LANES

In 2024, the LASER group focused on creating advanced carbon-based nanocomposites for energy applications, employing sophisticated laser techniques. Our work centered on two key areas: electrochemical energy storage and solar water splitting.

For energy storage, we developed hybrid supercapacitor electrodes. These were crafted by crystallizing pseudocapacitive metal oxide nanoparticles onto carbon nanostructures, enhancing capacitance. Laser-based approaches were used for the laser surface processing of films composed of (i) biowaste-derived activated carbon – metal organic precursors and (ii) commercial nanocarbon – metal organic framework (MOF) nanostructures, with the aim to crystallize electroactive nanoparticles on the nanocarbon surface. Both methods yielded electrodes with significantly improved capacitance. We conducted in-depth studies of charge storage mechanisms and worked to optimize electrode performance besides scale up production for industrial use. For the transfer of the results to the industry, we obtained a PRODUCTE (AGAUR) project.

In solar water splitting, we synthesized graphene-based hybrid photocatalysts for hydrogen production. By irradiating aqueous dispersions of graphene oxide and metal precursors, they achieved simultaneous reduction of graphene oxide and decoration with photoactive semiconducting metal oxide nanostructures. This laser-driven process yielded noble-metal-free photocatalysts with interesting hydrogen generation capabilities.

Highlights:

• “Fabrication of asymmetric supercapacitors by laser processing of activated carbon-based electrodes produced from rice husk waste”. Assumpta Chinwe Nwanya, Arevik Musheghyan Avetisyan, Enikö György, Ángel Pérez del Pino. Surfaces and Interfaces 54 (2024) 105200. DOI: 10.1016/j.surfin.2024.105200
• “Microwave post-treated activated carbons for capacitance boosted non-aqueous supercapacitors”. Shima Fasahat, Mohsen Khosravi, Ghasem Dini, Angel Pérez del Pino, Constantin Logofatu. Journal of Alloys and Compounds 984 (2024) 173948. DOI: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2024.173948