ABSTRACT
In the realm of material science, carbon materials, especially olive-derived carbon (ODC), have become vital due to their sustainability and diverse properties. This review examines the sustainable extraction and use of ODC, a carbohydrate-rich by-product of olive biomass. We focus on innovative preparation techniques like pyrolysis, which are crucial forenhancing ODC's microstructure and surface properties. Variables such as activating agents, impregnation ratios, and pyrolysis conditions significantly influence these properties. ODC's high specific surface area renders it invaluable for applications in energy storage (batteries and supercapacitors) and environmental sectors (water purification, hydrogen storage). Its versatility and accessibility underscore its potential for broad industrial use, makingit as a key element in sustainable development. This review provides a detailed analysis of ODC preparation methodologies, its various applications, and its role in advancing sustainable energy solutions. We highlight the novelty of ODC research and its impact on future studies, establishing this review as a crucial resource for researchers and practitioners in sustainable carbon materials. As global focus shifts towards eco-friendly solutions, ODC emerges as a critical component in shaping a sustainable, innovation-driven future.
ABSTRACT
The ever-increasing threat of climate change and the depletion of fossil fuel resources necessitate the use of solar- and wind-based renewable energy sources. Large-scale energy storage technologies, such as redox flow batteries (RFBs), offer a continuous supply of energy. Depending on the nature of the electrolytes used, RFBs are broadly categorized into aqueous redox flow batteries (ARFBs) and non-aqueous redox flow batteries (NARFBs). ARFBs suffer from various problems, including low conductivity of electrolytes, inferior charge/discharge current densities, high-capacity fading, and lower energy densities. NARFBs offer a wider potential window and range of operating temperatures, faster electron transfer kinetics, and higher energy densities. In this review article, a critical analysis is provided on the design of organic electroactive molecules, their physiochemical/electrochemical properties, and various organic solvents used in NARFBs. Furthermore, various redox-active organic materials, such as metal-based coordination complexes, quinones, radicals, polymers, and miscellaneous electroactive species, explored for NARFBs during 2012-2023 are discussed. Finally, the current challenges and prospects of NARFBs are summarized.
ABSTRACT
The rising energy crisis and environmental concerns caused by fossil fuels have accelerated the deployment of renewable and sustainable energy sources and storage systems. As a result of immense progress in the field, cost-effective, high-performance, and long-life rechargeable batteries are imperative to meet the current and future demands for sustainable energy sources. Currently, lithium-ion batteries are widely used, but limited lithium (Li) resources have caused price spikes, threatening progress toward cleaner energy sources. Therefore, post-Li, batteries that utilize highly abundant materials leading to cost-effective energy storage solutions while offering desirable performance characteristics are urgently needed. Aluminum-ion battery (AIB) is an attractive concept that uses highly abundant aluminum while offering a high theoretical gravimetric and volumetric capacity of 2980â mAh g-1 and 8046â mAh cm-3 , respectively. As a result, intensified efforts have been made in recent years to utilize numerous electrolytes, anodes, and cathode materials to improve the electrochemical performance of AIBs, and potentially create high-performance, low-cost, and safe energy storage devices. Herein, recent progress in the electrolyte, anode, and cathode active materials and their utilization in AIBs and their related characteristics are summarized. Finally, the main challenges facing AIBs along with future directions are highlighted.
