A review on poly(amidoamine) dendrimer encapsulated nanoparticles synthesis and usage in energy conversion and storage applications

The direction of this review is concentrating on the development of poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimer encapsulated metal nanoparticles (NPs), so-called Dend-NPs as catalysts in the field of electro-chemical energy conversion and storage. To date, Dend-NPs have been pointed out as well-organized and effective catalysts in the most popular electrochemical technologies, such as fuel cells, batteries, supercapacitors and water electrolyzers. Different strategies and technological progresses targeting efficient power and energy productions with excellent durability and performance retentions in such systems are emphasized. Dend-NPs action in electrochemical energy systems thrived by cathodic catalytic reactions, particularly, hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in electrolyzers and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in fuel cells, and electrochemical (Faradaic and non-Faradaic) processes in batteries and supercapacitors are summarized. The metal NPs produced within the dendrimer by various approaches, conditions for obtaining zero-valent metals and synthesis methods for different types of metal NPs are discussed. Advancing knowledge of Dend-NPs synthesis, difficulties and their solutions and the best practice recommended for readers are explained in brief. Besides, stability, role of dendrimer, generation effects, terminal group effects and mechanisms to encapsulate each transition and precious metal NPs such as copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), silver (Ag), gold (Au) and bimetallic within the cavity of PAMAM dendrimers are highlighted. Moreover, PAMAM dendrimer and its generation are classified bearing in mind their viable use in energy technologies and applications where possible. (C) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This review focuses on the development of poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimer encapsulated metal nanoparticles (NPs), known as Dend-NPs, as catalysts in electro-chemical energy conversion and storage. Different strategies to improve energy production efficiency and performance retention in electrochemical systems are emphasized, with a summary of the catalytic actions of Dend-NPs in various electrochemical reactions. Discussions include the synthesis of metal NPs within dendrimers, difficulties, solutions, and the classification of PAMAM dendrimers for potential use in energy technologies.