Carbon Nanomaterials: A versatile platform for energy technologies

Abstract

Carbon nanomaterials play an important role in the development of alternative clean and sustainable energy technologies. These materials are a fascinating subject of study themselves, not only for its good chemical and mechanical stability, good electrical conductivity, high specific surface area and controlled pore size, but also because the pore structure can be further modified by active functional groups for the construction of more complex systems with a broad umbrella of applications. Furthermore, the surface chemistry, the morphology and the structural properties of the carbonaceous materials can be controlled by the judicious choice of the carbon precursor material and the route of fabrication. This minireview article spotlights the recent research progress on the synthesis of porous carbon nanomaterials and its application in energy storage and conversion. Particularly, we will discuss the synthesis and applications of mesoporous carbons as functional separator coatings in lithium-sulfur batteries, nanostructured carbons as catalyst supports for fuel cells and functionalized porous carbons as an acid catalyst for biofuel generation. Concluding the minireview, prospects for the future development of practical carbon nanomaterials are discussed.