.The global energy crisis is one of the biggest problems facing the world today. Dependence on fossil fuels such as oil, gas, and coal has contributed to serious environmental problems, one of which is global warming. The transition to clean energy is one solution that must be implemented immediately. However, several challenges must be addressed in implementing clean energy, including limited energy storage technology, high costs, and inadequate infrastructure. Nanochemistry plays a crucial role in addressing these challenges.

This was conveyed by Professor of Nanochemistry at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Yogyakarta State University (FMIPA UNY), Prof. Dr. Dyah Purwaningsih, M.Sc., in her inaugural address as Professor on Monday, December 30, 2024, in the Main Meeting Room of the Yogyakarta State University Rectorate. In her inaugural speech, entitled "Development of Nanochemistry-Based Advanced Materials: Challenges and Opportunities in Achieving Clean and Affordable Energy," Dyah explained that nanochemistry plays a crucial role in addressing the challenges and issues of clean energy implementation. By engineering materials to nanoscale sizes, unique material properties are achieved, including large contact surface areas, high chemical reactivity, and tunable optical properties.

These unique properties enable nano-based materials to increase energy storage capacity, energy efficiency, and battery cycle stability. She further explained that her research focuses on developing cathode materials for biomass-based lithium batteries and supercapacitors. The addition of transition metal doping and modification of particle morphology helps accelerate ion and electron transport, increase specific capacity, and extend battery life. Controlling material structure down to the nanoscale allows for improved lithium battery performance.

"Nanoscale size is crucial for increasing conductivity and ion transfer efficiency in batteries," she explained. Furthermore, biomass waste can be used as electrode material for supercapacitors. For example, corncob waste, rich in cellulose and low in ash, offers significant potential for processing into high-quality activated carbon. Corncob activated carbon possesses mesoporous and microporous structures that support high electrochemical performance. Activated carbon also has a large surface area and good electrical conductivity, making it suitable for use as a supercapacitor electrode material. He added, "The advantages of activated carbon as a supercapacitor electrode include high energy density, efficiency, long cycle stability, short charging time, and environmental friendliness." Prof. Dr. Dyah Purwaningsih, M.Sc., is the 11th active professor in the Chemistry Study Program and the 12th active professor in the Department of Chemistry Education, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Yogyakarta State University.