatings and ultra-thin films, covering topics such as nanocoatings for architectural glass, packaging applications and ultra-thin membranes for sensor applications - Includes chapters on current and advanced coating technologies in industry, nanostructured thin films from amphiphilic molecules, chemical and physical vapour deposition methods and methods for analysing nanocoatings and ultra-thin films