Aggrey Patrick, Nartey Martinson, Kan Yuliya, Cvjetinovic Julijana, Andrews Anthony, Salimon Alexey I, Dragnevski Kalin I, Korsunsky Alexander M
Hierarchically Structured Materials, Center for Energy Science and Technology, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology Bolshoy Boulevard 30, bld. 1 Moscow Russia 121205.
Department of Materials Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology Private Mail Box Kumasi Ghana.
RSC Adv. 2021 Sep 28;11(51):31884-31922. doi: 10.1039/d1ra05810j. eCollection 2021 Sep 27.
The present article overviews the current state-of-the-art and future prospects for the use of diatomaceous earth (DE) in the continuously expanding sector of energy science and technology. An eco-friendly direct source of silica and the production of silicon, diatomaceous earth possesses a desirable nano- to micro-structure that offers inherent advantages for optimum performance in existing and new applications in electrochemistry, catalysis, optoelectronics, and biomedical engineering. Silica, silicon and silicon-based materials have proven useful for energy harvesting and storage applications. However, they often encounter setbacks to their commercialization due to the limited capability for the production of materials possessing fascinating microstructures to deliver optimum performance. Despite many current research trends focusing on the means to create the required nano- to micro-structures, the high cost and complex, potentially environmentally harmful chemical synthesis techniques remain a considerable challenge. The present review examines the advances made using diatomaceous earth as a source of silica, silicon-based materials and templates for energy related applications. The main synthesis routes aimed at preserving the highly desirable naturally formed neat nanostructure of diatomaceous earth are assessed in this review that culminates with the discussion of recently developed pathways to achieving the best properties. The trend analysis establishes a clear roadmap for diatomaceous earth as a source material of choice for current and future energy applications.
本文概述了硅藻土（DE）在不断发展的能源科学与技术领域中的当前技术水平和未来前景。硅藻土是一种生态友好型的二氧化硅直接来源以及硅的生产原料，具有理想的纳米至微米结构，在电化学、催化、光电子学和生物医学工程等现有及新应用中表现出优异性能的内在优势。二氧化硅、硅及硅基材料已被证明在能量收集和存储应用中很有用。然而，由于生产具有迷人微观结构以实现最佳性能的材料的能力有限，它们在商业化过程中常常遇到挫折。尽管当前许多研究趋势都集中在创造所需纳米至微米结构的方法上，但高成本以及复杂且可能对环境有害的化学合成技术仍然是一个巨大的挑战。本综述考察了利用硅藻土作为二氧化硅来源、硅基材料以及用于能源相关应用的模板所取得的进展。本综述评估了旨在保留硅藻土高度理想的天然形成的纯净纳米结构的主要合成路线，并最终讨论了最近开发的实现最佳性能的途径。趋势分析为硅藻土作为当前及未来能源应用的首选原料建立了清晰的路线图。
