Functional Carbon-Based Materials and Systems for Energy and Environmental Applications

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

Functional carbon-based materials and systems are at the forefront of sustainable technologies for energy conversion, storage and environmental remediation. This Topic aims to bring together innovative research and critical reviews on the design, synthesis, characterization and performance optimization of advanced carbon materials, such as nanoporous carbons, surface-functionalized carbons and carbon-based hybrids and composites. Emphasis will be given to studies that elucidate structure–property relationships, surface functionalization mechanisms and the integration of carbons into electrochemical, catalytic and adsorption systems. Topics of interest include H₂ production, storage and applications, electrochemical energy storage and conversion, CO₂ capture and utilization, catalytic degradation of pollutants and adsorption-based purification of water and air. Studies addressing the development of scalable synthesis routes, stability and recyclability assessments and the coupling of experimental and computational approaches are highly encouraged. Contributions exploring in situ and operando characterization, multiscale modeling, life-cycle analysis, techno-economic evaluation and system-level integration of carbon-based technologies are also welcome. Collectively, this Topic aims to highlight the central role of functional carbons in achieving a sustainable, low-carbon-footprint and resource-efficient future.

Dr. Nikolaos Kostoglou
Dr. Claus Rebholz
Topic Editors

Keywords

Participating Journals

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
C carbon	2.9	3.4	2015	22.5 Days	CHF 1600	Submit
Catalysts catalysts	4.0	7.6	2011	15.9 Days	CHF 2200	Submit
Energies energies	3.2	7.3	2008	16.8 Days	CHF 2600	Submit
Hydrogen hydrogen	3.0	5.5	2020	17 Days	CHF 1200	Submit
Materials materials	3.2	6.4	2008	15.5 Days	CHF 2600	Submit
Solids solids	2.4	4.5	2020	18.3 Days	CHF 1200	Submit
Sustainability sustainability	3.3	7.7	2009	17.9 Days	CHF 2400	Submit

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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All Energies Materials Sustainability Catalysts C Hydrogen Solids

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Open AccessArticle

Byproduct-Compatible Upcycling of Plastic Pyrolysis Wax into Activated Carbon for Supercapacitor Electrodes

by Tae Hun Kim, Seung Gun Kim, Jongyun Choi, Ji Chul Jung, Jung-Chul An, Patrick Joohyun Kim, Dalsu Choi and Inchan Yang

Solids 2026, 7(2), 21; https://doi.org/10.3390/solids7020021 - 2 Apr 2026

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Abstract

Plastic pyrolysis is widely used to treat polyolefin-rich waste; however, wax byproducts generated during these processes are typically regarded as low-value intermediates. Here, a byproduct-compatible upcycling strategy is proposed to convert polyethylene (PE) pyrolysis wax into activated carbon, enabling integration of functional carbon [...] Read more.

Plastic pyrolysis is widely used to treat polyolefin-rich waste; however, wax byproducts generated during these processes are typically regarded as low-value intermediates. Here, a byproduct-compatible upcycling strategy is proposed to convert polyethylene (PE) pyrolysis wax into activated carbon, enabling integration of functional carbon production into existing recycling value chains. Thermal oxidation was employed to stabilize the wax prior to carbonization, and stabilization at 300 °C yielded a mechanically stable precursor with a high carbon yield. Subsequent carbonization and KOH activation at 900 °C produced an activated carbon (PEWax_AC) with a specific surface area of 1704 m²/g, exceeding that of a representative commercial activated carbon (1575 m²/g). Microstructural analysis revealed predominantly amorphous carbon with locally ordered domains. In symmetric supercapacitor cells, PEWax_AC exhibited higher capacitance at low rates and superior rate capability at high scan rates and current densities, along with reduced charge-transfer resistance. Specifically, PEWax_AC delivered a specific capacitance of 22.9 F/g at 5 mV/s and exhibited a rate retention of 18.6% from 0.1 to 7.0 A/g. These findings demonstrate that plastic pyrolysis wax is a viable and scalable carbon precursor for high-performance supercapacitor electrodes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Functional Carbon-Based Materials and Systems for Energy and Environmental Applications)

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15 pages, 3479 KB  

Open AccessArticle

Recovery of Undamaged Carbon Fabric from Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Epoxy Polymers Through Subcritical Solvolysis Route: Effect of Flame Retardant Presence

by Francesco Branda, Rossella Grappa, Dario De Fazio, Luca Boccarusso, Massimo Durante and Giuseppina Luciani

Solids 2026, 7(2), 17; https://doi.org/10.3390/solids7020017 - 26 Mar 2026

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Abstract

The recycling of carbon fiber-reinforced polymers (CFRPs), particularly carbon fiber-reinforced epoxy polymers (CFREPs), is a challenging problem because of their broad application spectrum, the amount of laminates produced per year, and the cost per kg of the carbon fiber fabric. Recently, several papers [...] Read more.

The recycling of carbon fiber-reinforced polymers (CFRPs), particularly carbon fiber-reinforced epoxy polymers (CFREPs), is a challenging problem because of their broad application spectrum, the amount of laminates produced per year, and the cost per kg of the carbon fiber fabric. Recently, several papers were published on the recycling of CFREPs through solvothermal methods that allow the recovery of the carbon fiber fabrics with a relatively low environmental impact. In the present paper, for the first time, the effect of the presence of flame retardants is discussed. A carbon fiber-reinforced epoxy polymer (CFREP) charged with P-, Zn-, B- and Al-based flame retardants, supplied by the aerospace industry, was subjected to a double-step solvothermal treatment. The epoxy matrix was successfully dissolved in monoethanolammine after a preswelling step in acetic acid. The experimental results show that the proposed process allows the full recovery of the carbon fabric with its original sizing layer without injury to the fiber. As confirmation, CFREP laminates produced with the recycled carbon fiber fabrics exhibited mechanical properties close to that of laminates obtained from the virgin epoxy/carbon prepreg. Contrary to what is reported in the literature, the present paper also shows that, in the studied case, whilst acetic acid treatment promotes swelling, it also causes the formation of a degraded surface layer that would impede complete removal of the polymeric matrix and full recovery of the carbon fabric if only acetic acid was used. On the basis of the known mechanism of flame retardancy of phosphates and borates, the degraded layer formation is attributed to the acidic character of the acetic acid. It is worth pointing out that the paper suggests, therefore, that the presence of flame retardants may strongly affect the solvothermal processes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Functional Carbon-Based Materials and Systems for Energy and Environmental Applications)

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