In a recently published study, an international team of researchers led by Professor Hoe Joon Kim from Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology, Korea decided to test an idea involving a coconut husk that could open doors to its potential applications in the design of low-power, eco-friendly energy devices.
A Nanowerk report describes coconut husk or CH as a solid biowaste derived from coconut, which is usually used in household products like doormats, among others.
Recent studies have revealed that CH is full of lignocellulose, which can make for energy-related applications of coconut husk.
To this end, a global research team, in a new study, has made use of CH to develop self-powered energy storage and harvesting devices. Obtaining high-energy density, as well as output performance, and opening doors to a circular economy.
Coconut Husk Lessens Energy Use
Essentially, coconut is a valuable source of nutrition because of its high-fat content. In addition, the edible part can be processed into coconut oil or coconut milk, and the liquid inside the fruit known as the coconut water is used for beverages.
Nonetheless, a major part of the coconut, known as the outer shell identified as "coconut husk" cannot be eaten, or is not edible. It also comprises solid waste.
To date, CH has primarily found use in cheap household products like doormats and carpets. Nevertheless, recent research has suggested that CH is full of lignocellulose, a nature bioresource that can lessen energy utilization.
In the recent research published in Sustainable Materials and Technologies, by combining CH powder with a polymer known as the polyvinylidene fluoride or PVDF, a piezoelectric material like the one that can produce electricity from mechanical stress, the researchers managed to fabricate energy storage and harvesting devices through the use of cheap and easily accessible fabrication approaches.
Piezoelectric Nanogenerator Device
Explaining the motivation behind the research, Professor Kim, approximately two million tons of coconut waste are generated all over the world each year. He added, that in their work, they sought to use coconut wastes in the development of eco-friendly energy systems.
The professor also said piezoelectric materials are a famous option in designing energy harvesting devices as well, the can transform low-frequency mechanical vibrations into electricity. However, inorganic piezoelectric materials are frequently poisonous, not to mention, hazardous.
Consequently, biocompatible and naturally available piezoelectric materials are highly alluring. The researchers, a similar EurekAlert! report specified, devised a piezoelectric nanogenerator or PENG, that could reap energy from everyday human activities like walking, breathing, and running.
Next-Generation Eco-Friendly Energy Sources
Essentially, the invention could even convert mechanical vibrations from car vibrations and noises into electricity, yielding adequate output to continuously power tiny electronic devices like a calculator.
Compared to conventional PVDF-based PENGS, the PVDF/CH-based PENG attained 16-fold higher voltage generation and 12-fold higher current generation.
Furthermore, by attaching the PENG to a facemask, the researchers would monitor the breathing patterns of a human in real-time, minus any external power source, and differentiate between normal and abnormal, necessitating medical attention, breathing patterns.
This study finding has then suggested its potential application in consistent patient monitoring, specifically for those infected with COVID-19.
In addition, the researchers developed a PVDF/CH/graphene-based-supercapacitor that attained a maximum energy density substantially higher than graphene/PVDF-based devices.
With such findings, Professor Kim shared excitement about their work's future prospects. With everyone seeking next-generation eco-friendly energy sources, their work could lay the foundation for the use of biowaste in developing green energy sources.
Related information about the benefits of coconut husk is shown in Dr. Harriet Baayeh's YouTube video below:
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