2025, Vol.35, No.2

Advancements in carbon microsphere-based nanocomposites: synthesis, properties and multifaceted applications: a comprehensive review

Appukuttan Saritha , Kuruvilla Joseph | 2025, 35(2) | pp.387~416 | number of Cited : 0

Advance in the modification of g-C3N4-based composite for photocatalytic H2 production

| 2025, 35(2) | pp.417~440 | number of Cited : 0

Hydrothermal synthesis and structural design of zero- to three-dimensional biomass-derived carbon nanomaterials

| 2025, 35(2) | pp.441~467 | number of Cited : 0

Recent research trends in the rational designing of single atom catalysts for electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction to CO—a mini review

| 2025, 35(2) | pp.469~479 | number of Cited : 0

Agriculture biomass-derived carbon materials for their application in sustainable energy storage

| 2025, 35(2) | pp.481~513 | number of Cited : 0

Toward High Energy and Durable Anodes: Critical Review on Li4Ti5O12-MXene Composites

| 2025, 35(2) | pp.515~537 | number of Cited : 0

Application of nanotechnology in cementitious materials for enhanced concrete construction through carbon incorporation

| 2025, 35(2) | pp.539~552 | number of Cited : 0

Enhanced concrete construction through carbon incorporation in nanotechnology-enabled cementitious materials can be achieved using biochar. Biochar is a carbon additive, improving concrete’s mechanical strength and durability while reducing porosity and enhancing sustainability. The objective is to leverage the unique properties of biochar, derived from carbon nanotechnology, to improve mechanical strength durability, and reduce porosity in concrete. By integrating biochar, this research aims to develop a more resilient and environmentally friendly construction material, addressing performance and sustainability challenges in modern concrete construction. However, a significant research gap exists in understanding biochar's long-term effects and optimal concentrations in cementitious matrices. This study seeks to fill this gap by systematically investigating the performance enhancements and material properties imparted by biochar in various concrete formulations. The study demonstrated that incorporating carbon-rich biochar into concrete significantly enhances its structural performance and sustainability. The life-cycle assessment (LCA) of biochar-incorporated concrete reveals significant environmental benefits, highlighting its potential for sustainable construction practices. Integrating biochar into concrete enhances the material’s durability and longevity, reducing the need for frequent repairs and replacements, thus conserving resources. The use of biochar supports sustainable waste management by utilizing agricultural and forestry residues, thereby reducing waste and conserving natural resources. Nanotechnology in concrete, through the use of biochar, improves the material’s mechanical properties, creating a denser and more durable matrix that requires less maintenance. These findings underscore the dual benefits of enhancing concrete performance while promoting environmental sustainability, making biochar-incorporated concrete a promising solution for eco-friendly construction. Optimal biochar concentration at 7% by weight improved compressive strength by 20%, reduced freeze–thaw damage by 80%, and decreased chemical degradation by up to 85%. Additionally, biochar reduced concrete porosity and water absorption, creating a denser and more durable matrix. These results highlight the dual benefits of using biochar for carbon sequestration and improving concrete's mechanical properties, supporting its use in sustainable construction practices.

Graphene oxide-enhanced multiscale modeling of PGDLLA/P(lLA-co-ɛ-CL)/PCL interfacial debonding: investigating rheological and mechanical properties, compatibility, and morphology

| 2025, 35(2) | pp.553~573 | number of Cited : 0

Effect of changes in the structure and composition of medium–low-temperature coal tar pitch on the quality of needle coke

| 2025, 35(2) | pp.575~591 | number of Cited : 0

Bromine-doped carbon dot: concentration-dependent multicolor emission, nanozyme activity, and visible-light-induced photodynamic bacterial inactivation

| 2025, 35(2) | pp.593~605 | number of Cited : 0

Concentration-dependent multicolor emission is an unusual yet appealing photoluminescence property of various carbonaceous nanomaterials with interesting potential applications. While carbon dots (CDs) are no exception, the predictability and tuning of the microenvironment of CD to make it suitable for displaying concentration-dependent multicolor emission is far from adequately understood. Through the novel synthesis of bromine-doped CDs (Br-CDs) via controlled hydrothermal pyrolysis, we demonstrate the capacity of the same Br-CD to emit intense red (650 nm) as well as blue fluorescence (410 nm) including intermittent colors as a function of concentration and excitation wavelength. The concentration-dependent morphological transition of the Br-CDs was ascertained using electron microscopy shedding light on their optical evolution in response to concentration changes. The phenomenon is validated as being driven by unique rearrangement and surface functionality modulation, which is essentially linked to the concentration of CD in an ensemble. Notably, the synthesized Br-CDs displayed excellent enzyme-mimicking abilities where oxidase-like activity was assessed using a tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) substrate under visible light (LED, 23W), and peroxidase-like activity was evaluated with TMB and H2O2 over a wide range of pH and temperature. The visible-light-triggered generation of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) by Br-CDs proved to be an effective antibacterial agent demonstrating a significant eradication rate against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. A captivating and unusual photophysical phenomenon is exhibited by Br-CD, showcasing their versatile applications in nanozymes and antibacterial interventions where emission color directly links to the activity eliminating the necessity of multiple titrations to determine concentration/units/dosage.

Optimizing business strategies for carbon energy management in buildings: a machine learning approach in economics and management

| 2025, 35(2) | pp.607~621 | number of Cited : 0

Optimizing business strategies for energy through machine learning involves using predictive analytics for accurate energy demand and price forecasting, enhancing operational efficiency through resource optimization and predictive maintenance, and optimizing renewable energy integration into the energy grid. This approach maximizes production, reduces costs, and ensures stability in energy supply. The novelty of integrating deep reinforcement learning (DRL) in energy management lies in its ability to adapt and optimize operational strategies in real-time, autonomously leveraging advanced machine learning techniques to handle dynamic and complex energy environments. The study’s outcomes demonstrate the effectiveness of DRL in optimizing energy management strategies. Statistical validity tests revealed shallow error values [MAE: 1.056 × 10(−13) and RMSE: 1.253 × 10(−13)], indicating strong predictive accuracy and model robustness. Sensitivity analysis showed that heating and cooling energy consumption variations significantly impact total energy consumption, with predicted changes ranging from 734.66 to 835.46 units. Monte Carlo simulations revealed a mean total energy consumption of 850 units with a standard deviation of 50 units, underscoring the model’s robustness under various stochastic scenarios. Another significant result of the economic impact analysis was the comparison of different operational strategies. The analysis indicated that scenario 1 (high operational costs) and scenario 2 (lower operational costs) both resulted in profits of $70,000, despite differences in operational costs and revenues. However, scenario 3 (optimized strategy) demonstrated superior financial performance with a profit of $78,500. This highlights the importance of strategic operational improvements and suggests that efficiency optimization can significantly enhance profitability. In addition, the DRL-enhanced strategies showed a marked improvement in forecasting and managing demand fluctuations, leading to better resource allocation and reduced energy wastage. Integrating DRL improves operational efficiency and supports long-term financial viability, positioning energy systems for a more sustainable future.

Porous nitrogen-doped carbon nanosheets composite Fe3C synthesized by molten salt-mediated template method as efficient ORR catalyst for zinc-air batteries

| 2025, 35(2) | pp.623~633 | number of Cited : 0

Hierarchical bimetallic nanoparticles embedded nitrogen-doped carbon derived from ZIF-67 composites for efficient electrochemical nitrite sensing

| 2025, 35(2) | pp.635~643 | number of Cited : 0

Fe, N-doped carbon quantum dots from pig blood as peroxymonosulfate activator for photodegradation of ibuprofen

| 2025, 35(2) | pp.645~657 | number of Cited : 0

Structural modulation of graphene–polyimide interfaces below pyrolysis temperature under electrothermal treatment

| 2025, 35(2) | pp.659~674 | number of Cited : 0

Effect of carbon conductor dispersion and composition in dry cathode electrode on LiB performances

| 2025, 35(2) | pp.675~685 | number of Cited : 0

Preparation and thermal conductivity properties of CF/SR composites with high orientation and low interfacial thermal resistance based on the synergistic effect of magnetic field, torsional vibration and Diels-Alder reaction

| 2025, 35(2) | pp.687~698 | number of Cited : 0

Glucose-derived hard carbon/carbon nanotube neural network architectures for enhanced sodium ion storage

| 2025, 35(2) | pp.699~707 | number of Cited : 0

Optimization of mixed agro residue pellets for enhanced fuel quality and economic feasibility

| 2025, 35(2) | pp.709~727 | number of Cited : 0

Fluorinated reed-carbon with three-dimensional porous channels to boost high-rate performance of lithium/fluorinated carbon battery

| 2025, 35(2) | pp.729~736 | number of Cited : 0

The effect of non-polar solvent on the structural properties and electrochemical performance of LiFePO4/C cathode materials synthesized by solid-state reaction

| 2025, 35(2) | pp.737~747 | number of Cited : 0

Comparative study of the carbon structure of chars formed from coal with plastic waste and coal tar pitch additives

| 2025, 35(2) | pp.749~765 | number of Cited : 0

Implications of the edge states for the band structure of armchair graphene nanoribbons

| 2025, 35(2) | pp.767~779 | number of Cited : 0

Advancing building management with nano-enhanced carbon materials: a machine learning-driven business and economic analysis

| 2025, 35(2) | pp.781~802 | number of Cited : 0

Carbon aerogels including graphite and graphene have unique properties such as lightweight, strong, and insulative to roofing applications. Carbon aerogels offer innovative solutions in building management by enhancing thermal and acoustic insulation while reducing structural weight, aligning with the focus on economic and business analysis driven by machine learning. Traditional building materials often fail to meet contemporary energy efficiency and sustainability demands, underscoring the necessity for more advanced solutions. This project is dedicated to integrating carbon aerogels into roofing systems and employs Deep Neural Networks (DNNs) to optimize their performance and integration. The novelty of this study lies in its application of carbon aerogel technology—a cutting-edge, lightweight, and highly insulative material—specifically within roofing to analyze the practical evaluation of carbon aerogels’ thermal properties and economic viability in the construction industry. This study aims to rigorously assess carbon aerogels’ performance and financial impact on roofing applications. By conducting the thermal guard test and economic lifecycle evaluation, the study seeks to validate carbon aerogels’ enhanced energy efficiency and cost-effectiveness compared to traditional roofing materials. The study demonstrates that carbon aerogels offer superior thermal insulation in roofing applications, with a thermal conductivity of 0.02 W/m·K, significantly outperforming traditional materials. Economically, the high initial cost of carbon aerogels is effectively offset by substantial energy savings, estimated at $300 annually per square meter, resulting in a payback period of approximately 1.05 years. These findings are supported by rigorous testing and optimization through DNN, highlighting the material’s potential to enhance energy efficiency and sustainability in building practices.

Vacuum-assisted exfoliation method for large-area, high-quality graphene flakes in nanodevice applications

| 2025, 35(2) | pp.803~812 | number of Cited : 0

Facile microwave hydrothermal synthesis of citric acid-derived carbon dots for photothermal therapy of cancers under NIR irradiation

| 2025, 35(2) | pp.813~823 | number of Cited : 0

This paper is devoted to synthesizing a new type of CDs (carbon dots) with excellent NIR (near-infrared) emission in a biological water environment synthesized from small molecules. Citric acid was adopted as the precursor and treated by one-pot hydrothermal process in DMF solution with the assistance of a microwave. Urea (MH) and ammonium fluoride (MF) were adopted as nitrogen sources to synthesize two types of CDs, respectively. These conditions contributed to generate nanostructured carbon with a higher content of Pyrrolic-N, enrich the functional groups, and exfoliate the ordered layer-stacking structure, which finally contributed to the higher NIR absorption band at 808 nm. The physicochemical properties and photothermal conversion ability were fully evaluated by UV–Vis-NIR (ultraviolet–visible light-NIR) absorption and photothermal experiments. MF possessed stronger absorption property and temperature-rising effect in the NIR region than MH, but both exhibited desirable photothermal stability. Next, the in vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated that both MF and MH exhibited no significant toxicity for cells. NIR irradiation on CDs solution displayed an excellent killing effect on HeLa (breast cancer) and MCF7 (cervical cancer) cells but strongly depended on the concentration of CDs. MH had a weaker killing effect on MCF7 cells compared with MF in the same concentration. But HeLa cells suffered death from lower concentration of MH under NIR irradiation. Both MH and MF exhibited excellent therapy effects and no obvious tissue damage for these major organs of nude mice and BALB/C mice. Above all, both MF and MH with excellent photothermal effect under NIR irradiation had desirable NIR-triggered therapeutic effect on MCF7 and HeLa cells, while they also exhibited good biocompatibility without NIR irradiation.

Enhanced porosity in marine biomass-derived activated carbon via two-step CO2 activation and acidic decontamination

| 2025, 35(2) | pp.825~837 | number of Cited : 0

The detection of toxic gases (CO, FN3, HI, N2, CH4, N2O, and O3) using a wearable Kapton–graphene biosensor for environmental and biomedical applications

| 2025, 35(2) | pp.839~848 | number of Cited : 0

Iodine-free carbon cathodes for aqueous zinc–iodine batteries with supercapacitor-level rate performance

| 2025, 35(2) | pp.849~860 | number of Cited : 0

Optimizing microalgal biomass conversion into carbon materials and their application in water treatment: a machine learning approach

| 2025, 35(2) | pp.861~880 | number of Cited : 0

Facile fabrication of CdS@GO binary nanocomposite coated GCE for separate and parallel electrochemical sensing of ascorbic acid, uric acid and nitrite

| 2025, 35(2) | pp.881~893 | number of Cited : 0

Fluorometric sensing probe using carbon quantum dots for selective detection of doxycycline antibiotic

| 2025, 35(2) | pp.895~905 | number of Cited : 0