• Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry
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• v.68
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• pp.257-266
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• 2018

Here, a controlled green synthesis route involving hydrothermal pre-carbonization cum pyrolysis is reported that converts cucumber into graphene-like carbon nanosheets for supercapacitor application. Transmission electron microscopy analysis reveals the formation of ultra-thin carbon nanosheets with distributed pores. This cucumber derived carbon exhibits high specific capacitance of $143F\;g^{-1}$ in aqueous electrolyte. The two-electrode symmetric cell exhibits a specific capacitance of $58F\;g^{-1}$ at high current density, and high capacitance retention of 97% after 1000 cycles. This simple low-cost process involving widely available cucumber as biomass precursor is a promising, commercially viable approach for developing high-performance supercapacitors.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.239-252
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• 2016

Two-dimensional materials offer unique characteristics for membrane applications to water technology. With its atomic thickness, availability and stackability, graphene in particular is attracting attention in the research and industrial communities. Here, we present a brief overview of the recent research activities in this rising topic with bringing two membrane architecture into focus. Pristine graphene in single- and polycrystallinity poses a unique diffusion barrier property for most of chemical species at broad ambient conditions. If well designed and controlled, physical and chemical perforation can turn this barrier layer to a thinnest feasible membrane that permits ultimate permeation at given pore sizes. For subcontinuum pores, both molecular dynamics simulations and experiments predict potential salt rejection to envisage a seawater desalination application. Another novel membrane architecture is a stack of individual layers of 2D materials. When graphene-based platelets are chemically modified and stacked, the interplanar spacing forms a narrow transport pathway capable of separation of solvated ions from pure water. Bearing unbeknownst permeance and selectivity, both membrane architecture - ultrathin porous graphene and stacked platelets - offer a promising prospect for new extraordinary membranes for water technology applications.