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In the last few decades, the energy demand has been increased dramatically. Different forms of energy have utilized to fulfill the energy requirements. Solar energy has been proven an effective and highly efficient energy source which has the potential to fulfill the energy requirements in the future. Previously, various kind of solar cells have been developed. In 2013, organic–inorganic metal halide perovskite materials have emerged as a rising star in the field of photovoltaics. The methyl ammonium lead halide perovskite structures were employed as visible light sensitizer for the development of highly efficient perovskite solar cells (PSCs). In 2018, the highest power conversion efficiency of 23.7% was achieved for methyl ammonium lead halide based PSCs. This obtained highest power conversion efficiency makes them superior over other solar cells. The PSCs can be employed for practical uses, if their long term stability improved by utilizing some novel strategies. In this chapter, we have discussed the optoelectronic properties of the perovskite materials, construction of PSCs and recent advances in the electron transport layers for the fabrication of PSCs.

A novel Poly-1-napthylamine-titanium(IV)sulphosalicylophosphate (PNA-TSP) cation exchange nanocomposite was synthesized by in-situ chemical oxidative polymerization of 1-naphthylamine in the presence of titanium(IV)sulphosalicylophosphate (TSP) nanoparticles. PNA-TSP doped with silver nanoparticles was synthesized by chemical reduction method. Synthesis of PNA-TSP and Ag/PNA-TSP was confirmed by FTIR, FE-SEM, XRD, TGA and EDX characterization techniques. Nanocomposite showed good ion-exchange capacity (IEC) (2.20 meq g−1) and enhanced DC electrical conductivity from 0.163 S/cm (PNA-TSP) to 0.7112 S/cm (Ag/PNA-TSP). Ag/PNA-TSP nanocomposite based sensor was fabricated for the detection of tetrahydrofuran vapours over the concentration range from 0.1 M (vapour concentration 2.90%) to 0.7 M (vapour concentration 4.24%) tetrahydrofuran solution.

A novel electrically conductive Polyaniline-titanium(IV)sulphosalicylophosphate (Pani-TSP) cation exchange nanocomposite has been synthesized by in-situ chemical oxidative polymerization of aniline in the presence of Titanium(IV)sulphosalicylophosphate (TSP) nanoparticles. Pani-TSP was characterized by various instrumentation techniques like FTIR, FE-SEM, XRD, TGA, DTA, DTG and EDX. Characterization results confirms that synthesis of Pani-TSP was successfully achieved. Pani-TSP shows good ion-exchange capacity (IEC) (2.15 meqg−1) as well as electrical conductivity (1.531 S/cm) and isothermal stability in terms of DC electrical conductivity retention under ambient condition up to 110 °C. Pani-TSP cation exchange nanocomposite based sensor was fabricated for the detection of methylamine and ethylamine vapours at room temperature. Sensing performance of nanocomposite was checked over the concentration range from 0.1 M (vapour concentration 3.20%) to 0.7 M (vapour concentration 4.65%) aqueous amine. The rate of reaction of amines vapour sensing on Pani-TSP was determined as first order for methylamine and ethylamine vapours which suggest that rate of change in resistivity response is mainly due to amine vapours.

Polypyrrole-Zr(IV) phosphate (PPyZP) composite cation exchange material was synthesized by chemical oxidative polymerization of pyrrole with the help of FeCl3 as oxidant in the presence of Zr(IV) phosphate particles. On the basis of distribution studies, it was found to be highly selective for Pb2+. Using PPyZP composite exchanger, a cation exchange membrane was prepared by solution-casting method. PPyZP composite and its membrane were characterized by the following instrumentation techniques: XRD, FTIR, SEM, EDX, and TGA. A Pb2+-selective membrane electrode with linear sensitive range from 3.2 × 10−6 M to 1.0 × 10−1 M, working pH range from 4 to 7, and response time of 40 s was fabricated. The kinetic studies on electrode were done at 40, 60, and 80 °C to calculate D 0, ΔE a, ΔS°, ΔH°, and ΔG°. The selectivity coefficient of electrode with other interfering ions was also calculated. The analytical utility of PPyZP electrode was established by employing it as an indicator electrode in potentiometric titration of Pb2+.

The internal combustion engines used in cars have maximum 25%-30% efficiency and rest of the heat energy burned in combustion chamber goes into the exhaust and then to the atmosphere. This led to the increase in harmful gases emission and increase in global warming and environmental problems. This has led to put efforts on improving the efficiency of any industrial process being a priority. In order to use the waste heat of car's exhaust thermoelectric generators are first priority. It is a solid state device which converts the heat energy available in car's exhaust into electrical energy which is then used to increase the performance of a car. The efficiency of a TEG is 4-5% which is quite low but it is not a big issue because this technology uses free heat; heat energy of no cost as an input and due to the benefits of TEG's it has become a promising alternative green technology. The installation position and thermoelectric materials plays a vital role in improving the efficiency.

In the present study an organic-inorganic nanocomposite ion exchanger Polyindole-Ce(IV) vanadophosphate (PIn-CVP) was synthesized via sol-gel process showing excellent ion exchange capacity (IEC?1.90 meqg-1). The material was characterized by SEM, TEM, XRD, FTIR, and TGA. A heterogeneous ion exchange membrane of PIn-CVP (IEC?0.90 meqg-1) was also prepared by solution casting method. PIn-CVP shows high electrical conductivity (5.5 × 10-2 S cm-1) and it is stable up to 120 °C under ambient conditions. Cd2+ selective membrane electrode was fabricated and its linear working range (3.98 × 10-7 M to 1.0 × 10-1 M), response time (25 s), Nerstian slope 25.00 mV dec-1 and working pH range (4-7) were calculated. It was employed as an indicator electrode in the potentiometric titration of Cd2+.