Palanichamy Kalyani

By Palanichamy Kalyani, Thakku Rangachari Banuprabha, Chinnamayan Sudharsana and Nazim Anvarsha

Activated carbon (AC) is a wonder-material that finds multifarious applications such as catalytic supports, removal of pollutants, electrodes in energy gadgets, gas storage etc. Surface area, chemical constituents and pore structures are a few traits required in the ACs which largely depend on the source of the precursors and processing methodologies adopted. In this context, the idea of recycling phytomass for producing ACs has attracted researchers seeing that the inexpensive and renewable nature of the phytomass can reduce the overall cost of producing ACs with diversified features and that it does not add CO2 to the atmosphere leading to global warming (plants release only the same amount of CO2 as they consumed while growing). Further, phytomass after their life possess no value but their conversion into ACs would be an economically profitable option leading to inexpensive ACs. As a consequent of these advantages this chapter has been planned and designed to provide certain interesting multifunctional aspects of low-cost phytomass derived ACs. The chapter is expected to provide research insights oriented towards identification of unexplored phytomass or wastes which could lead to carbon with novel properties tunable to the applications. Filth-to-wealth or in other words, recycling of wastes provides a strategy categorized under circular-bioeconomy, which is the want of the hour.

Part of the book: Waste Material Recycling in the Circular Economy

By Chinnamayan Sudharsana, Nazim Anvarsha and Palanichamy Kalyani

Carbon-based nanocomposites (CNC) with remarkable properties have diverse applications in scientific and technological domains. This review provides an overview of synthesis methods, including chemical vapor deposition, sol-gel synthesis, and self-assembly, also necessitating precise control over composition, structure, and morphology for tailored properties. The review explores the multifunctionality of the CNCs’ in five important areas. In energy storage systems (in supercapacitors and lithium-ion batteries), for improved charge storage capacity and cycling stability. In sensing technologies, CNCs exhibit sensitivity, enhancing the detection of analytes and have been applied in biosensing in medical diagnostics and in environmental monitoring. As catalyst support materials, CNCs enhance efficiency in various catalytic reactions. In nanomedicine, CNCs contribute to drug delivery and imaging with biocompatibility and unique optical properties. Environmental applications of CNCs include water treatment, air purification, and pollutant remediation for sustainable solutions. Critical insights from recent advancements and research studies address challenges and outline future directions have been provided in the review article. In conclusion, this comprehensive review emphasizes CNCs’ transformative impact on energy storage, sensing technologies, catalysis, nanomedicine, and environmental remediation, marking a significant step in addressing contemporary challenges and shaping future technology.

Part of the book: Nanocomposites - Properties, Preparations and Applications [Working title]