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Nanostructured Carbon-base Compounds in Renewable Energy Conversion, Energy Storage, and Environment Applications

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A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Nanochemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2020) | Viewed by 15052

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Yucheng Lan

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Guest Editor

Department of Physics and Engineering Physics, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD 21251, USA
Interests: renewable energy; photo-/electro-catalysts; nanosensing; mechanical response; electron microscopy; nanomaterials
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Hongdong Li

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Guest Editor

State Key Laboratory of Superhard Materials, College of Physics, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
Interests: CVD diamond growth; diamond doping; diamond nanomaterials; theoretical diamond calculations; the multi-functional applications of diamonds; achievement transformation.
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Lawrence P. Cook

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Guest Editor

Department of Chemistry, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC 20064, USA
Interests: materials chemistry; phase diagram and phase equilibria; calorimetry; electrochemistry; crystallography and crystal chemistry

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The discoveries of fullerenes, carbon nanotubes, and graphene ignited research booms chronologically in low-dimensional nanomaterials. Beyond these famous nanostructured carbon allotropes, various kinds of nanostructured carbon compounds have been synthesized and characterized recently, playing more and more important roles in sensing, pollutant degradation, renewable energy conversion, and energy storage. It is time to highlight new discoveries in the emerging fields and guide their potential applications.

This Special Issue is open for all contributors in the field of inorganic nanostructured carbon-base compounds beyond fullerenes/carbon nanotubes/graphene, especially in renewable energy conversions, energy storages, and environments. We invite submissions of original research and review articles to this Special Issue of Molecules, in areas that include but are not limited to the following:

Nanostructured allotropes: nanodiamonds, carbon dots;
Carbon compounds: carbides, carbonates, carbon nitride;
Synthesis, characterization, modification, physical/chemical property, devices;
Electrocatalytics, photovoltaics, thermoelectrics, electronics, optoelectronics, and sensing;
Solar cells, fuel cells, batteries, supercapacitors, sensors.

Prof. Yucheng Lan
Dr. Hongdong Li
Dr. Lawrence P. Cook
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Molecules is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

Carbon compound
Nanostructure
Energy and environment

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 11672 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Analysis of Micro-Scale Deformation and Fracture of Carbonized Elastomer-Based Composites by In Situ SEM

by Eugene S. Statnik, Semen D. Ignatyev, Andrey A. Stepashkin, Alexey I. Salimon, Dilyus Chukov, Sergey D. Kaloshkin and Alexander M. Korsunsky

Molecules 2021, 26(3), 587; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26030587 - 22 Jan 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2639

Abstract

Carbonized elastomer-based composites (CECs) possess a number of attractive features in terms of thermomechanical and electromechanical performance, durability in aggressive media and facile net-shape formability, but their relatively low ductility and strength limit their suitability for structural engineering applications. Prospective applications such as structural elements of micro-electro-mechanical systems MEMS can be envisaged since smaller principal dimensions reduce the susceptibility of components to residual stress accumulation during carbonization and to brittle fracture in general. We report the results of in situ in-SEM study of microdeformation and fracture behavior of CECs based on nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) elastomeric matrices filled with carbon and silicon carbide. Nanostructured carbon composite materials were manufactured via compounding of elastomeric substance with carbon and SiC fillers using mixing rolling mill, vulcanization, and low-temperature carbonization. Double-edge notched tensile (DENT) specimens of vulcanized and carbonized elastomeric composites were subjected to in situ tensile testing in the chamber of the scanning electron microscope (SEM) Tescan Vega 3 using a Deben microtest 1 kN tensile stage. The series of acquired SEM images were analyzed by means of digital image correlation (DIC) using Ncorr open-source software to map the spatial distribution of strain. These maps were correlated with finite element modeling (FEM) simulations to refine the values of elastic moduli. Moreover, the elastic moduli were derived from unloading curve nanoindentation hardness measurements carried out using a NanoScan-4D tester and interpreted using the Oliver–Pharr method. Carbonization causes a significant increase of elastic moduli from 0.86 ± 0.07 GPa to 14.12 ± 1.20 GPa for the composite with graphite and carbon black fillers. Nanoindentation measurements yield somewhat lower values, namely, 0.25 ± 0.02 GPa and 9.83 ± 1.10 GPa before and after carbonization, respectively. The analysis of fractography images suggests that crack initiation, growth and propagation may occur both at the notch stress concentrator or relatively far from the notch. Possible causes of such response are discussed, namely, (1) residual stresses introduced by processing; (2) shape and size of fillers; and (3) the emanation and accumulation of gases in composites during carbonization. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanostructured Carbon-base Compounds in Renewable Energy Conversion, Energy Storage, and Environment Applications)

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15 pages, 4867 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Tuning Magnetic Properties of a Carbon Nanotube-Lanthanide Hybrid Molecular Complex through Controlled Functionalization

by Ibwanga S. Mosse, Venkateswara Rao Sodisetti, Christopher Coleman, Siphephile Ncube, Alvaro S. de Sousa, Rudolph M. Erasmus, Emmanuel Flahaut, Thomas Blon, Benjamin Lassagne, Tomas Šamořil and Somnath Bhattacharyya

Molecules 2021, 26(3), 563; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26030563 - 22 Jan 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2112

Abstract

Molecular magnets attached to carbon nanotubes (CNT) are being studied as potential candidates for developing spintronic and quantum technologies. However, the functionalization routes used to develop these hybrid systems can drastically affect their respective physiochemical properties. Due to the complexity of this systems, little work has been directed at establishing the correlation between the degree of functionalization and the magnetic character. Here, we demonstrate the chemical functionalization degree associated with molecular magnet loading can be utilized for controlled tuning the magnetic properties of a CNT-lanthanide hybrid complex. CNT functionalization degree was evaluated by interpreting minor Raman phonon modes in relation to the controlled reaction conditions. These findings were exploited in attaching a rare-earth-based molecular magnet (Gd-DTPA) to the CNTs. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry and super conducting quantum interference device (SQUID) measurements were used to elucidate the variation of magnetic character across the samples. This controlled Gd-DTPA loading on the CNT surface has led to a significant change in the nanotube intrinsic diamagnetism, showing antiferromagnetic coupling with increase in the Weiss temperature with respect to increased loading. This indicates that synthesis of a highly correlated spin system for developing novel spintronic technologies can be realized through a carbon-based hybrid material. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanostructured Carbon-base Compounds in Renewable Energy Conversion, Energy Storage, and Environment Applications)

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15 pages, 3200 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Paper Strip and Ceramic Potentiometric Platforms Modified with Nano-Sized Polyaniline (PANi) for Static and Hydrodynamic Monitoring of Chromium in Industrial Samples

by Saad S. M. Hassan, Ayman H. Kamel, Abd El-Galil E. Amr, M. Abdelwahab Fathy and Mohamed A. Al-Omar

Molecules 2020, 25(3), 629; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25030629 - 31 Jan 2020

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 2422

Abstract

Screen-printed membrane sensors based on the use of paper and ceramic substrates are fabricated, characterized, and used for rapid batch and continuous monitoring of Cr^III in the form of CrO₄²⁻ in some industrial products and wastewater samples. Strips of paper and ceramic platforms (15 × 5 mm) were covered with conductive carbon paint and then modified with polyaniline (PANI) film, to act as an ion-to-electron transducer, followed by a drop casting of plasticized poly (vinyl chloride) (PVC) Rhodamine-B chromate membrane as a recognition sensing material. In a 5.0 mmol L⁻¹ Trizma buffer solution of pH ~8, the fabricated paper and ceramic based membrane sensors exhibited a near Nernstian response for Cr^VI ion with slopes of −29.7 ± 0.5 and −28.6 ± 0.3 mV decade⁻¹, limit of detection 2.5 × 10⁻⁵ and 2.4 × 10⁻⁶ mol L⁻¹ (1.3–0.12 µg mL⁻¹), and linear concentration range 7.5 × 10⁻³–5.0 × 10⁻⁵ and 7.5 × 10⁻³–1.0 × 10⁻⁵ mol L⁻¹ (390-0.5 µg mL⁻¹), respectively. Both sensors exhibited fast and stable potentiometric response, excellent reproducibility, and good selectivity with respect to a number of common foreign inorganic species. Impedance spectroscopy and chronopotentiometry data revealed a small resistance and a larger double layer capacitance due to the presence of the intermediate polyaniline (PAN) conductive layer. Furthermore, the formation of a water layer between the ion selective membrane (ISM) and the underlying conductor polymer and between the conducting polymer and the carbon conducting surface was greatly reduced. The developed disposable solid-contact potentiometric sensors offer the advantages of simple design, long term potential stability, flexibility, miniaturization ability, short conditioning time, and cost effectiveness that enable mass production. The sensors were successfully used for static and hydrodynamic measurements of total chromium in some leather tanning wastewater and nickel-chrome alloy samples. The results compare favorably with data obtained by atomic absorption spectrometry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanostructured Carbon-base Compounds in Renewable Energy Conversion, Energy Storage, and Environment Applications)

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Review

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18 pages, 2361 KiB

Open AccessReview

Graphene-Based Environmental Sensors: Electrical and Optical Devices

by Hikari Kitadai, Meng Yuan, Yongqiang Ma and Xi Ling

Molecules 2021, 26(8), 2165; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26082165 - 9 Apr 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2890

Abstract

In this review paper, we summarized the recent progress of using graphene as a sensing platform for environmental applications. Especially, we highlight the electrical and optical sensing devices developed based on graphene and its derivatives. We discussed the role of graphene in these devices, the sensing mechanisms, and the advantages and disadvantages of specific devices. The approaches to improve the sensitivity and selectivity are also discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanostructured Carbon-base Compounds in Renewable Energy Conversion, Energy Storage, and Environment Applications)

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21 pages, 12709 KiB

Open AccessReview

Review on the Properties of Boron-Doped Diamond and One-Dimensional-Metal-Oxide Based P-N Heterojunction

by Yu Yao, Dandan Sang, Susu Duan, Qinglin Wang and Cailong Liu

Molecules 2021, 26(1), 71; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26010071 - 25 Dec 2020

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 4417

Abstract

This review is mainly focused on the optoelectronic properties of diamond-based one-dimensional-metal-oxide heterojunction. First, we briefly introduce the research progress on one-dimensional (1D)-metal-oxide heterojunctions and the features of the p-type boron-doped diamond (BDD) film; then, we discuss the use of three oxide types (ZnO, TiO₂ and WO₃) in diamond-based-1D-metal-oxide heterojunctions, including fabrication, epitaxial growth, photocatalytic properties, electrical transport behavior and negative differential resistance behavior, especially at higher temperatures. Finally, we discuss the challenges and future trends in this research area. The discussed results of about 10 years’ research on high-performance diamond-based heterojunctions will contribute to the further development of photoelectric nano-devices for high-temperature and high-power applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanostructured Carbon-base Compounds in Renewable Energy Conversion, Energy Storage, and Environment Applications)

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