Issue 51, 2021

On the diatomite-based nanostructure-preserving material synthesis for energy applications

Abstract

The present article overviews the current state-of-the-art and future prospects for the use of diatomaceous earth (DE) in the continuously expanding sector of energy science and technology. An eco-friendly direct source of silica and the production of silicon, diatomaceous earth possesses a desirable nano- to micro-structure that offers inherent advantages for optimum performance in existing and new applications in electrochemistry, catalysis, optoelectronics, and biomedical engineering. Silica, silicon and silicon-based materials have proven useful for energy harvesting and storage applications. However, they often encounter setbacks to their commercialization due to the limited capability for the production of materials possessing fascinating microstructures to deliver optimum performance. Despite many current research trends focusing on the means to create the required nano- to micro-structures, the high cost and complex, potentially environmentally harmful chemical synthesis techniques remain a considerable challenge. The present review examines the advances made using diatomaceous earth as a source of silica, silicon-based materials and templates for energy related applications. The main synthesis routes aimed at preserving the highly desirable naturally formed neat nanostructure of diatomaceous earth are assessed in this review that culminates with the discussion of recently developed pathways to achieving the best properties. The trend analysis establishes a clear roadmap for diatomaceous earth as a source material of choice for current and future energy applications.

Graphical abstract: On the diatomite-based nanostructure-preserving material synthesis for energy applications

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
30 iyl 2021
Accepted
06 sen 2021
First published
28 sen 2021
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY-NC license

RSC Adv., 2021,11, 31884-31922

On the diatomite-based nanostructure-preserving material synthesis for energy applications

P. Aggrey, M. Nartey, Y. Kan, J. Cvjetinovic, A. Andrews, A. I. Salimon, K. I. Dragnevski and A. M. Korsunsky, RSC Adv., 2021, 11, 31884 DOI: 10.1039/D1RA05810J

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported Licence. You can use material from this article in other publications, without requesting further permission from the RSC, provided that the correct acknowledgement is given and it is not used for commercial purposes.

To request permission to reproduce material from this article in a commercial publication, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party commercial publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements