Mahendra Mohan

Publications

Journal / Periodical: ChemSusChem
Authors: Mohan, Mahendra Kothottil; Silenko, Oleg; Krasnou, Illia; Volobujeva, Olga; Kulp, Maria; Ošeka, Maksim; Lukk, Tiit; Karpichev, Yevgen
Year: 2024
Journal / Periodical: ACS Omega
Authors: Mohan, Mahendra Kothottil ; Krasnou, Ilia; Lukk, Tiit; Karpichev, Yevgen
Year: 2024

Projects

Year: 2024 - 2025
Estonia's significant mineral resource, peat, is currently mainly extracted and exported as growth substrates for European agriculture. We offer technological solutions to produce high-value materials from by-products/residue of peat production. We are exploring two different experimental chemical valorization directions for peat. Firstly, the production of carbon nanomaterials (carbon nanoparticles, carbon quantum dots CQD), which have a wide range of applications from biomedicine to optics and electronic components. Examples: bioimaging applications, portable sensors, solar panel components etc. The application of CQDs is rapidly developing and new start-up ideas appear often. Secondly, the production of chemically modified biopolymers as high-performance alternatives to petroleum-derived products such as construction panels, packaging containers or conventional adsorbent materials. The resulting products contribute to long-term carbon sequestration, helping to balance the carbon footprint of the peat industry.