Recent progress in energy conversion and storage of agricultural waste-derived (carbon/nano)materials: a review

Abstract

Nowadays, with the mechanization of human societies, the demand for energy production and storage has also increased. Fossil fuels are running out, and thus, clean energy production using non-toxic and accessible sources is desirable. The valorization of waste materials into useful compounds is among the most important research subjects. Increasing interest in cost-effective raw materials and environmentally friendly precursors has brought agricultural residues up as promising, widespread biowaste all around the world. Rice husks (RHs), corn husks, wheat straws, sugarcane bagasse, fruit nut residues, and many other agricultural wastes have been broadly applied for designing novel materials, which can be applicable for energy conversion and storage. Agricultural waste contains useful chemical compounds, which may act as reducing, stabilizing, or capping agents, templates, precursors, etc., to produce various compounds viz. carbonaceous and (nano)materials. This review paper discusses the compounds that can be applicable for electrocatalytic applications for energy conversion in addition to energy storage. In fact, in this review, reports concerning agricultural waste-derived (carbon/nano)materials for energy conversion as well as energy storage devices such as different types of batteries, supercapacitors, and solar cell systems have been reviewed. The application of agricultural waste for energy conversion and storage is a very important issue due to the increase in the human population in the future, resulting in energy shortage problems. Therefore, suitable solutions must be developed for energy conversion and storage. On the other hand, the application of natural and environmentally friendly agricultural waste is very important for energy production and storage in addition to preventing the accumulation of this waste in the environment.