Advanced Nanomaterials-Driven Functional Materials for Next-Generation Energy and Sensing Applications

Abstract

Advanced nanomaterials have attracted significant attention for next-generation energy and sensing technologies due to their unique structural and functional properties. This study aims to develop and systematically evaluate nanomaterials-driven functional materials that integrate enhanced electrical, electrochemical, sensing, optical, and thermal performances within a unified platform. The materials were synthesised via controlled fabrication routes and characterised using structural and morphological analyses to establish clear structure–property relationships. Electrical measurements reveal a pronounced increase in conductivity with increasing nanomaterial loading, attributed to the formation of effective percolation networks. Electrochemical testing demonstrates excellent cycling stability, with energy storage devices retaining over 90% of their initial capacity after prolonged charge–discharge cycles. Gas-sensing evaluation shows high sensitivity across a wide concentration range, particularly at low gas levels, indicating strong surface interactions and efficient charge-transfer mechanisms. In addition, the materials exhibit a stable, linear photocurrent response across varying light intensities, confirming efficient photogenerated charge transport. Thermal analysis further indicates acceptable structural stability over a broad temperature range, supporting operational robustness. Overall, the results demonstrate that advanced nanomaterials-driven functional materials offer a versatile and reliable approach for integrated energy storage and sensing applications. This work provides valuable insights into multifunctional material design and highlights the potential of nanomaterials for scalable next-generation technologies.