Nanomaterials have transformed energy storage and sensing, providing innovative answers to fundamental scientific and technical difficulties due to their distinctive physical and chemical features. This review offers a comprehensive and current synthesis of advancements in the design, synthesis, and integration of nanomaterials for energy storage systems and other sensing platforms. The discourse encompasses essential categories and attributes of nanomaterials. It underscores their contribution to improving electrochemical performance in batteries and supercapacitors. It also examines their facilitating role in chemical, biosensing, and physical sensor technologies. An analysis of significant accomplishments in hybrid materials, multifunctional device architectures, and data-driven smart sensor systems is presented. Ongoing difficulties in scalability, enduring stability, and practical application are examined. Recent breakthroughs, including two-dimensional materials, nano-hybrids, and AI-integrated sensor networks, are emphasized, providing essential insights for future study and practical application. The analysis closes by pinpointing significant knowledge deficiencies and delineating prospective avenues for interdisciplinary advancement in nanomaterial-based energy and sensor technologies [1] - [3] .
Darwish, M.A., Abd-Elaziem, W., Elsheikh, A. and Zayed, A.A. (2024) Advancements in Nanomaterials for Nanosensors: A Comprehensive Review. Nanoscale Advances , 6, 4015-4046. https://doi.org/10.1039/d4na00214h
Prashanth, G.K., Rao, S., Lalithamba, H.S., Bhagya, N.P., Swamy, M.M., Yashodha, S.R., et al . (2025) Smart Nanomaterials for Semiconductor Applications: Recent Advances in Energy Storage and Biosensing Technologies. Next Materials , 9, Article ID: 100964. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nxmate.2025.100964
Elezz, M.A., Aboeleneen, N.M., Abd-ElMonem, N.M. and Sorour, F.H. (2025) A Comprehensive Review: Functional Nanomaterials for Renewable Energy: Innovations, Applications, and Sustainable Strategies. Next Materials , 9, Article ID: 101001. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nxmate.2025.101001
Pomerantseva, E., Bonaccorso, F., Feng, X., Cui, Y. and Gogotsi, Y. (2019) Energy Storage: The Future Enabled by Nanomaterials. Science , 366, eaan8285. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aan8285
Zhang, Q., Uchaker, E., Candelaria, S.L. and Cao, G. (2013) Nanomaterials for Energy Conversion and Storage. Chemical Society Reviews , 42, 3127-3171. https://doi.org/10.1039/c3cs00009e
Manj, R.Z.A., Chen, X., Rehman, W.U., Zhu, G., Luo, W. and Yang, J. (2018) Big Potential from Silicon-Based Porous Nanomaterials: In Field of Energy Storage and Sensors. Frontiers in Chemistry , 6, Article No. 539. https://doi.org/10.3389/fchem.2018.00539
Ouda, E., Yousf, N., Magar, H.S., Hassan, R.Y.A. and Duraia, E.M. (2023) Electrochemical Properties of MnO 2 -Based Carbon Nanomaterials for Energy Storage and Electrochemical Sensing. Journal of Materials Science : Materials in Electronics , 34, Article No. 731. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10854-023-10107-4
Liu, Y., Zhou, G., Liu, K. and Cui, Y. (2017) Design of Complex Nanomaterials for Energy Storage: Past Success and Future Opportunity. Accounts of Chemical Research , 50, 2895-2905. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.accounts.7b00450
Amir, M., Deshmukh, R.G., Khalid, H.M., Said, Z., Raza, A., Muyeen, S.M., et al . (2023) Energy Storage Technologies: An Integrated Survey of Developments, Global Economical/Environmental Effects, Optimal Scheduling Model, and Sustainable Adaption Policies. Journal of Energy Storage , 72, Article ID: 108694. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.est.2023.108694
Marmisollé, W.A. and Azzaroni, O. (2016) Recent Developments in the Layer-by-Layer Assembly of Polyaniline and Carbon Nanomaterials for Energy Storage and Sensing Applications. from Synthetic Aspects to Structural and Functional Characterization. Nanoscale , 8, 9890-9918. https://doi.org/10.1039/c5nr08326e
Jia, J. and Lan, Y. (2023) Synthesis, Characterization, and Applications of Nanomaterials for Energy Conversion and Storage. Molecules , 28, Article No. 7383. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28217383
Das, H., Pathak, B., Khanam, S., Kalita, P.K. and Datta, P. (2022) Nanomaterials for Next Generation Energy Storage Applications. MRS Communications , 12, 285-294. https://doi.org/10.1557/s43579-022-00193-6
Sun, Z. and Wang, R. (2025) Emerging Nanomaterials for Energy Storage: A Critical Review of Metrics, Hotspots, and Future Directions. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews , 224, Article ID: 116093. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2025.116093
Mohammed, H., Mia, M.F., Wiggins, J. and Desai, S. (2025) Nanomaterials for Energy Storage Systems—A Review. Molecules , 30, Article No. 883. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30040883
Admase, A.T., Asrade, E.D. and Fanta, S.W. (2025) A Comprehensive Review on Energy Storage Materials & Technologies: Applications of Nanofabrication Techniques for Enhanced Performance and Efficiency. Materials for Renewable and Sustainable Energy , 14, 1-20. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40243-025-00329-3
Siddique, M.R., Nisar, A., Wafad, A.A., Anjum, S., Zahid, U., Akbar, W.A., et al . (2025) Advances in Nanomaterials for Next-Generation Lithium-Ion and Solid-State Batteries, a Physics-Driven Review. Scholars Journal of Engineering and Technology , 13, 664-672. https://doi.org/10.36347/sjet.2025.v13i08.006
Ukhurebor, K.E. and Aigbe, U.O. (2025) Applications of Contemporary Nanomaterials for Advanced Energy Storage and Conversion. CRC Press. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003511526
Zhao, Y. and Kalantar-Zadeh, K. (2025) Review of Nanomaterial-Enabled Flexible Energy Storage. ACS Applied Nano Materials , 8, 17378-17396. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsanm.5c03520
Salaheldeen, M., Abu-Dief, M.A. and El-Dabea, T. (2025) Functionalization of Nanomaterials for Energy Storage and Hydrogen Production Applications. Materials , 18, Article No. 768. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18040768
Boopathy, G., Srinivasan, V., Ganesan, B. and Palani, S. (2025) Exploring Nanomaterials for Enhanced Energy Storage and Conversion. In: Innovations in Next-Generation Energy Storage Solutions , IGI Global, 193-250. https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3693-9316-1.ch008
Hasan, N., Muthu, M., Hakami, O. and Gopal, J. (2025) Assessing the Sustainability of Energy-Related Nanomaterial Synthesis: Emphasizing the Need for Energy-Efficient Nanomaterial Preparation Techniques. Energies , 18, Article No. 523. https://doi.org/10.3390/en18030523
Farooq, N., Rehman, Z.U., Khan, M.I., Asghar, S., Saleem, M., Irshad, R., et al . (2024) Nanomaterial-Based Energy Conversion and Energy Storage Devices: A Comprehensive Review. New Journal of Chemistry , 48, 8933-8962. https://doi.org/10.1039/d3nj04846b
Mallick, P., Moharana, S., Biswal, L. and Satpathy, S.K. (2023) Transition Metal Oxide-Based Nanomaterials for Advanced Energy Storage. In: Moharana, S., et al ., Eds., Emerging Nanodielectric Materials for Energy Storage : From Bench to Field , Springer International Publishing, 331-355. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-40938-7_12
Folorunso, O., et al . (2025) Sustainable Metal Oxides and Their Composites for Lithium-Ion Batteries and Multifunctional Applications. Journal of Materials Science , 60, 12347-12384.
Raut, B., Ahmed, M.S., Kim, H., Rahman Khan, M.M., Bari, G.A.K.M.R., Islam, M., et al . (2025) Battery-Type Transition Metal Oxides in Hybrid Supercapacitors: Synthesis and Applications. Batteries , 11, Article No. 60. https://doi.org/10.3390/batteries11020060
Ahmer, M.F., Ullah, Q. and Uddin, M.K. (2024) Magnetic Metal Oxide Assisted Conducting Polymer Nanocomposites as Eco-Friendly Electrode Materials for Supercapacitor Applications: A Review. Journal of Polymer Engineering , 45, 1-41. https://doi.org/10.1515/polyeng-2024-0101
Divya, T., Sarankumar, R., Balamurugan, K.S., Sakthivel, P. and Sivakami, A. (2025) Recent Advances in Transition Metal Oxide Composites for Enhanced Supercapacitor Performance: A Comprehensive Overview. Journal of Nanoparticle Research , 27, Article No. 55. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-025-06246-w
Yadav, P., Tyagi, C. and Saidi, N.M. (2025) A Brief Review: Transition Metal Oxides with Carbon Composite Materials for High-Performance Supercapacitor, Applications, Fabrication Methods, and Future Perspective. Ionics , 31, 6695-6718. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11581-025-06393-z
Zhan, J., Wu, K., Yu, X., Yang, M., Cao, X., Lei, B., et al . (2019) α -Fe 2 O 3 Nanoparticles Decorated C@MoS 2 Nanosheet Arrays with Expanded Spacing of (002) Plane for Ultrafast and High Li/Na-Ion Storage. Small , 15, Article ID: 1901083. https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.201901083
Lv, C., Lin, C., Dong, H., Wei, H., Yang, J. and Geng, H. (2022) Electronic Modulation and Structure Engineered MoSe 2 with Multichannel Paths as an Advanced Anode for Sodium-Ion Half/Full Batteries. Science China Materials , 65, 2997-3006. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40843-022-2092-0
Cao, J., et al . (2024) First Principles Calculation of Sodium Intercalation in Transition-Metal Dichalcogenides. Electrochemical Society Meeting Abstracts PRIME 2024. Honolulu, 6-11 October 2024, 1366.
Jin, J., Xiao, T., Zhang, Y., Zheng, H., Wang, H., Wang, R., et al . (2021) Hierarchical MXene/Transition Metal Chalcogenide Heterostructures for Electrochemical Energy Storage and Conversion. Nanoscale , 13, 19740-19770. https://doi.org/10.1039/d1nr05799e
Nan, J., Guo, X., Xiao, J., Li, X., Chen, W., Wu, W., et al . (2019) Nanoengineering of 2D MXene-Based Materials for Energy Storage Applications. Small , 17, Article ID: 1902085. https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.201902085
Zhao, X., Xu, H., Hui, Z., Sun, Y., Yu, C., Xue, J., et al . (2019) Electrostatically Assembling 2D Nanosheets of MXene and MOF-Derivatives into 3D Hollow Frameworks for Enhanced Lithium Storage. Small , 15, Article ID: 1904255. https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.201904255
Bi, W., Li, S., Wang, W., Liu, Y., Shen, J., Gao, G., et al . (2024) Mxenes and Their Composites as Electrodes for Sodium Ion Batteries. Energy Storage Materials , 71, Article ID: 103568. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ensm.2024.103568
Hemanth, N.R., Kim, T., Kim, B., Jadhav, A.H., Lee, K. and Chaudhari, N.K. (2021) Transition Metal Dichalcogenide-Decorated MXenes: Promising Hybrid Electrodes for Energy Storage and Conversion Applications. Materials Chemistry Frontiers , 5, 3298-3321. https://doi.org/10.1039/d1qm00035g
Wu, Y., Nie, P., Jiang, J., Ding, B., Dou, H. and Zhang, X. (2017) MoS 2 -Nanosheet-decorated 2D Titanium Carbide (MXene) as High-Performance Anodes for Sodium-ion Batteries. ChemElectroChem , 4, 1560-1565. https://doi.org/10.1002/celc.201700060
Shahzad, A., Kadhem, A.A., Gohel, K.K., Alshehri, R.F., Mistry, V., Yaseen, Y., et al . (2025) Interfacial Design of Advanced 2D Nanomaterials for Sustainable Electrochemical Energy Storage. Metallurgical and Materials Engineering , 31, 376-387. https://doi.org/10.63278/1260
Kong, L., Zhu, J., Shuang, W. and Bu, X. (2018) Nitrogen-Doped Wrinkled Carbon Foils Derived from MOF Nanosheets for Superior Sodium Storage. Advanced Energy Materials , 8, Article ID: 1801515. https://doi.org/10.1002/aenm.201801515
Zhao, K., Liu, S., Ye, G., Gan, Q., Zhou, Z. and He, Z. (2018) High-Yield Bottom-Up Synthesis of 2D Metal-Organic Frameworks and Their Derived Ultrathin Carbon Nanosheets for Energy Storage. Journal of Materials Chemistry A , 6, 2166-2175. https://doi.org/10.1039/c7ta06916b
Sui, Z., Zhang, P., Xu, M., Liu, Y., Wei, Z. and Han, B. (2017) Metal-Organic Framework-Derived Metal Oxide Embedded in Nitrogen-Doped Graphene Network for High-Performance Lithium-Ion Batteries. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces , 9, 43171-43178. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.7b15315
Zheng, S.Q., Lim, S.S., Foo, C.Y., Haw, C.Y., Chiu, W.S., Chia, C.H., et al . (2023) A Novel MOF-Derived Binary Metal Oxides and Carbon Nanocomposite for High-Performance Symmetric Supercapacitor Application. Journal of Materials Science : Materials in Electronics , 34, Article No. 1578. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10854-023-10976-9
Mousavi, S.R. and Hosseini, H. (2023) Metal-Organic Frameworks/MXenes Hybrid Nanomaterials for Energy Storage Applications. Journal of Materials Science : Materials in Electronics , 34, Article No. 818. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10854-023-10234-y
Saraf, M. and Mobin, S.M. (2018) Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) Composited with Nanomaterials for Next-Generation Supercapacitive Energy Storage Devices. In: Martínez, L.M.T., et al ., Eds., Handbook of Ecomaterials , Springer International Publishing, 1-21. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-48281-1_129-1
Agudosi, E.S., Abdullah, E.C., Mubarak, N.M. and Khalid, M. (2020) Carbon-Based Nanomaterials for Energy Storage and Sensing Applications. In: Zarzycki, P.K., Ed., Pure and Functionalized Carbon Based Nanomaterials , CRC Press, 147-174. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781351032308-7
Ibrahim, O.O., Liu, C., Zhou, S., Jin, B., He, Z., Zhao, W., et al . (2025) Recent Advances in Nanomaterial-Based Self-Healing Electrodes Towards Sensing and Energy Storage Applications. Sensors , 25, Article No. 2248. https://doi.org/10.3390/s25072248
Oliveira, D.A., Gasparotto, L.H.S. and Siqueira Jr., J.R. (2019) Processing of Nanomaterials in Layer-by-Layer Films: Potential Applications in (Bio)sensing and Energy Storage. Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências , 91, e20181343. https://doi.org/10.1590/0001-3765201920181343
Pandey, R.R. and Chusuei, C.C. (2021) Carbon Nanotubes, Graphene, and Carbon Dots as Electrochemical Biosensing Composites. Molecules , 26, Article No. 6674. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26216674
Teradal, N.L. and Jelinek, R. (2017) Carbon Nanomaterials in Biological Studies and Biomedicine. Advanced Healthcare Materials , 6, Article ID: 1700574. https://doi.org/10.1002/adhm.201700574
Li, M., Chen, T., Gooding, J.J. and Liu, J. (2019) Review of Carbon and Graphene Quantum Dots for Sensing. ACS Sensors , 4, 1732-1748. https://doi.org/10.1021/acssensors.9b00514
Hejazi, M., Coşkun, İ.Y., Ünlü, F.Y., Aydogan, A., Ünlü, C. and Trabzon, L. (2024) Novel Carbon Quantum Dots Enhanced Carbon Nanotubes-Graphene Hybrid Nanocomposite for VOCs Detection. Diamond and Related Materials , 148, Article ID: 111438. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.diamond.2024.111438
Chavali, M.S. and Nikolova, M.P. (2019) Metal Oxide Nanoparticles and Their Applications in Nanotechnology. SN Applied Sciences , 1, Article No. 607. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-019-0592-3
Rudel, H.E., Lane, M.K.M., Muhich, C.L. and Zimmerman, J.B. (2020) Toward Informed Design of Nanomaterials: A Mechanistic Analysis of Structure-Property-function Relationships for Faceted Nanoscale Metal Oxides. ACS Nano , 14, 16472-16501. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.0c08356
Zhao, D., Bai, P., Zhou, A., Meng, H. and Li, Z. (2024) Functionalized Nanoscale Metal Oxides for Biosensing, Bioimaging and Cancer Therapy. TrAC Trends in Analytical Chemistry , 174, Article ID: 117684. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trac.2024.117684
Beliatis, M.J., Rozanski, L.J., Jayawardena, K.D.G.I., Rhodes, R., Anguita, J.V., Mills, C.A., et al . (2014) Hybrid and Nano-Composite Carbon Sensing Platforms. In: Demarchi, D. and Tagliaferro, A., Eds., Carbon for Sensing Devices , Springer International Publishing, 105-132. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-08648-4_5
Lee, J., Morita, M., Takemura, K. and Park, E.Y. (2018) A Multi-Functional Gold/Iron-Oxide Nanoparticle-CNT Hybrid Nanomaterial as Virus DNA Sensing Platform. Biosensors and Bioelectronics , 102, 425-431. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bios.2017.11.052
Sahay, R., Reddy, V.J. and Ramakrishna, S. (2014) Synthesis and Applications of Multifunctional Composite Nanomaterials. International Journal of Mechanical and Materials Engineering , 9, Article No. 25. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40712-014-0025-4
Batool, R., Rhouati, A., Nawaz, M.H., Hayat, A. and Marty, J.L. (2019) A Review of the Construction of Nano-Hybrids for Electrochemical Biosensing of Glucose. Biosensors , 9, Article No. 46. https://doi.org/10.3390/bios9010046
Adeniyi, M., Ayoola, V.B., Samuel, T.E. and Awosan, W. (2024) Artificial Intelligence-Driven Wearable Electronics and Smart Nanodevices for Continuous Cancer Monitoring and Enhanced Diagnostic Accuracy. International Journal of Scientific Research and Modern Technology , 3, 3-18. https://doi.org/10.38124/ijsrmt.v3i11.106
Haroun, A., Le, X., Gao, S., Dong, B., He, T., Zhang, Z., et al . (2021) Progress in Micro/Nano Sensors and Nanoenergy for Future AIoT-Based Smart Home Applications. Nano Express , 2, Article ID: 022005. https://doi.org/10.1088/2632-959x/abf3d4
Sutar, P., Sarkar, S.A., Tagare, A. and Pawar, A. (2024) A Review on IoT-Enabled Smart Homes Using AI. 2024 15 th International Conference on Computing Communication and Networking Technologies ( ICCCNT ), Kamand, 24-28 June 2024, 1-6. https://doi.org/10.1109/icccnt61001.2024.10723321
Nazari, A. (2020) Nanosensors for Smart Cities: An Introduction. In: Han, B.G., et al ., Eds., Nanosensors for Smart Cities , Elsevier, 3-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-12-819870-4.00001-3
Gonçalves, J.M., Lima, I.S., Azeredo, N.F.B., Rocha, D.P., de Siervo, A. and Angnes, L. (2021) NiVCe-Layered Double Hydroxide as Multifunctional Nanomaterials for Energy and Sensor Applications. Frontiers in Materials , 8, Article ID: 781900. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmats.2021.781900
Sefadi, J.S. and Mochane, M.J. (2021) Multifunctional 3D Hybrid Nanomaterials for Clean Energy Technologies. In: Hussain, C.M. and Thomas, S., Eds., Handbook of Polymer and Ceramic Nanotechnology , Springer International Publishing, 1463-1492. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-40513-7_43
Wu, X., Chen, A., Yu, X., Tian, Z., Li, H., Jiang, Y., et al . (2024) Microfluidic Synthesis of Multifunctional Micro-/Nanomaterials from Process Intensification: Structural Engineering to High Electrochemical Energy Storage. ACS Nano , 18, 20957-20979. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.4c07599
Abady, M.M., Mohammed, D.M., Soliman, T.N., Shalaby, R.A. and Sakr, F.A. (2025) Sustainable Synthesis of Nanomaterials Using Different Renewable Sources. Bulletin of the National Research Centre , 49, Article No. 24. https://doi.org/10.1186/s42269-025-01316-4
Ayanda, O.S., Mmuoegbulam, A.O., Okezie, O., Durumin Iya, N.I., Mohammed, S.E., James, P.H., et al . (2024) Recent Progress in Carbon-Based Nanomaterials: Critical Review. Journal of Nanoparticle Research , 26, Article No. 106. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-024-06006-2
Kim, S. and Kim, J.H. (2023) Integration of Smart Electronics and Energy Systems. EcoMat , 5, e12404. https://doi.org/10.1002/eom2.12404