Iron‐Catalyzed Graphitic Carbon Materials from Biomass Resources as Anodes for Lithium‐Ion Batteries

Abstract

Graphitized carbon materials from biomass resources were successfully synthesized with an iron catalyst, and their electrochemical performance as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) was investigated. Peak pyrolysis temperatures between 850 and 2000 °C were covered to study the effect of crystallinity and microstructural parameters on the anodic behavior, with a focus on the first-cycle Coulombic efficiency, reversible specific capacity, and rate performance. In terms of capacity, results at the highest temperatures are comparable to those of commercially used synthetic graphite derived from a petroleum coke precursor at higher temperatures, and up to twice as much as that of uncatalyzed biomass-derived carbons. The opportunity to graphitize low-cost biomass resources at moderate temperatures through this one-step environmentally friendly process, and the positive effects on the specific capacity, make it interesting to develop more sustainable graphite-based anodes for LIBs.

Ultrasmall Iron Fluoride Nanoparticles Embedded in Graphitized Porous Carbon Derived from Fe‐Based Metal Organic Frameworks as High‐Performance Cathode Materials for Li Batteries

“…As the temperature increases to 500 °C, the organic ligand in the MOFs carbonizes into amorphous carbon, releasing H 2 O, CO 2 and CO, while the central Fe atoms are oxidized to Fe 3 O 4 . The Fe 3 O 4 formed at low temperature will be partially reduced to γ‐Fe by CO and C when the temperature rises to 900 °C ,. Then carbon dissolves in γ‐Fe at high temperatures and precipitates on the surface of γ‐Fe particles when temperature drops.…”

“…The Fe 3 O 4 formed at low temperature will be partially reduced to γ-Fe by CO and C when the temperature rises to 900°C. [28,32] Then carbon dissolves in γ-Fe at high temperatures and precipitates on the surface of γ-Fe particles when temperature drops. Therefore, graphitized carbon layers can form under the in situ catalysis of Fe atoms in MIL-53.…”

“…This result confirms that the carbon obtained by carbonizing MIL-53 is highly graphitized. [27][28][29][30][31][32] And for comparison we also sintered MIL-53 at a lower temperature (500°C) and the Raman spectra presenting typical amorphous carbon shape ( Figure S3). The pore size distribution and specific surface area of MIL-53 and GCF were analyzed using Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analyzer.…”

Are lignin-derived carbon fibers graphitic enough?

“…44 The mechanism by which transition metals catalyze the conversion of disordered lignin to graphitic carbon is still under investigation, but there are two emerging theories: (1) dissolution of carbon into nanosized catalyst particles followed by graphitic layering and (2) near-eutectic liquid droplets of metal carbide formation and then decomposition upon high temperature treatment resulting in graphite. 58 As shown in Fig. 13, the degree of graphitization increases with catalyst loading.…”

Sustainable Battery Materials from Biomass

“…From the viewpoint of sustainability, carbon materials derived from waste biomass are especially interesting . In recent years, carbons made from rice husks, corn or wheat straw, coir pith, soy bean residues (from tofu production), pistachio shells, wood chips or fibers, grass, pine pollen, lignin, tannic acid, or shrimp shells, among others, have been introduced as anode materials in lithium‐ or sodium‐based batteries. Similarly, all kinds of biowaste have been carbonized and used as host materials in the cathodes of lithium–sulfur, lithium–selenium, or lithium–oxygen batteries.…”