Biomass-derived carbon materials (BDCMs) represent a versatile and sustainable solution for a range of energy generation and storage applications, owing to their tunable porosity, high surface area, and excellent electrochemical properties.

The increasing level of atmospheric CO₂ requires the urgent development of effective capture technologies.

The MAX phase represents a diverse class of nanolaminate materials with intriguing properties that have received incredible global research attention because they bridge the divide separating metals and ceramics. Despite the numerous potential applications of MAX phases, their complex structure leads to a scarcity of readily accessible pure MAX phases. As a result, in-depth research on synthesis methods, characteristics, and structure is frequently needed for appropriate application. This review provides a comprehensive understanding of the recent advancements and growth in MAX phases, focusing on their complex crystal structures, unique mechanical, thermal, electrical, crack healing, corrosion-resistant properties, as well as their synthesis methods and applications. The structure of MAX phases including single metal MAX, i-MAX and o-MAX was discussed. Moreover, recent advancements in understanding MAX phase behaviour under extreme conditions and their potential novel applications across various fields, including high-temperature coatings, energy storage, and electrical and thermal conductors, biomedical, nanocomposites, etc. were discussed. Moreover, the synthesis techniques, ranging from bottom-up to top-down methods are scrutinized for their efficacy in tailoring MAX phase properties. Furthermore, the review explores the challenges and opportunities associated with optimizing MAX phase materials for specific applications, such as enhancing their oxidation resistance, tuning their mechanical properties, and exploring their functionality in emerging technologies. Overall, this review aims to provide researchers and engineers with a comprehensive understanding of MAX phase materials and inspire further exploration into their versatile applications in materials science and engineering.

Carbon dioxide (CO₂), a major greenhouse gas, capture has recently become a crucial technological solution to reduce atmospheric emissions from fossil fuel burning. Thereafter, many efforts have been put forwarded to reduce the burden on climate change by capturing and separating CO₂, especially from larger power plants and from the air through the utilization of different technologies (e.g., membrane, absorption, microbial, cryogenic, chemical looping, and so on). Those technologies have often suffered from high operating costs and huge energy consumption. On the right side, physical process, such as adsorption, is a cost-effective process, which has been widely used to adsorb different contaminants, including CO₂. Henceforth, this review covered the overall efficacies of CO₂ adsorption from air at 196 K to 343 K and different pressures by the carbon-based materials (CBMs). Subsequently, we also addressed the associated challenges and future opportunities for CBMs. According to this review, the efficacies of various CBMs for CO₂ adsorption have followed the order of carbon nanomaterials (i.e., graphene, graphene oxides, carbon nanotubes, and their composites) < mesoporous -microporous or hierarchical porous carbons < biochar and activated biochar < activated carbons.

Achieving carbon neutrality and mitigating global warming necessitate a shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. This review explores the pivotal role of polymeric gels in advancing energy conversion and storage technologies, highlighting their potential in reducing CO₂ emissions. Gels exhibit unique properties such as thermal conductivity, mechanical resilience, and catalytic efficiency, making them promising candidates for energy applications like photovoltaic cells, batteries, and electrocatalytic systems. Their flexible structure, large surface areas, and porous nature significantly improve redox reaction efficiency and energy storage capacity. Recent innovations, especially hybrid gels combining conducting polymers and nanoparticles, have enhanced catalytic performance, electrical conductivity, and durability, offering more sustainable energy solutions. This review thoroughly examines the synthesis methods, structural properties, and performance metrics of gel materials, focusing on their applications in fuel cells, batteries, and supercapacitors. It also addresses the mechanisms behind energy conversion facilitated by these materials and discusses challenges related to scalability and long-term durability. By providing a comprehensive overview of recent advancements, this review aims to guide future research and drive technological progress in the field of sustainable energy, positioning gel catalysts as key components in the transition to cleaner, more efficient energy systems.

In this study, magnetite nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄ NPs) were synthesized using Baccaurea ramiflora leaf extracts and characterized by visual observation, UV–Vis, FTIR, XRD, FESEM, and EDS. The UV−Vis spectrum showed continuous absorption at 300–500 nm, confirming the formation of Fe₃O₄ NPs. FTIR revealed that compounds containing the O-H group act as reducing agents during Fe₃O₄ NPs formation. Agglomerated spherical NPs were observed in the FESEM image. The prominent peak at ~6.4 keV in the EDS spectrum ascertained the existence of Fe, while the sharp peak at ~0.53 keV confirmed the presence of elemental oxygen. XRD patterns affirmed the crystalline nature. The size of as-synthesized NPs was observed to be 8.83 nm. The catalytic activity of Fe₃O₄ NPs for the reduction of methylene blue (MB) dye was monitored by UV–Vis. The maximum absorption peak of MB dye at 664 nm was almost diminished within 20 min, which revealed Fe₃O₄ NPs could be an excellent catalyst for wastewater treatment.