NiS gradient distribution on arrayed porous carbonized grapefruit peel for water splitting

Albizia Procera-Derived Nitrogen-Doped Carbon: A Versatile Material for Energy Conversion, Storage, and Environmental Applications

This review explores the diverse applications of nitrogen-doped carbon derived from Albizia procera, known as white siris. Native to the Indian subcontinent and tropical Asia, this species thrives in varied conditions, contributing to sustainable development. The nitrogen-rich leaves of Albizia procera are an excellent source for synthesizing nitrogen-doped carbon, which possesses remarkable properties for advanced technologies. This material demonstrates significant potential in energy conversion and storage systems, such as supercapacitors and batteries, due to its high surface area, electrical conductivity, and chemical stability. Nitrogen doping introduces active sites that enhance charge storage, making it ideal for renewable energy applications. Additionally, this material shows promise in environmental processes like water splitting and carbon dioxide capture, where its porous structure and chemical functionality enable efficient adsorption and remediation. The review discusses synthesis methodologies, including pyrolysis and activation, to optimize its properties for energy and environmental uses. Nitrogen-doped carbon derived from Albizia procera may expand into catalytic applications, enhancing its role in sustainable technologies. This review underscores the importance of utilizing natural resources like Albizia procera to develop materials that drive both environmental sustainability and technological innovation.

Interfacial engineering of Ni-Co-Mn@Ni nanosheet-nanocone arrays as high performance non-noble metal electrocatalysts for hydrogen generation

The electrochemical hydrogen production from water splitting is a promising strategy for obtaining new energy sources and replacing fossil fuels. In this study, nickel nanocones were first deposited on a nickel foam substrate using a direct current method. Then, a nickel-cobalt-manganese ternary alloy with a nanosheet morphology was deposited on the nanocones using a cyclic voltammetry method with different cycles and sweep rates. The results show that the sample synthesized in 3 cycles with a sweep rate of 10 mV s-1 exhibits the best electrocatalytic activity and requires -81, -121, and -214 mV overpotentials to reach 10, 20 and 100 mA cm-2 current densities, respectively. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy studies also improved the HER performance with the lowest charge transfer resistance among all of the synthesized electrodes. This study introduces an effective and facile method for the fabrication of highly active and stable electrocatalysts.

Bamboo-like nitrogen-doped carbon supported chlorine-doped Fe2P as an antibacterial oxygen reduction catalyst

Bio-inspiration and biomimetics offer guidance for designing and synthesizing advanced catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in microbial fuel cells (MFCs). Herein, a chlorine-doped Fe2P supported by nitrogen-doped carbon (Cl-Fe2P/NC) catalyst was designed and prepared based on imitating the bamboo structure. The electronegative chlorine captured the electron transfer from Fe2P and transferred it to NC through carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The antibacterial chlorine inhibited the cathode biofilm formation to enhance the ion transport. Cl-Fe2P/NC achieved a half-wave potential of 0.91 V and an onset potential of 0.99 V versus a reversible hydrogen electrode. After 500 h of reaction, the MFCs assembled by the Cl-Fe2P/NC cathode achieved a maximum power density of 1505 mW m-2. This work provides insights into the design of advanced materials through bio-inspiration and biomimicry.