Materials Electrochemistry Conference: Advancements and Breakthroughs September 23-24, 2019 Dubai, UAE

The revolutionary field of utilizing conventional energy resources requires efficient Energy conversion and storage system. In the light of which various high energy density materials have been developed. The energy storage and conversion system has turned over a new page in its development by adopting evolving design and manufacturing techniques of new materials. The design, synthesis, self-assembly and functionalization of carbon based nanomaterial like graphene, fullerene, CNT show promising energy storage capacities .These high energy density materials can easily replace the Pt catalyst which is economically costly and become unstable in the long run, this in turn reduces the fuel cell cost. The next generation materials with self- healing capability, Energy and power density, rate capability, and cycling life of batteries, fuel cells, and supercapacitors can be engineered by altering the structure, composition, morphology, and architecture of the electrode and electrolyte materials. However, quantifying and controlling the processing-structure-property relationships for these materials is extremely challenging.

Nanoelectrochemistry by applying its interdisciplinary in various field like electronics, biology, energy can conceive new devices that can serve as sensors, actuators, Nano electronics, exploring its optical, magnetic and electronic properties. In addition to this they are used in energy storage sytems as the nanocomposite are seen to be of high power density. The electrical behaviour of evenly colloidal nanoparticles in an homogenous solution depends on the surface charges, the presence of ions, surfactants at the Nano-interface studied broadly as Colloidal Chemistry. Nanotechnology offers various host systems for the delivery of drug molecule at the target sites which are electro-spun by the application of high electric potential. The fusion of nanotechnology and electrochemical technology has given birth to the Electrochemical Scanning Tunnelling Microscope.

The digital industry which is booming in terms of marketing figures has the urge of finding new alternative energy storage system with low product development cost in order to meet the growing demands for Energy Management. This can be achieved by introducing next generation materials synthesized based on modern techniques. Merging the Photo-chemical properties and electrochemistry, the high efficiency of photo voltaic cells and devices is captivating the attention of researchers from all over the world. In addition to that new Energy Storage System models are being designed Storage Technology like Grid Storage Technology and integrated Energy Generation and storage technology with advancements like Rechargeable lithium ion batteries, flow battery. A whooping $19.04 billion is the predicted market value of the Energy Storage System at a CAGR of 8.38% by 2022. Other Energy Storage Technology for the times of peak demand include Compressed Air Energy Storage, Fly Wheel Systems and Pumped Hydro Power Systems. Safety measures and regulations must be given out for the prevention of fire breakouts at the Energy Storage Sites.

The conductive property of Electro polymerized polymers upon oxidation is on the same scale as that of the metals. Adding more to its advantage is its flexibility and light-weight enlarging its application circle towards digital electronic systems like OLEDs, Opto-Electronic devices and Photo-chemical resists which can be used in Nanolithography. These polymers have found application as Supercapacitors, Light Emitting Diode, Solar cells, Field Effect Transistor, actuators and Bio-Sensors. The conducting polymers can be synthesized by Electrochemical method, Photochemical Method, Metathesis Method, Concentrated Emulsion Method, Inclusion Method, Solid State Method, Plasma Polymerization, Pyrolysis Method The performance value of the conducting polymers can be improved by incorporating nanomaterial like CNT in them. The incorporation of the type of nanoparticles varies according to the application of the polymer. Thus the polymers electrochemistry has marked its importance in microelectronics, Nano electronics, electro catalysis, fuel cell electrodes, and data storage and bio medical applications.

In order to tackle the challenges faced by the environment in terms of landfill dumping with e-waste, Electrochemistry can play a vital role in recycling the batteries for the Environmental Remediation, and has a wider scope in the water treatment industry where the Electro Dialysis, Electroperoxidation, Electrocoagulation method can be employed for the treatment of waste effluent water. Electrochemical Sensors for the detection of pollutants in water bodies are developed for the treatment of organic and inorganic complexes in it. The Electrochemical cells for the generation of H2O2 and the dissociation of organic molecules present by photolysis of the molecule.

Electrochemical principles applied to the Biological field have opened new avenues for modern energy generation systems where biological molecules and organism are being used as the source of energy generation in fuel cells. Electroporation techniques are applied for the transfer of gene and drug molecules. Enzymatic Electrochemistry has found its application as a sensor, bio-fuel cell, bio-modified electrodes and catalysis. The quantification of electrical characteristics of the nervous system has much to be explored which can be done by applying electrochemical principles This field can also help in the quantification and diagnosis of Biological Analytes like DNA and enzymes. The magnetic nanoparticle tagged along with the bio-markers can serve as electro-optical device.

This division of Electrochemistry employs theoretical and computational models to predict the electrochemical system behaviour and redesign the energy storage devices. The development of instrumental techniques necessitates the need for Computational tools for the data analysis. Too many options available for the choice of electrode, electrolyte and membrane separation materials makes it difficult to decide on the combination of the materials to be used while device fabrication. The density functional theory and molecular dynamics models are the simulation models used at nanoscale, while the finite element modelling can be used at a larger scale. First-principles computational methods can be used to study the energy landscape for intercalation and diffusion barriers of materials and thus provide new insights regarding ion transport phenomena, and explain electrochemical characteristics for the design of electrodes. The simulation models for the proton and electron transfer across the membrane in an electrochemical cell are Helmholtz model, Gouy-Chapman-Stern model, Helmholtz model, Tafel diagrams. The development of theoretical models and tools to account for the studies of coupling between charge transport and reactivity in porous films deposited on electrode surfaces.

According to a Global Industry Analysis the Corrosion Protective Coating Industry is expected to generate revenue of $19.5 billion by the end of 2022 only in the Asian countries. Electrochemistry serves as both the cause and solution for Corrosion. Ultrasonic testing, scanning electron microscope (SEM), Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS),and Scanning Kelvin Probe are the techniques used to  characterize the corrosion surface. Electrochemistry playing a key role in this industry needs to expand its horizons for enforcement of solutions via Electrochemical Interface Interaction for the Corrosion Protective Surface Coating. The electrochemical corrosion protective coating involves organic conductive polymers, multi-layer coatings, surfactants, CNT reinforcements, Sacrificial Coatings, Anodization, and Sacrificial Anode Protection by the engineering of materials.

Analytical Electrochemistry deals with the fundamentals of electrode reactions and electrochemical methods and the physical quantification of rate of the chemical reaction taking place in an electrochemical cell. A broad spectrum of advanced electrochemical analytical methods commands the requirement of knowledge of the underlying principles. Insights into these processes are developed before considering how the analytical techniques can be applied in the practical studies of electrochemical devices such as batteries, fuel cells, supercapacitors, and sensors.

The Electrochemical sensors are predicted to generate USD 8.35 billion by 2021 at a CAGR of 7.97% over the period 2016-2021.This average annual growth rate ensures a continuous growth and the resilient nature of the market. The Electrochemical Sensors has its application in a vast array of fields with Bio sensors, Corrosion Sensors, Solid-state Electrochemical Sensors, Thin Film sensors, Gas Sensors in house. They operate by taking the changes in the potential difference, ion conductivity at the sensor surface.

The past decade has seen a continuous development in terms of digital production. The field of electrochemistry witnessed the age of product development with modern electronics with features alike Electrochromism, Scanning Electrochemical Imaging, Potential Memory devices, Wearable Electro Chemical Sensors. As science develops the need for new characterization techniques also arises in the heed of which a number of instruments are developed like pulsed gradient spin echo (PGSE) NMR.