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The incorporation of intermittent renewable energy sources into a consistently controlled power transmission system hinges on advancements in energy storage technologies. Sodium ion batteries (SIBs) are emerging as a primary and viable alternative material due to their electrochemical activity, presenting a potential replacement for the next generation of lithium-ion battery (LIB) energy storage materials. However, this transition may necessitate significant alterations in the anode material, given the incompatibility of the current anode with sodium ions and the electrolyte. This review provides a comprehensive summary of various anode materials employed in SIBs, categorized according to their storage mechanisms. Additionally, it explores the growing focus on utilizing hard carbon as an anode material, driven by factors such as its relatively high specific capacity compared to graphite, cost-effective production, and eco-friendly properties as it can be derived from biomass. The review further addresses recent progress in hard carbon, detailing production methods, modifications, challenges, limitations in integrating hard carbon into the anode of SIBs, and suggests potential directions for future research.
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Hydrogen (H2) represents a promising avenue for reducing carbon emissions in energy systems. However, achieving its widespread adoption requires more effective and scalable synthesis methods. Herein, we investigated the isothermal carburization process of the MoO3 catalyst. This reaction was carried out at a constant temperature of 700 °C in a 60% CO/He stream, with hold reaction times varying (60-min, 90-min, and 120-min). This investigation was conducted using a micro-reactor Autochem with the aim of enhancing the yield of H2. The study focused on evaluating the chemical reduction and carburization behavior of the MoO3 catalyst through X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and CHNS elemental analysis. The XRD analysis revealed the formation of carbides, Mo2C, and MoO2, serving as active sites for subsequent H2 production in the thermochemical water splitting (TWS) process. The carburization at a 60-min hold time exhibited enhanced H2 production, generating approximately ~ 6.60 µmol of H2 with a yield of up to ~ 32.90% and a conversion rate of ~ 54.83%. This finding emphasizes the essential role played by the formation of carbides, particularly Mo2C, in the carburization process, contributing significantly to the facilitation of H2 production. These carbides serve as exceptionally active catalytic sites that actively promote the generation of hydrogen. This study underscores that the optimized duration of catalyst exposure is a key factor influencing the successful carburization of MoO3 catalysts. This emphasizes how important carbide species are to increasing H2 efficiency. Additionally, it is noted that carbon formation on the MoO3 active sites can act as a potential poison to the catalysts, leading to rapid deactivation after prolonged exposure to the CO precursor.
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[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1039/D0RA09438B.].
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Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been recognised as a promising material in a wide range of applications, from safety to energy-related devices. However, poor solubility in aqueous and organic solvents has hindered the utilisation and applications of carbon nanotubes. As studies progressed, the methodology for CNTs dispersion was established. The current state of research in CNTs either single wall or multiwall/polymer nanocomposites has been reviewed in context with the various types of functionalisation presently employed. Functionalised CNTs have been playing an increasingly central role in the research, development, and application of carbon nanotube-based nanomaterials and systems. The extremely high surface-to-volume ratio, geometry, and hollow structure of nanomaterials are ideal for the adsorption of gas molecules. This offers great potential applications, such as in gas sensor devices working at room temperature. Particularly, the advent of CNTs has fuelled the invention of CNT-based gas sensors which are very sensitive to the surrounding environment. The presence of O2, NH3, NO2 gases and many other chemicals and molecules can either donate or accept electrons, resulting in an alteration of the overall conductivity. Such properties make CNTs ideal for nano-scale gas-sensing materials. Conductive-based devices have already been demonstrated as gas sensors. However, CNTs still have certain limitations for gas sensor application, such as a long recovery time, limited gas detection, and weakness to humidity and other gases. Therefore, the nanocomposites of interest consisting of polymer and CNTs have received a great deal of attention for gas-sensing application due to higher sensitivity over a wide range of gas concentrations at room temperature compared to only using CNTs and the polymer of interest separately.