Graphene Nanocomposites as Innovative Materials for Energy Storage and Conversion-Design and Headways.

This review mainly addresses applications of polymer/graphene nanocomposites in certain significant energy storage and conversion devices such as supercapacitors, Li-ion batteries, and fuel cells. Graphene has achieved an indispensable position among carbon nanomaterials owing to its inimitable structure and features. Graphene and its nanocomposites have been recognized for providing a high surface area, electron conductivity, capacitance, energy density, charge-discharge, cyclic stability, power conversion efficiency, and other advanced features in efficient energy devices. Furthermore, graphene-containing nanocomposites have superior microstructure, mechanical robustness, and heat constancy characteristics. Thus, this state-of-the-art article offers comprehensive coverage on designing, processing, and applying graphene-based nanoarchitectures in high-performance energy storage and conversion devices. Despite the essential features of graphene-derived nanocomposites, several challenges need to be overcome to attain advanced device performance.

State-of-the-Art of Polymer/Fullerene C60 Nanocomposite Membranes for Water Treatment: Conceptions, Structural Diversity and Topographies.

To secure existing water resources is one of the imposing challenges to attain sustainability and ecofriendly world. Subsequently, several advanced technologies have been developed for water treatment. The most successful methodology considered so far is the development of water filtration membranes for desalination, ion permeation, and microbes handling. Various types of membranes have been industrialized including nanofiltration, microfiltration, reverse osmosis, and ultrafiltration membranes. Among polymeric nanocomposites, nanocarbon (fullerene, graphene, and carbon nanotubes)-reinforced nanomaterials have gained research attention owing to notable properties/applications. Here, fullerene has gained important stance amid carbonaceous nanofillers due to zero dimensionality, high surface areas, and exceptional physical properties such as optical, electrical, thermal, mechanical, and other characteristics. Accordingly, a very important application of polymer/fullerene C60 nanocomposites has been observed in the membrane sector. This review is basically focused on talented applications of polymer/fullerene nanocomposite membranes in water treatment. The polymer/fullerene nanostructures bring about numerous revolutions in the field of high-performance membranes because of better permeation, water flux, selectivity, and separation performance. The purpose of this pioneering review is to highlight and summarize current advances in the field of water purification/treatment using polymer and fullerene-based nanocomposite membranes. Particular emphasis is placed on the development of fullerene embedded into a variety of polymer membranes (Nafion, polysulfone, polyamide, polystyrene, etc.) and effects on the enhanced properties and performance of the resulting water treatment membranes. Polymer/fullerene nanocomposite membranes have been developed using solution casting, phase inversion, electrospinning, solid phase synthesis, and other facile methods. The structural diversity of polymer/fullerene nanocomposites facilitates membrane separation processes, especially for valuable or toxic metal ions, salts, and microorganisms. Current challenges and opportunities for future research have also been discussed. Future research on these innovative membrane materials may overwhelm design and performance-related challenging factors.

Synthesis and characterization of DGEBA composites reinforced with Cu/Ag modified carbon nanotubes.

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are among the strongest and stiffest contender to be used as filler to elevate the properties of epoxy. The aim of this research work is to evaluate the structural, thermal, and morphological properties of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) hybridized with silver, copper and silver/copper nanoparticles (Ag/CuNP) obtained via chemical reduction of aqueous salts assisted with sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) as stabilizing agent. The MWCNTs/NP was further incorporated in DGEBA (epoxy) using ethyl cellulose as hardener. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) reveals micro structural analysis of the MWCNTs/NP hybrids. The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra prove the interactions between the NP and MWCNTs. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) shows that the MWCNTs/NP hybrids decompose at a much faster rate and the weight loss decreased considerably due to the presence of NP. X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirms the formation of NP on the surface of MWCNTs and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirms the full covering of MWCNTs/NP hybrids with DGEBA.