A Green Approach for the Synthesis of Coconut Husk Ash –Twisted Graphene Nanocomposites: Novel Catalysts for Solvent‐Free Biginelli Reaction

Abstract

Herein we report an easy, scalable, cost‐effective and green synthesis of twisted graphene from bulk graphite by a ball milling technique with the in situ formation of novel coconut husk ash (CHA) ‐ twisted graphene nanocomposite and its catalytic application towards multicomponent Biginelli reaction. Here the ash derived from naturally available waste material (coconut husk) is effectively used as an exfoliating agent for the scissoring of graphene layers from bulk graphite for the first time. The elemental analysis data obtained by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP‐AES) provided useful information regarding the composition of CHA and the nanocomposites. The X‐ray diffraction (XRD) patterns confirmed the exfoliation of graphite into graphene layers. Raman spectroscopic analysis evaluated the quality and the nature of graphene layers in the composites. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis confirmed the bonding between the graphene layers and CHA particles. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images revealed the presence of few layered graphene as well as twisted graphene in the composites. The CHA – twisted graphene nanocomposite is found to be an excellent reusable catalyst for Biginelli reaction with a higher yield of 3,4‐dihydropyrimidinones within short duration of reaction.

Biomass‐Derived Carbon for High‐Performance Batteries: From Structure to Properties

“…Green energy generation and storage technologies have been vigorously developed to overcome the challenges raised by environmental pollution and excessive consumption of fossil nature make BDC materials have low-cost, green, and endless raw resources. [50][51][52] Wood, [53,54] orange peel, [55,56] grass, [57,58] mangosteen peel, [59] apricot shell, [60] coconut husk [61,62] are widely accepted biomass materials, [63,64] and have been widely favored by researchers in recent years. [64][65][66] Inspired by the transport regulation mechanism and natural structure of tree pore membranes, [68,69] an innovative idea has been proposed by using natural wood nanostructures to optimize lithium-ion distribution and deposition behavior of lithium metal anode.…”

Waste-to-wealth transition: application of natural waste materials as sustainable catalysts in multicomponent reactions

“…According to XPS, various elements such as C, O, Ca, Si, and Mg are present in the structure of WCHA-TG30, which retained its catalytic activity after 5 cycles. 82…”

Production and Applications of Biomass-Derived Graphene-Like Materials

“…Kinetic energy from the moving ball to the milled material will break the bond interaction [44]. Therefore, the ball milling technique has been used by Narayanan and teammates [45] to produce graphene nanocomposites from coconut husk ash (CHA) where the exfoliation of graphite to graphene easily occurred due to the weak van der Waals forces of attraction between the layers. To further improve the exfoliation and the quality of the produced graphene, a milling agent such as potassium chloride (KCl) is used.…”