Synthesizing Reproducible Waste Biomass-Derived Carbon Electrocatalysts for Energy Storage and Conversion Applications
Shir Tabac-Agam
Supervisor: Prof. David Eisenberg
Growing interest in sustainable energy technologies and waste valorization has led to significant research on the transformation of biomass into advanced carbon materials for electrochemical applications. Recent studies have established that, with carefully controlled synthesis and characterization protocols, various forms of agricultural and food waste can serve as reliable and tuneable sources for high-performance carbon electrodes.1 Among these, spent coffee grounds have emerged as a particularly promising precursor, enabling the fabrication of carbons with hierarchical porosity and tailored surface chemistry suitable for energy applications.2–4
In my PhD seminar, I will discuss the synthesis of reproducible waste biomass-derived carbon electrocatalysts for energy storage and conversion applications. From answering the question can biomass become a precise source for carbon electrodes to optimizing waste coffee-derived carbon electrocatalysts by tuning synthesis parameters. From testing these electrocatalysts in a direct hydrazine fuel cell,5,6 to assessing their life cycle and global warming impact, highlighting the broader sustainability advantages of converting agro-waste into functional energy materials.7 Finally, I will present the possible utilization of waste-pomegranate as carbon electrocatalysts in energy applications. Extending this strategy to other agricultural wastes further underscores the adaptability and potential impact of biomass-derived carbons in advancing next-generation, eco-friendly and low-cost energy technologies.
References:
(1) Tabac, S.; Eisenberg, D. Pyrolyze This Paper: Can Biomass Become a Source for Precise Carbon Electrodes? Current Opinion in Electrochemistry 2021, 25, 100638. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coelec.2020.09.005.
(2) Chalmpes, N.; Tantis, I.; Alsmaeil, A. W.; Aldakkan, B. S.; Dimitrakou, A.; Karakassides, M. A.; Salmas, C. E.; Giannelis, E. P. Elevating Waste Biomass: Supercapacitor Electrode Materials Derived from Spent Coffee Grounds. Energy Fuels 2025, 39 (2), 1305–1315. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.energyfuels.4c05250.
(3) Alves, A. C. F.; Antero, R. V. P.; de Oliveira, S. B.; Ojala, S. A.; Scalize, P. S. Activated Carbon Produced from Waste Coffee Grounds for an Effective Removal of Bisphenol-A in Aqueous Medium. Environ Sci Pollut Res 2019, 26 (24), 24850–24862. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-019-05717-7.
(4) Chen, H.-M.; Lau, W.-M.; Zhou, D. Waste-Coffee-Derived Activated Carbon as Efficient Adsorbent for Water Treatment. Materials (Basel) 2022, 15 (23), 8684. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15238684.
(5) Asazawa, K.; Yamada, K.; Tanaka, H.; Oka, A.; Taniguchi, M.; Kobayashi, T. A Platinum-Free Zero-Carbon-Emission Easy Fuelling Direct Hydrazine Fuel Cell for Vehicles. Angewandte Chemie 2007, 119 (42), 8170–8173. https://doi.org/10.1002/ange.200701334.
(6) Asazawa, K.; Sakamoto, T.; Yamaguchi, S.; Yamada, K.; Fujikawa, H.; Tanaka, H.; Oguro, K. Study of Anode Catalysts and Fuel Concentration on Direct Hydrazine Alkaline Anion-Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells. J. Electrochem. Soc. 2009, 156 (4), B509. https://doi.org/10.1149/1.3082129.
(7) Forcina, A.; Petrillo, A.; Travaglioni, M.; di Chiara, S.; De Felice, F. A Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of Different Spent Coffee Ground Reuse Strategies and a Sensitivity Analysis for Verifying the Environmental Convenience Based on the Location of Sites. Journal of Cleaner Production 2023, 385, 135727. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.135727.