Advanced carbon materials including nano-cellulose, fibres, monoliths, graphite and carbon nanotubes (CNT) out of wastes for the manufacturing of clean energy and storage materials (e.g. batteries), electrodes and advanced adsorbents.
Research into advanced carbon materials derived from waste is opening new avenues for the development of clean energy and storage solutions. By converting waste materials into high-value products like nano-cellulose, fibres, monoliths, graphite, and carbon nanotubes (CNTs), scientists are not only addressing waste management challenges but also contributing to the creation of next-generation materials. These carbon-based materials are crucial for manufacturing components in clean energy technologies, such as batteries and supercapacitors, where they can enhance performance through improved conductivity, stability, and capacity. For example, CNTs and graphite are being explored for their potential to significantly boost the efficiency and lifespan of lithium-ion batteries, which are central to the growing demand for renewable energy storage solutions.
In addition to energy storage, these advanced carbon materials are finding applications in the development of electrodes and advanced adsorbents. Electrodes made from waste-derived carbon materials can offer superior electrochemical properties, making them ideal for use in various energy conversion devices, including fuel cells and electrolysers. Furthermore, the porous nature of some carbon materials, like nano-cellulose and activated carbon, makes them excellent candidates for adsorbents in environmental cleanup efforts, such as water purification and carbon capture. By functionalisation, these carbon materials can also be used as additives to soil for moisture retention, controlled fertiliser/nutrient release and carbon sequestration. By advancing the use of waste-derived carbon materials, researchers are driving the transition towards a more sustainable and circular economy, where waste is not just a problem to be managed, but a resource to be harnessed for creating high-performance materials critical to the future of circular economy.
