Cutting-edge development in waste-recycled nanomaterials for energy storage and conversion applications

Abstract

Agriculture and industrial wastes (AIWs) have attracted much attention because of their huge environmental, economic, and social impacts. AIWs have been considered a crucial link of a closed-loop for the fabrication of nanomaterials and composites wherein they replace traditional resources with sustainable waste in waste management. In this context, the proper disposal of AIWs is required. This review aims to investigate the technical feasibility of using innovative AIW resources and various strategies for the fabrication of nanomaterials for improving energy applications. First, the utilization of AIWs is classified comprehensively. Second, key technologies to produce nanomaterials are summarized. In addition, this review discusses the potential applications of the fabricated nanomaterials in energy storage and energy conversion.

Characterization of Fungal Foams from Edible Mushrooms Using Different Agricultural Wastes as Substrates for Packaging Material

“…Although approximately 280 million tons of plastic are manufactured every year, only 10% is actually recycled [ 1 ]. Considering that plastic waste pollution has caused significant environmental issues in recent years, the demand for environmentally friendly materials has emerged.…”

Nanostructural Design of ZnO Using an Agro-Waste Extract for a Sustainable Process and Its Photocatalytic Activity

“…Doping and heterojunction design can be used to obtain ZnO with improved crystal quality and optical properties and to reduce the charge carrier recombination. − Moreover, tuning the nanostructure morphology is another important aspect in the development of photocatalysts with a potential research interest. ,, The design of different nanostructures requires different types of structure-directing agents (SDA) or templates and includes different material preparation routes such as sol–gel, coprecipitation, hydrothermal, and microwave-assisted methods. ,, However, these methods require different solvents, toxic reducing agents, and other basic media such as KOH, NaOH, and NH 4 OH, which are costly, harmful, and highly reactive in the environment . Therefore, green synthesis is a new approach to nanomaterial synthesis that minimizes environmental impact and has many advantages over traditional synthesis routes, for example, it is more cost-effective and environmentally friendly. ,− Green synthesis methods use plant extracts (from roots, leaves, and flowers), peel extracts, microorganisms, algae, and so forth . The formation of most oxide semiconductors via traditional and green chemical synthesis routes requires basic media; however, the use of synthetic bases consumes a large amount of chemical energy during nanomaterial synthesis.…”

“…Furthermore, our following research explored the synthesis of ZnO nanostructure morphologies using different agro-waste extracts (AWEs). AWEs, as substitutes for volatile organic solvents obtained from nonrenewable petroleum sources, can be used in green organic chemistry for various applications, such as cross-coupling of oxidation and hydroxylation. ,, Furthermore, in the literature, different ash and its water extracts have been used as basic sources or solvents for different chemical reactions or material syntheses. The following section lists a few applications of ash or ash extracts used in the literature that are environmentally friendly and very effective for different reactions.…”

Biomass-Derived Carbon Materials as an Emerging Platform for Advanced Electrochemical Sensors: Recent Advances and Future Perspectives

“…Nanocomposites and nanoparticles offer a wide range of possible uses, including nanoelectronics, biomedicine, solar energy, catalysts, and so on . Scientists must recognize that agricultural waste biomass-assisted synthesis is a low-cost, environmentally friendly, and renewable technique, implying that agricultural wastes are appropriate renewable resources for fabricating nanomaterials to replace harmful materials . Biobased economies and renewable biomass as raw materials have been seen as long-term solutions to local and global environmental concerns .…”

“…1 Scientists must recognize that agricultural waste biomass-assisted synthesis is a low-cost, environmentally friendly, and renewable technique, implying that agricultural wastes are appropriate renewable resources for fabricating nanomaterials to replace harmful materials. 2 Biobased economies and renewable biomass as raw materials have been seen as long-term solutions to local and global environmental concerns. 3 Agricultural waste biomass, particularly lignocellulosic biomass (e.g., rice husk and walnut shell), has received increasing attention as an inexpensive renewable resource for producing fuels and, more recently, chemicals and materials.…”