• Energy Research

The sodium-ion battery (Na-ion battery, NIB) is considered the most promising post-lithium energy storage technology, taking advantage of using the same manufacturing technology as Li-ion batteries (LIBs), while enabling the use of more abundant and economic, thus more sustainable, raw materials. Due to the inability of Na+ ions to be intercalated within the graphene-layered structure of graphite-based electrodes (the state of art anode material in LIBs), highly disordered and microporous carbons, known as hard carbons, are considered the anode material of choice for NIB technology. Biomass-derived biochar (BC) is one of the most relevant classes of hard carbons, exhibiting a good combination of sustainable fabrication, structural-morphological features and electrochemical performances. In this review, the main achievements on BC are rigorously reported from the production to the application into NIBs, with particular emphasis on the strategies to improve the electrochemical behaviour of BC by activating it and tailoring its chemical and structural properties. These strategies include selecting specific feedstocks, modulation of the pyrolysis temperature, pre- and post-production treatments, and materials engineering. The possible role of BC in sustainable NIBs development is also briefly discussed, together with some insights of its use in other post-Li energy storage systems and some concluding remarks and future direction of the research.

The sodium-ion battery (Na-ion battery, NIB) is considered the most promising post-lithium energy storage technology, taking advantage of using the same manufacturing technology as Li-ion batteries (LIBs), while enabling the use of more abundant and economic, thus more sustainable, raw materials. Due to the inability of Na+ ions to be intercalated within the graphene-layered structure of graphite-based electrodes (the state of art anode material in LIBs), highly disordered and microporous carbons, known as hard carbons, are considered the anode material of choice for NIB technology. Biomass-derived biochar (BC) is one of the most relevant classes of hard carbons, exhibiting a good combination of sustainable fabrication, structural-morphological features and electrochemical performances. In this review, the main achievements on BC are rigorously reported from the production to the application into NIBs, with particular emphasis on the strategies to improve the electrochemical behaviour of BC by activating it and tailoring its chemical and structural properties. These strategies include selecting specific feedstocks, modulation of the pyrolysis temperature, pre- and post-production treatments, and materials engineering. The possible role of BC in sustainable NIBs development is also briefly discussed, together with some insights of its use in other post-Li energy storage systems and some concluding remarks and future direction of the research.

Efficiency, stability, and cost-effectiveness are the prime challenges in research of materials for solar cells. Technologically as well as scientifically, attention gained by dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) stems from their low material and fabrication costs as well as high efficiency projections. The aim of this study is to explore the carbon nanotubes (CNTs) based counter electrode (CE) materials for DSSCs and to reconnoiter the suitable alternative materials in place of noble metals such as Platinum (Pt), and Gold (Au).. Various classes of CE materials based on CNTs including pure single walled, double walled, and multiwalled CNTs, doped CNTs and their hybrid composites with various polymers, and transition metal compounds are discussed comprehensively in light of the research work started since the inspection of DSSCs and CNTs.The properties associated with such materials, including surface morphology, structural determination, thermal stability, and electrochemical activity, are also thoroughly analyzed and compared. This work provides a thorough insight into the possibility of exploiting CNTs as alternative CE materials. In addition to the above, this study also includes the working and brief overview of materials for other components of DSSCs such as photoanode, electrolyte, and sensitizer..

Efficiency, stability, and cost-effectiveness are the prime challenges in research of materials for solar cells. Technologically as well as scientifically, attention gained by dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) stems from their low material and fabrication costs as well as high efficiency projections. The aim of this study is to explore the carbon nanotubes (CNTs) based counter electrode (CE) materials for DSSCs and to reconnoiter the suitable alternative materials in place of noble metals such as Platinum (Pt), and Gold (Au).. Various classes of CE materials based on CNTs including pure single walled, double walled, and multiwalled CNTs, doped CNTs and their hybrid composites with various polymers, and transition metal compounds are discussed comprehensively in light of the research work started since the inspection of DSSCs and CNTs.The properties associated with such materials, including surface morphology, structural determination, thermal stability, and electrochemical activity, are also thoroughly analyzed and compared. This work provides a thorough insight into the possibility of exploiting CNTs as alternative CE materials. In addition to the above, this study also includes the working and brief overview of materials for other components of DSSCs such as photoanode, electrolyte, and sensitizer..

The optical properties of each semiconducting layer in amorphous solar cells were deduced from transmittance and reflectance measurements. Optical gaps, absorbances and photon efficiencies o structures were deduced. The influence on such properties of the different transparent conductive oxides used as windows in solar cells was obtained by comparing the same structures covered by Tin Oxide and Indium Tin Oxide respectively.

The optical properties of each semiconducting layer in amorphous solar cells were deduced from transmittance and reflectance measurements. Optical gaps, absorbances and photon efficiencies o structures were deduced. The influence on such properties of the different transparent conductive oxides used as windows in solar cells was obtained by comparing the same structures covered by Tin Oxide and Indium Tin Oxide respectively.

Abstract Biocomposites are composite materials formed by a matrix and a filler derived from natural biomass. The use of biomasses and other biogenic wastes in composites represent an eco-friendly way to use these natural fillers. Biochar is a solid material generated by pyrolysis of biomasses. It is characterized by high carbon content, and for this reason it can be considered a possible substitute for more expensive and/or less environment friendly carbon fillers in composites. Biochars produced at different pyrolysis temperatures are investigated in this work (Miscanthus). They were characterized as produced (morphology, elemental analysis, graphitization grade, DC electrical conductivity) and subsequently used as fillers in epoxy resin. The complex permittivity of composites was then investigated. The aim of this work is to predict the final electrical properties of the composite by an evaluation of biochars characteristics. Results on biochar characterization, in particular DC electrical conductivity, are in agreement with the electrical performances on final composites.

Abstract Biocomposites are composite materials formed by a matrix and a filler derived from natural biomass. The use of biomasses and other biogenic wastes in composites represent an eco-friendly way to use these natural fillers. Biochar is a solid material generated by pyrolysis of biomasses. It is characterized by high carbon content, and for this reason it can be considered a possible substitute for more expensive and/or less environment friendly carbon fillers in composites. Biochars produced at different pyrolysis temperatures are investigated in this work (Miscanthus). They were characterized as produced (morphology, elemental analysis, graphitization grade, DC electrical conductivity) and subsequently used as fillers in epoxy resin. The complex permittivity of composites was then investigated. The aim of this work is to predict the final electrical properties of the composite by an evaluation of biochars characteristics. Results on biochar characterization, in particular DC electrical conductivity, are in agreement with the electrical performances on final composites.