Open access peer-reviewed chapter

Recent Developments in Nanocarbon-Polymer Composites for Environmental and Energy Applications

Written By

Prateek Khare, Ratnesh Kumar Patel and Ravi Shankar

Submitted: 14 September 2018 Reviewed: 04 March 2019 Published: 18 September 2019

DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.85626

From the Edited Volume

Green Chemistry Applications

Edited by Murat Eyvaz and Ebubekir Yüksel

Chapter metrics overview

947 Chapter Downloads

View Full Metrics

Abstract

Advancement in technology is brought up for both the industrialization and urbanization, which imitates the diverse pollutants as by-products to air-water ecosystem. Utilization of carbon is a very well-known age-old practice used for environmental remediation. In recent past years, a tremendous research inclination has been witnessed toward the sustainable development of nanocarbons specifically for environment remediation and energy applications. The new sustainable synthesis approached has been investigated for the development of sustainable nanocarbons. Tailoring the nanocarbon with polymer as a nanocomposite material has spotlighted a new class of environmentally benign bio-compatible materials. Herein, the present perspective is summarizing the basic-advanced research.

Keywords

  • nanocarbon
  • polymer composite
  • bio-polymer
  • environmental remediation

1. Introduction

Use of chemical products such as, conventional energy reserves, synthetic detergents, pharmaceuticals, dyes, fertilizers, polymers and composites, food additives, agrochemicals, etc., increases over period time across the developing and developed countries and simultaneously is very important for the development of any economy. The society is consuming such products at an exponential rate and thereby generating pollutant in terms of fuel combustion, waste generation in the process operation and waste disposal [1]. Till date, due to their maximum operational, and consumption of the conventional energy reserves including, fossil fuel, and coal are the prime factors of increasing the pollutions to the biosphere at such alarming rate. Moreover, their residue generates unwanted carbon like carbon soot interact ecosystem imparts their toxic nature and affects the ecology [24].

Developments of the green environmentally benign materials and its competent with technology advancement are very necessary and now have become a challenging task for the developing eco-friendly society in the biosphere. The concept of zero-waste production, waste prevention, and with use of efficient materials is the prime concerned for the industries, Therefore, for a healthy society, the role of green chemistry is significant, achieving these targets [5]. As it is a well-known mechanism that green chemistry offers a relatively lesser toxic synthesis approach, by reducing the harmful chemical substances in the designing the useful chemical products [6]. Nowadays, due to the unique properties of carbon-based nanomaterials like good electrical conductivity, ease in surface functionalization, high mechanical strength and good thermal stability of carbon-based fullerenes carbon nanotubes (CNTs), carbon quantum dots and graphene, attracted high interest toward research and used widely in many application purposes. Therefore, in the reported literatures, as wonder materials, carbon-nanomaterials have been used directly or modified for aforesaid applications [7]. Although, following complex techniques and expensive hydrocarbons or other specific hazardous source like laser are not easy to handle in different synthesis routes like chemical vapor deposition (CVD), plasma CVD, laser ablation used for the synthesizing the different carbon-based nanomaterials. There are some reported literatures in which an inexpensive and environmentally friendly approach is exploited for recovering the carbon based nanomaterials and experimentally particularly shown their applicability in remediation and sensing applications [814]. The synthesis of nanocomposites plays leading role in the current advanced applications purposes such as, energy storage, electronics parts, environmental remediation, biomedicine, etc. [15].

Present book chapter deals with production and potential applications of nanocarbon and nanocarbon-polymer composite materials, with special attention on the energy and environmental related sector and their significant role in enhancing the efficacy for the previously mentioned applications.

Advertisement

2. Classifications of carbon and carbon-based nanomaterials

Carbon have tendency to polymerize into the large molecular weight compounds with long chains due to its unique electronic construction and the smaller size in comparison of group IV that makes it capable of linking with other elements. As it contains four electrons in the valence layers, carbon can easily form covalent bonds with both metals and non-metals. Due to this property, carbon-based compounds can exist in diverse molecular forms, and same type of atoms can be arranged in the different shapes, with different properties known as allotropes. Graphite and diamond are two known natural occurring allotropes of carbon found in the ecology and formed other multiple allotropes of carbon from natural carbon sources for the different purposes. Furthermore, with the knowledge of top down and bottom up approaches of nanotechnology, a new family of carbon nanomaterials as wonder materials is introduced. In recent past years, the different types of carbon nanomaterials have been experimentally tested and successfully developed as advance materials in many engineering applications. In general, carbon nanomaterials exist in between 1 and 100 nm size range; therefore, the unique properties of carbon nanomaterials like good electrical, ionic conductivity, high mechanical and thermal stability at the nanoscale compared with other materials are exceptional and competent for many engineering applications [16]. Carbon nanomaterials are classified further based on their shape and geometrical structures, till dates different forms of carbon nanomaterials that are existing; horn-shaped as nanohorns, tube-shaped as carbon nanotube (CNT), ellipsoidal spherical shape carbon nanospheres (fullerenes), and zero-dimension dots exhibited quantum character as carbon quantum dots (CQDs). Because of excellent properties, carbon nanomaterials have now been extensively used synthesizing the nanocomposite materials that and used in many applications including microchannels, micro/nanoelectronics, textiles, paints, gas storage, composites, conductive plastics, displays, antifouling batteries with excellent durability during cycling-charge. The carbon quantum dots, as a newly emerging biocompatible material, have exhibited fluorescence properties and possess many other valuable excellent properties, such as high aqueous solubility, low cost, low toxicity, abundant surface functional groups and large active surface area for functionalization. Although, besides being used as bio compatible materials, such new class of (carbon quantum dots) nanomaterial are also applied as gas biosensors and heavy metal sensing applications [7, 17, 18]. In particular, the unique features of CQDs as up-converted photoluminescence (PL) behavior and photo-induced electron transferability of CQDs have proposed a new route for harvesting the sunlight from nonconventional reserve, to achieve efficient metal-free photocatalysts [1921].

2.1. Fullerenes

Fullerene as a new class of carbon family had introduced by Kroto, Curl and Smalley [22] in 1985 and denoted as buckminsterfullerene (C60). It is an intermediate allotrope of carbon between graphite and diamond as it constitutes from the bunch of atomic Cn repeating unit (n > 20) which are collectively composed to form a spherical surface having a hollow core, or empty region of space inside the molecule. Carbon atoms are usually located on the surface of the sphere at the vertices of pentagons and hexagons and linked by forming sp2-hybridizing covalent bonds. Generally, C60 has two bond lengths, in which double bonds for 6:6 ring bonds are shorter than the 6:5 bonds. The important distinct characteristic ofC60 is that the pentagonal rings resulted in poor electron delocalization. As a result, C60 behaves like an electron deficient alkene, and reacts readily with electron rich species. C60 is the odorless, and nonvolatile black solid having density 1.65 g/cm3, standard heat of formation 9.08 kcal/mol with boiling point of 800 K [23]. Fullerenes, due to its excellent properties like superconductivity, radical scavengers and excellent durability, are frequently applied in medicinal and electronics field, also in solar cell, fuel cell, cosmetic products (low order fullerene such as, C28, C26, etc.), biological/medical area, catalysis and other relevant fields [2426]. Furthermore, fullerene can be easily modified to tailor properties for nanocomposites synthesis. [27].

2.2. Carbon nanotubes

CNTs are one of the types of allotrope among carbon-based nanomaterials that have excellent mechanical and electrical properties. CNT are light-weighted, high strength material as compared to steel at nondimensional scale and discovered first by a Japanese scientist S. Ijimain 1991. Nowadays, due to its extraordinary graphic nature and high specific surface area have attracted attention and applied as a pillar material in many engineering applications like battery, electrochemical, pollutant remediation, and used as fillers for nanocarbon-polymer composites [2830]. CNT exist broadly in two different shapes; cylindrical shaped is formed by rolling of the graphene sheets; and possessed cap fullerene structure appeared in half shape. Based on their geometrical configuration as proficiently qualified is experienced by high voltage electron microscopy techniques. CNT are further classified into two types (i) single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT), and (ii) multiwalled nanotube (MWCNT), Carbon nanotubes are prepared in rolled sheets of very few single layer carbon atoms (graphene) form cylindrical molecules. CNT with diameter 1–3 nm and length of few micrometers while for MWCNT, graphene sheets having 0.34 nm of inter-space distance, are stacked like concentric layers in cylindrical form of diameter 5–40 nm. Zhang et al. has been described in a reported literature, which is approximately 550 mm in length [31]. The properties of CNT are basically dependent upon the diameter, size and morphology. There are several methods are reported for CNT preparation like arc discharge, laser ablation, chemical CVD, and plasma CVD. Among the listed methods, arc discharge was the first technique used for the preparation of CNT while laser-ablation method was used to prepare the SWCNT. In the chemical CVD method, small amount of metallic catalysts (Ni and Co) are used to catalyze the hydro-carbon as source at relatively lower temperature for the growth of graphitic surface. The high enhanced electrical property of SWCNTs is due to the presence of the chirality or hexagon orientation with respect to the tube axis, however on bulk scale its synthesis process is very complex and not easy to control the layers. In contrast to the SWCNT, due to the presence of multiple layers, MWCNT possess high mechanical and thermal satiability. Further, based on SWCNTs morphology, it is classified into three subgroups: (i) armchair morphology exhibiting high electrical conductivity than the copper, (ii) zigzag morphology has good semiconductor property and (iii) chiral morphology has semi-conductive property.

2.3. Graphene

Graphene is two dimensional, single-atom layer of carbon atoms which are sp2 hybridized and fixed in a rigid hexagonal lattice like a flat plane. Graphene is also a primitive building element of graphite, fullerene and CNT, Graphene was discovered in 2004 by Canadian physicist Wallace. It is an allotropic form of carbon with bond length of 0.142 nm between neighboring atoms of carbon and layer by layer of graphene is stacked with an interplanar spacing of 0.335 nm. The layers of graphene in graphite are bounded by Van der Waal forces [32, 33]. The unique physical properties of graphene, such as, thermal stability, mechanical rigidity and electrical conductivity are higher for few layers of graphene than of their three-dimensional materials. Also, graphene conducts high heat because of high thermal conductivity of graphene in comparison with available excellent heat conductors such as, silver and copper, and much better than graphite and diamond [7, 33].

2.4. Carbon quantum dots

A new class of with unique fluorescent property of carbon nanoparticles discovered accidentally Xu et al. in [34] during purification of SWCNTs. Later in 2006, Sun et al. had given a name of such fluorescent materials as carbon quantum dots (CQDs) particle of size found less than 10 nm. Till date, due to its fascinating property (harvesting optical light and imparting multicolor tuned emission) of CQDs offers a surprising potential material in fields of bio-imaging, photo-degradation and catalysis applications [35]. In last decade, various chemical precursors like citric acid, ammonium citrate, ethylene glycol, benzene, phenylenediamine, phytic acid, and thiourea, have been used for synthesizing CQDs. In order to minimize energy consideration, various synthetic methods, including hydrothermal, solvothermal, electrochemical, microwave assisted pyrolysis, ultrasonication, and chemical oxidation, etc., have been tested to produce the fluorescent CQDs. A number of review and research papers have been focused on the synthesis of such CQDs [3639]. However, to date there has not been a very few reviews which explicitly focused on green synthesis routes is discussed in details for sensing and bio-imaging of applications [40].

Figure 1 describes the different types classification of synthesis routes used in developing the different types of nanocarbons.

Figure 1.

Types of synthetic routes of different nanocarbons.

2.5. Naturally occurring synthesis nanocarbon

Nanocarbons occur naturally, but not available at abundant scale; therefore, this approach is not very conventional to control the number of graphitic layers, therefore their physical and chemical properties of nanocarbon may vary for engineering applications. There are different types of nanocarbon available from natural synthesis are reported in literature [41]. Velasco-Santos et al. described the existence of carbon nanotubes in the coal/petroleum mixture [42]. SWCNT can be synthesized by CVD, Su and Chen, 2007 and Mracek et al. 2011used metal oxide mixed volcanic lava as a substrate and catalyst [43, 44]. It was noted that process may provide indication for a probable creation of nanomaterials in natural conditions when the temperature rises extremely high, e.g., during volcano eruptions. Like CNT and SWCNT, fullerenes are also found in different ecological materials, for example in the natural mineral shungite from Karelia fullerene is found in low concentrations (2% w/w) [45] and also in meteorite samples of cosmic origin [46]. Chitin is one of the naturally occurring nanomaterials obtained from carbohydrate polymer. Synthesis of chitin nonmaterial considers the following factors such as, thermal dimensional stability, dispersibility, mechanical reinforcements, antibacterial activity etc. depending on the specific goals [47]. Natural nanomaterials can be obtained from polymer waste and its feasibility depends upon processing, recycling, transportation cost, etc. [48].

2.6. Chemically functionalized nanocarbons

Chemical functionalization process formed a huge distinct variety of carbon-based nanomaterials having different functionality, which are applied successfully in different sectors. As the surface functionalization means, carbon-based nanomaterials are added with other groups that ultimately changed its chemical and physical properties [49, 50]. There are many methods of functionalization available for carbon based nanomaterial, such as oxidation, ionic/non-ionic aliphatic aqueous (Hydrophobic), Ionic/Non-ionic aromatic (π-π stacking), Van der Waals’ force (Attraction), Wrapping, doping, and direct deposition. The modification of surfaces is depending on the feasibility and degree of functionalization for the specific application. Therefore, in light of specific application, materials have been synthesized by following different mechanisms like non-covalent bonds, covalent bonds, electrostatic force, hydrogen bonds, Van-der Waals force etc. [51]. Some example of surface modification are as follows; Jiang et al. covered the CNT surface with active sulfate groups by using sodium dodecyl sulfate (NaC12H25SO4) a common surfactant (anionic) for dispersing the sulfate groups [52]. In oxidation process CNT are exposed to mixture of acids via ultrasonic treatment method, during this process, carboxylic groups (–COOH) is attached with CNT surfaces. Oxidation of CNT is very important and creates oxygen carrying groups (–COOH and –OH), which makes CNT feasible for further functionalization without affecting their electrical and mechanical properties [7].

Advertisement

3. Potential applications of carbon-based nanomaterials

The outstanding physiochemical properties of nanocarbons have triggered interest, toward the applicability of nanocarbons, in multiple area including adsorption, photocatalyst, fertilizer, nanobiotechnology products, environmental materials, and renewable energy related application etc. De Volder et al. reported industrial scale production approximately up to several thousand tons of nanocarbon [17]. Properties like, high thermal stability and mechanical strength of nanocarbon make them suitable alternatively as fillers provides high aspect ratio for nanocomposites materials. Therefore, the prepared nanocomposites materials exhibited enhanced mechanical and other properties as compare to their starting primitive materials [53]. Nasibulin et al. reported the composite material based on cement matrix in which the addition of nanocarbon to original materials exhibited higher strength composite material [54]. Use of low weight, high strength materials in mechanical equipment improves the overall efficiency with low energy consumption. Regarding this use of nanocarbon based materials in energy generating machine such as, turbine as a lightweight and mechanically tough material is desirable [55, 56], and non-corrosive nature and insoluble nature of sp2 hybridized nanocarbon as fillers for marine turbines [57], various electronic applications [58], automotive industry [59], aviation [60], sport equipment allow to use strong and light weighted materials, which generates economical energy generation at optimal energy consumption. Fullerenes and composite based materials are frequently used in pharmaceutical industries [61]. Nowadays, graphene and its composite are frequently in high demands in various applications such as, electronics, solar cell, biochemical sensors [62]. Carbon based nanomaterials based composite materials having excellent properties like high tensile strength, flexibility and good electrical conductivity that make them more favorable for electronics applications [63]. Similarly, the graphene-carbon nanotube/polyvinyl alcohol based composite show high rigidity, strength, and ductility in comparison with conventional nanocarbon materials. Although there is a dramatically increase in the resistivity witnessed for graphene-carbon nanotube/polyvinyl alcohol-based composite, Therefore, such composite materials can be a suitable as a smart stretchable insulator devices using formed by combining the property of conductive nanocarbon materials with epoxy polymer [64].

3.1. Environmental applications of nanocarbon-polymer-based composites

Ecological balance is essential which is majorly affected by different pollutants. Therefore, it is difficult to check ecology balance simultaneously with the rapid growth of industrialization and civilization. In this regard, it is required to increase effectiveness by taking some corrective measures in pre-existing methods of controlling pollutions [65, 66]. In light of nanotechnology knowledge, advanced nanomaterial/composite materials can be developed that significantly enhanced the performance of different pre-existing treatment technologies [55, 57]. For example nanocarbon provide high specific surface area thus, carbon-based nanomaterial/composites provide high specific surface for the adsorption process [29, 30] oxidation process [67, 68], and electrochemical applications [69, 70]. Although, the nanocarbon is one of the most effective adsorbents used in the wastewater treatment because of its high surface area to weight ratio. But, it cannot be applied directly in flow or dynamics conditions [71]. Specific affinity of metal functionalized-nanocarbon based materials as adsorbent exhibited high adsorption capacity specific for different heavy metals (As, Fe, Pb, Cu), vitamin B12, nitrates, phosphates and show superior antibacterial activity than that of primitive activated carbon [7277]. Moreover, after adsorption operation, specific adsorbate with nanocarbon based adsorbent can be separated by the mechanism of filtration and can be recycled [10]. But, high preparation cost of nanocarbon based materials and uncertainties regarding the leaching potential are the major challenges in the application of nanocarbon based materials. Silver coated carbon-based nanomaterials can be used as an antibacterial material and used in disinfection purposes, antimicrobial activity and preparation of biomedical devices [78]. Carbon nanotubes, activated with alcohol 1-octadecanol can also be used as better adsorbent for the absorption of microwaves because of its antibacterial characteristics. So, it can be used in the water purification technologies [79].

Moreover, nanocarbons are not only important in the pollution reduction in different ecological sections, but it has significant importance in the monitoring of pollution stages. Carbon-based nanomaterials and their composites can be used for the development of different and efficient sensors (biochemical) to detect very low concentrations of chemical compounds in different environments. For example, carbon nanotubes loaded with ZnO nanoparticles can be used for congo red dye reduction from aqueous solutions and showing that ZnO/MWCNTs is a promising, environmentally friendly and efficient adsorbent for wastewater treatment [80].

3.2. Energy applications of nanocarbon-polymer-based composites

Economy of any country is directly boom if they can produce and store energy particularly from renewable resource. In this viewpoint carbon-based nanomaterials and their composites can play an important role in the area of energy harvesting and energy storage. It is well known most of the nanocarbon composed of sp2 hybridization and possessed excellent properties such as, high pore size distribution, high surface area, with enhanced mechanical properties and improved electrical properties. In recent years, nanocarbon and nanocomposites are widely applied for developing energy storage and energy saving devices/instrument. Photovoltaic cells are commonly known as solar cell used as an alternative device for harvest renewable energy sources. Photovoltaic cells can be classified in two categories such as, thin films and crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells. Earlier, silicon, cadmium, copper-based compounds are used in the semiconductors used [81, 82] applied in energy storage devices. Nowadays thin-film group photovoltaic cells used platinum-based semiconductor for high band width/specific related applications. But, high cost and availability of platinum increases overall cost of an instrument. In this case carbon-based nanomaterials/composites can play an alternative role of platinum-based materials due to its superior properties [83]. Generally, nanomaterials prepared from graphene are used to enhance electron carriage and boost the efficiency of solar energy conversion [84]. Graphene-based materials can also be used in fuel cells and batteries due to its favorable properties.

Supercapacitors are used for energy storage devices applied in electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, backup power cells, and portable electronic devices due to its advanced properties such as, high-power density, very short charging time, and high cycling stability. The main mechanism of storage of energy in super capacitors are pseudo capacitance and electrochemical double-layer capacitance. In pseudo capacitor, faradic reactions mechanism is responsible for charge transfer processes. Many metals/oxides/conducting polymers are good examples of the pseudo capacitance process. While, in electrochemical double-layer capacitance processes, charges are accumulated at the interface by the mechanism of adsorption/desorption process of electrolyte ions on a large surface area electrode materials. So, in this regards carbon-based nanomaterials can play an important role in the supercapacitor preparations [85]. Supercapacitors based on nanocarbon have many advantages over conventional (metal-based) supercapacitor, such as, high cycling stability, high power density and low energy density limits for their applications in batteries [86].

Excellent mechanical and electrical properties of nan0carbon-based materials (carbon nanotube) offer an exposed surface to functionalize and make them suitable for energy storage. But, it has some disadvantages such as, moderate capacitance due to low density of nanomaterials [87]. The lithium-ion battery is alternative type of energy storing substance, which holds energy as a chemical energy. It has many advantages over capacitors such as, high power density, and less greenhouse gas emissions possibilities [88]. Nanocarbon materials/composites are used in the lithium batteries because structure of the nanocarbon-based material usually express some common factors such as, the amount of lithium that is reversibly incorporated into the carbon lattice, the faradic losses during the first charge–discharge cycle, and the voltage profile during charging and discharging.

Carbon based nanomaterials such as, carbon nanotubes, activated carbons, and graphene based nanosheets are suitable for sustainable energy storage devices, because, carbon materials have many favorable properties such as, light weight, low cost, easy processability, adaptable porosity, and simplicity of chemical modification [89]. Generally, higher specific surface area and pore size distribution of nanocarbon structures allow them to increase the performance of electrochemical capacitance in terms of both the power delivery rate and the energy storage capacity. Some nanocarbon based materials used in the environmental and energy application are shown in Table 1.

SN Nanomaterials Method Materials used Conditions Application Ref
Environmental Application 1 Multiwall carbon nanotube Oxidation, filtration, drying H2SO4: HNO3 (3:1) Sonicated; 3 h; 40°C Heavy metal removal (Cadmium reduction) [67]
2 Oxidized multiwall carbon nanotube EDA, N - HATU, filtration, drying NH2 materials Sonicated; 4 h; 40°C Heavy metal removals (Cadmium and lead reduction) [68]
3 Multiwall carbon nanotube Oxidation/reduction/pyrolysis Ethanol/ferrocene/thiophene Airflow, 400°C, argon flow, 600–900°C ciprofloxacin reduction from aqueous solution [90]
4 Graphitic oxide Oxidation, filtered; washed; dispersed NaNO3, H2SO4, KMnO4, H2O2 Vigorous agitation 20–66°C, dilution: 98°C, 15 min Wastewater treatment [91]
5 Graphite Oxide Oxidation, sonicated; washed; dried Na2S2O3 Sonicated; 1 h, disproportionation; 30 min Heavy metal removal (mercury Hg2+ reduction) [92]
Energy Application 6 Graphite powder Heating, drying, filtration, mixing K2S2O8, P2O5, H2SO4, KMnO4, H2O2 Heating: 80°C, ice bath: 20–35°C, mixing: 35°C for 2 h Fabricating of various microelectrical devices [93]
7 Graphene oxide, graphene nanoplatelets Heating, drying, filtration, mixing Polyethylene glycol, H3PO4, KMnO4, H2SO4, HCl, H2O2 Mixing: 50-0 °C for 12 h, Drying: 50°C, sonicated; 1 h To prepare higher thermal energy storage material [94]
8 Single wall carbon nanotube Absorption, drying, Nitration HNO3, Ag/AgCl electrode, methylene blue Nitration: 10 h, methylene blue doping: 3 h Application in biofuel. [95]
9 carbon nanotubes Melting/heating, sonicated graphite nanoplatelets, phase change materials Heating: 60°C, ultrasonicated at pulse velocity of 25 m/s for 20 min To prepare enhanced thermal conductive material [96]
10 Porous carbon and hydrous RuO2 Oxidation, absorption Sulfuric acid Supercapacitor for energy storage [97]

Table 1.

Application of nanocarbon based materials in energy and environmental field.

Advertisement

4. Conclusion

This book chapter has focused on the application of nanocarbon-based materials/composites in the environmental and energy relevant area. Numerous exceptional properties of nanocarbon based such as, outstanding pore size distribution, large surface area, ease of porous texture modification, mechanical, thermal stability and chemical deformation make them appropriate for the different application. Overall functional group related to nanocarbon attached with specific materials/metals and increases the electrical, thermal and other desirable properties of the composite. Modified nanocarbon-based materials with enhanced electronics properties can be used for the different electronics devices in energy relevant area such as energy storage, conduction, radiation, etc., and environment relevant area such as, pollution parameter detecting devices. Higher surface area of nanocarbon based materials in comparison with conventional materials can be used in the pollution remediation application. Antibacterial nature of nanocarbon based materials can also be used in wastewater treatment for disinfection process and it can be used in preparation of biomedical relevant area to minimize bacterial contamination.

References

  1. 1. Náray-Szabó G, Mika LT. Conservative evolution and industrial metabolism in green chemistry. Green Chemistry. 2018;20(10):2171-2191. DOI: 10.1039/C8GC00514A
  2. 2. Kelly FJ, Fussell JC. Air pollution and public health: Emerging hazards and improved understanding of risk. Environmental Geochemistry and Health. 2015;37(4):631-649. DOI: 10.1007/s10653-015-9720-1
  3. 3. Kopp RE, Mauzerall DL. Assessing the climatic benefits of black carbon mitigation. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 2010;107(26):11703-11708. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0909605107
  4. 4. Eskenazi B, Mocarelli P, Warner M, Needham L, Patterson DG, Samuels S, et al. Relationship of serum TCDD concentrations and age at exposure of female residents of Seveso, Italy. Environmental Health Perspectives. 2004;112(1):22-27. DOI: 10.1289/ehp.6573
  5. 5. Schnitzer H, Ulgiati S. Less bad is not good enough: Approaching zero emissions techniques and systems. Journal of Cleaner Production. 2007;15(13-14):1185-1189. DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2006.08.001
  6. 6. Anastas PT, Kirchhoff MM. Origins, current status, and future challenges of green chemistry. Accounts of Chemical Research. 2002;35(9):686-694. DOI: 10.1021/ar010065m
  7. 7. Zaytseva O, Neumann G. Carbon nanomaterials: Production, impact on plant development, agricultural and environmental applications. Chemical and Biological Technologies in Agriculture. 2016;3(1):17. DOI: 10.1186/s40538-016-0070-8
  8. 8. Tripathi KM, Sonkar AK, Sonkar SK, Sarkar S. Pollutant soot of diesel engine exhaust transformed to carbon dots for multicoloured imaging of E. coli and sensing cholesterol. RSC Advances. 2014;4(57):30100-30107. DOI: 10.1039/C4RA03720K
  9. 9. Uchida T, Ohashi O, Kawamoto H, Yoshimura H, Kobayashi K, Tanimura M, et al. Synthesis of single-wall carbon nanotubes from diesel soot. Japanese Journal of Applied Physics. 2006;45(10A):8027-8029. DOI: 10.1143/JJAP.45.8027
  10. 10. Wang H, Ma H, Zheng W, An D, Na C. Multifunctional and recollectable carbon nanotube ponytails for water purification. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces. 2014;6(12):9426-9434. DOI: 10.1021/am501810f
  11. 11. Lee TH, Yao N, Hsu WK. Fullerene-like carbon particles in petrol soot. Carbon. 2002;40(12):2275-2279. DOI: 10.1016/S0008-6223(02)00198-7
  12. 12. Singh A, Khare P, Verma S, Bhati A, Sonker AK, Tripathi KM, et al. Pollutant soot for pollutant dye degradation: Soluble graphene nanosheets for visible light induced photodegradation of methylene blue. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering. 2017;5(10):8860-8869. DOI: 10.1021/acssuschemeng.7b01645
  13. 13. Khare P, Singh A, Verma S, Bhati A, Sonker AK, Tripathi KM, et al. Sunlight-induced selective photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue in bacterial culture by pollutant soot derived nontoxic graphene nanosheets. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering. 2018;6(1):579-589. DOI: 10.1021/acssuschemeng.7b02929
  14. 14. Tripathi KM, Singh A, Bhati A, Sarkar S, Sonkar SK. Sustainable feasibility of the environmental pollutant soot to few-layer photoluminescent graphene nanosheets for multifunctional applications. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering. 2016;4(12):6399-6408. DOI: 10.1021/acssuschemeng.6b01045
  15. 15. Afreen S, Omar RA, Talreja N, Chauhan DA, Shfaq M. Carbon-based nano structured materials for energy and environmental remediation applications. In: Prasad R, Aranda E, editors. Approaches in Bioremediation, Nanotechnology in the Life Sciences. 1st ed. Switzerland: Springer; 2018. pp. 369-392. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-02369-0_17
  16. 16. Commission E. Commission recommendations of 18 October 2011 on the definition of nanomaterial. Official Journal of the European Union. 2011;54:38-40
  17. 17. De-Volder MF, Tawfick SH, Baughman RH, Hart AJ. Carbon nanotubes: Present and future commercial applications. Science. 2013;339(6119):535-539. DOI: 10.1126/science.1222453
  18. 18. Khare R, Bose S. Carbon nanotube based composites—A review. Journal of Minerals and Materials Characterization and Engineering. 2005;4(1):31-46. DOI: 10.4236/jmmce.2005.41004
  19. 19. Khare P, Bhati A, Anand SR, Gunture, Sonkar SK. Brightly fluorescent zinc-doped red-emitting carbon dots for the sunlight-induced photoreduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III). ACS Omega. 2018;3(5):5187-5194. DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.8b00047
  20. 20. Bhati A, Anand SR, Kumar G, Garg A, Khare P, Sonkar SK. Sunlight-induced photocatalytic degradation of pollutant dye by highly fluorescent red-emitting Mg-N-embedded carbon dots. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering. 2018;6(7):9246-9256. DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.8b00047
  21. 21. Han M, Zhu S, Lu S, Song Y, Feng T, Tao S, et al. Recent progress on the photocatalysis of carbon dots: Classification, mechanism and applications. Nano Today. 2018;19:201-218. DOI: 10.1016/j.nantod.2018.02.008
  22. 22. Kroto HW, Heath JR, O’Brien SC, Curl SF, Smalley. C60: Buckminsterfullerene. Nature. 1985;318(6042):162-163. DOI: 10.1038/318162a0
  23. 23. Rysaeva LK. Mechanical properties of fullerite of various composition. Journal of Physics Conference Series. 2017;938(1):012071. DOI: 10.1088/1742-6596/938/1/012071
  24. 24. Mousavi SZ, Nafisi S, Maibach HI. Fullerene nanoparticle in dermatological and cosmetic applications. Nanomedicine: Nanotechnology, Biology and Medicine. 2017;13(3):1071-1087. DOI: 10.1016/j.nano.2016.10.002
  25. 25. Noh SH, Kwon C, Hwang J, Ohsaka T, Kim BJ, Kim TY, et al. Self-assembled nitrogen-doped fullerenes and their catalysis for fuel cell and rechargeable metal–air battery applications. Nanoscale. 2017;9(22):7373-7379. DOI: 10.1039/C7NR00930E
  26. 26. Yi H, Huang D, Qin L, Zeng G, Lai C, Cheng M, et al. Selective prepared carbon nanomaterials for advanced photocatalytic application in environmental pollutant treatment and hydrogen production. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental. 2018;239:408-424. DOI: 10.1016/j.apcatb.2018.07.068
  27. 27. Yadav BC, Srivastava R, Kumar A. Characterization of ZnO nanomaterial synthesized by different methods. International Journal of Nanotechnology and Applications. 2007;1:1-11
  28. 28. Sharma AK, Khare P, Singh JK, Verma N. Preparation of novel carbon microfiber/carbon nanofiber-dispersed polyvinyl alcohol-based nanocomposite material for lithium-ion electrolyte battery separator. Materials Science and Engineering: C. 2013;33(3):1702-1709. DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2012.12.083
  29. 29. Khare P, Ramkumar J, Verma N. Control of bacterial growth in water using novel laser-ablated metal–carbon–polymer nanocomposite-based microchannels. Chemical Engineering Journal. 2015;276:65-74. DOI: 10.1016/j.cej.2015.04.060
  30. 30. Khare P, Yadav A, Ramkumar J, Verma N. Microchannel-embedded metal–carbon–polymer nanocomposite as a novel support for chitosan for efficient removal of hexavalent chromium from water under dynamic conditions. Chemical Engineering Journal. 2016;293:44-54. DOI: 10.1016/j.cej.2016.02.049
  31. 31. Zhang R, Zhang Y, Zhang Q , Xie H, Qian W, Wei F. Growth of half-meterlong carbon nanotubes based on Schulz-Flory distribution. ACS Nano. 2013;7(7):6156-6161. DOI: 10.1021/nn401995z
  32. 32. Tang B, Chen H, Peng H, Wang Z, Huang W. Graphene modified TiO2 composite photocatalysts: Mechanism, progress and perspective. Nanomaterials. 2018;8(2):105. DOI: 10.3390/nano8020105
  33. 33. Xu J, Cao Z, Zhang Y, Yuan Z, Lou Z, Xu X, et al. A review of functionalized carbon nanotubes and graphene for heavy metal adsorption from water: Preparation, application, and mechanism. Chemosphere. 2018;195:351-364. DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2017.12.061
  34. 34. Xu X, Ray R, Gu Y, Ploehn HJ, Gearheart L, Raker K, et al. Electrophoretic analysis and purification of fluorescent single-walled carbon nanotube fragments. Journal of the American Chemical Society. 2004;126(40):12736-12737. DOI: 10.1021/ja040082h
  35. 35. Sun YP, Zhou B, Lin Y, Wang W, Fernando KAS, Pathak P, et al. Quantum-sized carbon dots for bright and colorful photoluminescence. Journal of the American Chemical Society. 2006;128(24):7756-7757. DOI: 10.1021/ja062677d
  36. 36. Wu ZL, Liu ZX, Yuan YH. Carbon dots: Materials, synthesis, properties and approaches to long-wavelength and multicolor emission. Journal of Materials Chemistry B. 2017;5(21):3794-3809. DOI: 10.1039/C7TB00363C
  37. 37. Gao X, Du C, Zhuang Z, Chen W. Carbon quantum dot-based nanoprobes for metal ion detection. Journal of Materials Chemistry C. 2016;4(29):6927-6945. DOI: 10.1039/C6TC02055K
  38. 38. Liu W, Li C, Ren Y, Sun X, Pan W, Li Y, et al. Carbon dots: Surface engineering and applications. Journal of Materials Chemistry B. 2016;4(35):5772-5788. DOI: 10.1039/C6TB00976J
  39. 39. Xu Q , Kuang T, Liu Y, Cai L, Peng X, Sreeprasad TS, et al. Heteroatom-doped carbon dots: Synthesis, characterization, properties, photoluminescence mechanism and biological applications. Journal of Materials Chemistry B. 2016;4(45):7204-7219. DOI: 10.1039/C6TB02131J
  40. 40. Sharma V, Tiwari P, Mobin SM. Sustainable carbon-dots: recent advances in green carbon dots for sensing and bioimaging. Journal of Materials Chemistry B. 2017;5(45):8904-8924. DOI: 10.1039/C7TB02484C
  41. 41. MacKenzie KJ, See CH, Dunens OM, Harris AT. Do single-walled carbonnanotubes occur naturally? Nature Nanotechnology. 2008;3:310. DOI: 10.1038/nnano.2008.139
  42. 42. Velasco-Santos C, Martinez-Hernandez AL, Consultchi A, Rodriguez R, Castano VM. Naturally produced carbon nanotubes. Chemical Physics Letters. 2003;373:272-276. DOI: 10.1016/S0009-2614(03)00615-8
  43. 43. Su DS, Chen X. Natural lavas as catalysts for efficient production of carbon nanotubes and nanofibers. Angewandte Chemie, International Edition. 2007;46(11):1823-1824. DOI: 10.1002/anie.200604207
  44. 44. Mracek J, Fagan RD, Stengelin RM, Hesjedal T. Are carbon nanotubes a naturally occurring material? Hints from methane CVD using lava as acatalyst. Current Nanoscience. 2011;7(3):294-296. DOI: 10.2174/157341311795542543
  45. 45. Buseck PR, Tsipursky SJ, Hettich R. Fullerenes from the geological environment. Science. 1992;257(5067):215-217. DOI: 10.1126/science.257.5067.215
  46. 46. Becker L, Bada JL, Winans RE, Bunch TE. Fullerenes in Allende meteorite. Nature. 1994;372:507. DOI: 10.1038/372507a0
  47. 47. Tran TH, Nguyen HL, Hwang DS, Lee JY, Cha HG, Koo JM, et al. Five different chitin nanomaterials from identical source with different advantageous functions and performances. Carbohydrate Polymers. 2019;205:392-400. DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2018.10.089
  48. 48. Okan M, Aydin HM, Barsbay M. Current approaches to waste polymer utilization and minimization: A review. Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology. 2019;94(1):8-21. DOI: 10.1002/jctb.5778
  49. 49. Hirsch A, Vostrowsky O. Functionalization of carbon nanotubes. Topics in Current Chemistry. 2005;245:193-237. DOI: 10.1007/b98169
  50. 50. Hernández-Fernández P, Montiel M, Ocón P, Fuente JL, García-Rodríguez S, Rojas S, et al. Functionalization of multi-walled carbon nanotubes and application as supports for electrocatalysts in proton-exchange membrane fuel cell. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental. 2010;99(1-2):343-352. DOI: 10.1016/j.apcatb.2010.07.005
  51. 51. Li X, Qin Y, Picraux ST, Guo ZX. Noncovalent assembly of carbon nanotube-inorganic hybrids. Journal of Materials Chemistry. 2011;21:7527-7547. DOI: 10.1039/c1jm10516g
  52. 52. Jiang L, Gao L, Sun J. Production of aqueous colloidal dispersions of carbon nanotubes. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science. 2003;260(1):89-94. DOI: 10.1016/S0021-9797(02)00176-5
  53. 53. Ahmad K, Pan W. Microstructure-toughening relation in alumina based multiwall carbon nanotube ceramic composites. Journal of the European Ceramic Society. 2015;35(2):663-671. DOI: 10.1016/j.jeurceramsoc.2014.08.044
  54. 54. Nasibulin AG, Shandakov SD, Nasibulina LI, Cwirzen A, Mudimela PR, Habermehl-Cwirzen K, et al. A novel cement-based hybrid material. New Journal of Physics. 2009;11:023013. DOI: 10.1088/1367-2630/11/2/023013
  55. 55. Ma PC, Zhang Y. Perspectives of carbon nanotubes/polymer nanocomposites for wind blade materials. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 2014;30:651-660. DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2013.11.008
  56. 56. Loh KJ, Ryu D. 11-multifunctional materials and nanotechnology for assessing and monitoring civil infrastructures. In: Wang M, Lynch J, Sohn H, editors. Sensor technologies for civil infrastructures: Woodhead Publishing Series in Electronic and Optical Materials. Vol. 1. Sawston: Woodhead Publishing; 2014. pp. 295-326. DOI: 10.1533/9780857099136.295
  57. 57. Ng K, Lam W, Pichiah S. A review on potential applications of carbon nanotubes in marine current turbines. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 2013;28:331-339. DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2013.08.018
  58. 58. Tan D, Zhang Q. Research of carbon nanotubes/polymer composites for sports equipment. In: Zhang T, editor. Future Computer, Communication, Control and Automation. Advances in Intelligent and Soft Computing. Vol. 119. Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer; 2012. pp. 137-146. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-25538-0_20
  59. 59. Peddini SK, Bosnyak CP, Henderson NM, Ellison CJ, Paul DR. Nanocomposites from styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) and multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) part 1: Morphology and rheology. Polymer. 2014;55(1):258-270. DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2013.11.003
  60. 60. Gohardani O, Elola MC, Elizetxea C. Potential and prospective implementation of carbon nanotubes on next generation aircraft and space vehicles: A review of current and expected applications in aerospace sciences. Progress in Aerospace Sciences. 2014;70:42-68. DOI:10.1016/j.paerosci.2014.05.002
  61. 61. Uritu CM, Varganici CD, Ursu L, Coroaba A, Nicolescu A, Dascalu AI, et al. Hybrid fullerene conjugates as vectors for DNA cell-delivery. Journal of Materials Chemistry B. 2015;3:2433-2446. DOI: 10.1039/C4TB02040E
  62. 62. Choi W, Lahiri I, Seelaboyina R, Kang YS. Synthesis of graphene and its applications: A review. Critical Reviews in Solid State and Materials Sciences. 2010;35(1):52-71. DOI: 10.1080/10408430903505036
  63. 63. Lei T, Pochorovski I, Bao Z. Separation of semiconducting carbon nanotubes for flexible and stretchable electronics using polymer removable method. Accounts of Chemical Research. 2017;50(4):1096-1104. DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.7b00062
  64. 64. Watanabe R, Matsuzaki R, Endo H, Koyanagi J. Stretchable and insulating characteristics of chemically bonded graphene and carbon nanotube composite materials. Journal of Materials Science. 2018;53(2):1148-1156. DOI: 10.1007/s10853-017-1563-y
  65. 65. Shankar R, Singh L, Mondal P, Chand S. Removal of COD, TOC, and color from pulp and paper industry wastewater through electrocoagulation. Desalination and Water Treatment. 2014;52(40-42):7711-7722. DOI: 10.1080/19443994.2013.831782
  66. 66. Shankar R, Varma AK, Mondal P, Chand S. Simultaneous treatment and energy production from PIW using electro coagulation & microbial fuel cell. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering. 2016;4(4A):4612-4618. DOI: 10.1016/j.jece.2016.10.021
  67. 67. Vukovic GD, Marinkovic AD, Colic M, Ristic MD, Aleksic R, Peric-Grujic AA, et al. Removal of cadmium from aqueous solutions by oxidized and ethylenediamine-functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes. Chemical Engineering Journal. 2010;157(1):238-248. DOI: 10.1016/j.cej.2009.11.026
  68. 68. Vukovic GD, Marinkovic AD, Skapin SD, Ristic MD, Aleksic R, Peric-Grujic AA, et al. Removal of lead from water by amino modified multiwalled carbon nanotubes. Chemical Engineering Journal. 2011;173(3):855-865. DOI: 10.1016/j.cej.2011.08.036
  69. 69. Yadav A, Verma N. Efficient hydrogen production using Ni-graphene oxide-dispersed laser-engraved 3D carbon micropillars as electrodes for microbial electrolytic cell. Renewable Energy. 2019;38:628-638. DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2019.01.100
  70. 70. Khare P, Ramkumar J, Verma N. Carbon nanofiber-skinned three dimensional Ni/carbon micropillars: High performance electrodes of a microbial fuel cell. Electrochimica Acta. 2016;219:88-98. DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2016.09.140
  71. 71. Smith SC, Rodrigues DF. Carbon-based nanomaterials for removal of chemical and biological contaminants from water: A review of mechanisms and applications. Carbon. 2015;91:122-143. DOI: 10.1016/j.carbon.2015.04.043
  72. 72. Yan H, Gong A, He H, Zhou J, Wei Y, Lv L. Adsorption of microcystins by carbon nanotubes. Chemosphere. 2006;62(1):142-114. DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2005.03.075
  73. 73. Li Y, Wang S, Wei J, Zhang X, Xu C, Luan Z, et al. Lead adsorption on carbon nanotubes. Chemical Physics Letters. 2002;357(3-4):263-266. DOI: 10.1016/S0009-2614(02)00502-X
  74. 74. Dichiara AB, Webber MR, Gorman WR, Rogers RE. Removal of copper ions from aqueous solutions via adsorption on carbon nanocomposites. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces. 2015;7(28):15674-15680. DOI: 10.1021/acsami.5b04974
  75. 75. Zhang L, Song X, Liu X, Yang L, Pan F, Lv J. Studies on the removal of tetracycline by multi-walled carbon nanotubes. Chemical Engineering Journal. 2011;178:26-33. DOI: 10.1016/j.cej.2011.09.127
  76. 76. Deng J, Shao Y, Gao N, Deng Y, Tan C, Zhou S, et al. Multiwalled carbon nanotubes as adsorbents for removal of herbicide diuron from aqueous solution. Chemical Engineering Journal. 2012;193-194:339-347. DOI: 10.1016/j.cej.2012.04.051
  77. 77. Zheng X, Su Y, Chen Y, Wei Y, Li M, Huang H. The effects of carbon nanotubes on nitrogen and phosphorus removal from real wastewater in the activated sludge system. RSC Advances. 2014;4:45953-45959. DOI: 10.1039/C4RA04128C
  78. 78. Jung JH, Hwang GB, Lee JE, Bae GN. Preparation of airborne Ag/CNT hybrid nanoparticles using an aerosol process and their application to antimicrobial air filtration. Langmuir. 2011;27(16):10256-10264. DOI: 10.1021/la201851r
  79. 79. Al-Hakami SM, Khalil AB, Laoui T, Atieh MA. Fast disinfection of Escherichia colibacteria using carbon nanotubes interaction with microwave radiation. Bioinorganic Chemistry and Applications. 2013;2013:458943. DOI: 10.1155/2013/458943
  80. 80. Arabi S, Lalehloo RS, Olyai M, Ali G, Sadegh H. Removal of congo red azo dye from aqueous solution by ZnO nanoparticles loaded on multiwall carbon nanotubes. Physica E: Low-Dimensional Systems and Nanostructures. 2019;106:150-155. DOI: 10.1016/j.physe.2018.10.030
  81. 81. Zulkifili ANB, Kento T, Daiki M, Fujiki A. The basic research on the dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC). Journal of Clean Energy Technologies. 2015;3(5):382-387. DOI: 10.7763/JOCET.2015.V3.228
  82. 82. Yun S, Hagfeldt A, Ma T. Pt-free counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells with high efficiency. Advanced Materials. 2014;26(36):6210-6237. DOI: 10.1002/adma.201402056
  83. 83. Hwang S, Batmunkh M, Nine MJ, Chung H, Jeong H. Dye-sensitized solar cell counter electrodes based on carbon nanotubes. ChemPhysChem. 2015;16(1):53-65. DOI: 10.1002/cphc.201402570
  84. 84. Zheng X, Zhang L. Photonic nanostructures for solar energy conversion. Energy & Environmental Science. 2016;9:2511-2532. DOI: 10.1039/C6EE01182A
  85. 85. Wu Z, Li L, Yan JM, Zhang XB. Materials design and system construction for conventional and new concept super capacitors. Advanced Science. 2017;4(6):1600382. DOI: 10.1002/advs.201600382
  86. 86. Lukatskaya MR, Dunn B, Gogotsi Y. Multidimensional materials and device architectures for future hybrid energy storage. Nature Communications. 2016;7:12647. DOI: 10.1038/ncomms12647
  87. 87. Zuo W, Li R, Zhou C, Li Y, Xia J, Liu J. Battery-supercapacitor hybrid devices: recent progress and future prospects. Advanced Science. 2017;4(7):1600539. DOI: 10.1002/advs.201600539
  88. 88. Zheng JS, Zhang L, Shellikeri A, Cao W, Wu Q , Zheng JP. A hybrid electrochemical device based on a synergetic inner combination of Li ion battery and Li ion capacitor for energy storage. Scientific Reports. 2017;7:41910. DOI: 10.1038/srep41910
  89. 89. Wang J, Kaskel S. KOH activation of carbon-based materials for energy storage. Journal of Materials Chemistry. 2012;22:23710-23725. DOI: 10.1039/C2JM34066F
  90. 90. Ma J, Yang M, Yu F, Chen J. Easy solid-phase synthesis of pH-insensitive heterogeneous CNTs/FeS Fenton-like catalyst for the removal of antibiotics from aqueous solution. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science. 2015;444:24-32. DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2014.12.027
  91. 91. Hummers WS, Offeman RE. Preparation of graphitic oxide. Journal of the American Chemical Society. 1958;80(6):1339-1339. DOI: 10.1021/ja01539a017
  92. 92. Thakur S, Das G, Raul PK, Karak N. Green one-step approach to prepare sulfur/reduced graphene oxide nanohybrid for effective mercury ions removal. The Journal of Physical Chemistry C. 2013;117(15):7636-7642. DOI: 10.1021/jp400221k
  93. 93. Xu Y, Bai H, Lu G, Li C, Shi G. Flexible graphene films via the filtration of water-soluble noncovalent functionalized graphene sheets. Journal of The American Chemical Society. 2008;130(18):5856-5857. DOI: 10.1021/ja800745y
  94. 94. Qi GQ , Yang J, Bao RY, Liu ZY, Yang W, Xie BH, et al. Enhanced comprehensive performance of polyethylene glycol based phase change material with hybrid graphene nanomaterials for thermal energy storage. Carbon. 2015;88:196-205. DOI: 10.1016/j.carbon.2015.03.009
  95. 95. Yan Y, Zheng W, Su L, Mao L. Carbon-nanotube-based glucose/O2 biofuel cells. Advanced Materials. 2006;18(19):2639-2643. DOI: 10.1002/adma.200600028
  96. 96. Yu S, Jeong SG, Chung O, Kim S. Bio-based PCM/carbon nanomaterials composites with enhanced thermal conductivity. Solar Energy Materials & Solar Cells. 2014;120(B):549-554. DOI: 10.1016/j.solmat.2013.09.037
  97. 97. Cui G, Zhi L, Thomas A, Lieberwirth I, Kolb U, Müllen K. A novel approach towards carbon–Ru electrodes with mesoporosity for supercapacitors. ChemPhysChem. 2007;8(7):1013-1015. DOI: 10.1002/cphc.200600789

Written By

Prateek Khare, Ratnesh Kumar Patel and Ravi Shankar

Submitted: 14 September 2018 Reviewed: 04 March 2019 Published: 18 September 2019