Carbonaceous Materials: The Beauty of Simplicity

Abstract

The current mandates of a sustainable society and circular economy lead to the request that materials chemistry, but also chemistry as such, has to become significantly redesigned. Changes include commonplaces as the glassware we use, the minimization of wastes and side products or replacement strategies in the materials choice, among others. In this context, “carbons” are very versatile and already have found their place in a myriad of applications for a “carbon-neutral” society. They already take key enabling positions for sensors and biomaterials preparation, as energy conversion and storage electrode, or as effluent remediation sorbents. Herein, we describe how carbon chemistry can be again re-designed to outperform benchmark materials in a number of fields, especially in energy storage, (electro)catalysis, as sorbent, but also in a new chemistry of the confined state.