Perspective on Biomass-Based Cotton-Derived Nanocarbon for Multifunctional Energy Storage and Harvesting Applications

Abstract

The demand for renewable-energy-based efficient systems is a practical indication to develop sustainable energy nanomaterials for energy storage and conversion to reduce the use of pollution-based nonrenewable energy systems. The use of biomass-derived energy components is a new age for the development of sustainable energy electrode nanomaterials. Among biomass, cotton-based electrodes are more popular, as they are cost-effective and efficient energy materials. Cotton-plant-derived porous or pristine nanocarbons have good textural and morphological properties with high specific surface area, hierarchical porous structure, and large pore volume. The functionalization, addition of active moieties, and easy synthetic routes improve the properties and enhance the performance of various electronic devices. The functionalization of derived materials with a heteroatom perturbs the electrical neutrality of the framework. The incorporation of active sites enhances the surface area and creates defects in the framework. These properties speed up the charge storage and energy conversion reaction for better performance of fabricated devices. This Review gives a detailed understanding and advancements about cotton-derived energy nanomaterial. Also, it gives insight about the key factors affecting the performance of cotton-based electrodes, electrolytes, and other components of energy devices. This Review concludes with the cotton-plant-derived supercapacitor, fuel cell, and battery, with a deep insight into their physicochemical properties. This Review also discusses the role of the active mass of the material used for the different device fabrications, which alters the performance. Further, a deep insight has been provided with a brief discussion of other electronic devices like photovoltaic, triboelectric, and piezoelectric devices based on cotton-derived nanocarbon.

A Novel Sandwich-Structured Phase Change Composite with Efficient Photothermal Conversion and Electromagnetic Interference Shielding Interface

“…Combined with Figure S2b, the diffraction peak pattern of the cotton-derived carbon shows a broad diffraction peak near 24.6° corresponding to amorphous carbon's (002) plane, with no other obvious peaks, indicating that the cotton yarn was effectively carbonized. Since the pattern of C/CuS/Fe3O4 shows bulges in this location, cotton-derived carbon is identified as contained in the interface material [38]. Simultaneously, four CuS characteristic peaks and two Fe3O4 characteristic peaks appear on the pattern of C/CuS/Fe3O4.…”

Current significance and future perspective of 3D-printed bio-based polymers for applications in energy conversion and storage system

“…Conversely, supercapacitors that work based on electrochemical mechanisms have also undergone monumental development. Through 3 primary mechanisms of electric double-layer capacitance (EDLC), pseudo-capacitance, and hybrid capacitance, this device has been able to provide higher energy density and a longer life cycle compared to batteries [ 95 ]. Although it seems well-established, researchers are continuously looking for the next-generation material for both systems with regard to safety improvement, charge-discharge efficiency, and applicability in advanced components possessing customized properties such as flexibility [ 96 , 97 ].…”

“…Meanwhile, the energy-storing mechanism of the pseudo capacitor is based on continuous reversible redox reactions between the electrode-electrolyte system. Lastly, the hybrid capacitor works based on the combination of the aforementioned mechanisms, faradaically and nonfaradaically [ 95 , 119 ]. Traditionally, supercapacitors are known to be fabricated using screen printing, template-assisted structuring, and holographic lithography which is vulnerable in terms of constructing precisely customized structures.…”

Photoactive Graphene Aerogel from Biomass for the Visible-Light-Induced Degradation of Pharmaceutical Residues

“…The excellent intrinsic properties, unique morphology, and abundant mass transfer pores of GA provide extra active sites and surfaces for catalysis/interaction. Further heteroatom doping makes tuning the bandgap and optoelectronic properties possible. − The introduction of N atom into the graphitic lattice can enhance the activity of GA by disturbing the electrical neutrality of the framework via polarization and perturbation which enriches the free charge-carrier density and in consequence photocatalytic activity. − The economic viability and industrial adaptation of N-doped GA (N-GA) can only be realized through a low-cost, environmentally friendly, and facile synthetic approach.…”