Sustainable Biomass-Derived Carbon Electrodes for Potassium and Aluminum Batteries: Conceptualizing the Key Parameters for Improved Performance

Abstract

The development of sustainable, safe, low-cost, high energy and density power-density energy storage devices is most needed to electrify our modern needs to reach a carbon-neutral society by ~2050. Batteries are the backbones of future sustainable energy sources for both stationary off-grid and mobile plug-in electric vehicle applications. Biomass-derived carbon materials are extensively researched as efficient and sustainable electrode/anode candidates for lithium/ sodium-ion chemistries due to their well-developed tailored textures (closed pores and defects) and large microcrystalline interlayer spacing and therefore opens-up their potential applications in sustainable potassium and aluminum batteries. The main purpose of this perspective is to brief the use of biomass residues for the preparation of carbon electrodes for potassium and aluminum batteries annexed to the biomass-derived carbon physicochemical structures and their aligned electrochemical properties. In addition, we presented an outlook as well as some challenges faced in this promising area of research. We believe that this review enlightens the readers with useful insights and a reasonable understanding of issues and challenges faced in the preparation, physicochemical properties and application of biomass-derived carbon materials as anodes and cathode candidates for potassium and aluminum batteries, respectively. In addition, this review can further help material scientists to seek out novel electrode materials from different types of biomasses, which opens up new avenues in the fabrication/development of next-generation sustainable and high-energy density batteries.

Towards greener batteries: sustainable components and materials for next-generation batteries

“…The literature shows that employing porous materials with high SSA increases the contact area between electrolyte-electrode to shorten the ion diffusion distance and enhance the capacitive behaviour, which decisively boosts the rate performance and increases the cycling stability of the KIBs. 78,79 Moreover, porous anodes, due to the high surface area, not only provide abundant potassium storage sites but also accommodate the volume expansion of the anodes, showing improved structural stability. Wu et al, 79 studied the effects of lignin structure (molecular weight's role) and preparation method on anode per-formance on storing K-ion.…”

“…[31][32][33][34][35][36] Considering this statement, biomassbased carbon anodes have presented themselves as suitable options for batteries due to their easier preparation processes, more sustainable approaches, low CO 2 footprint, and nontoxicity. 34,[37][38][39][40][41] One advantage is that biomass can be easily turned into carbon materials via thermochemical processes, with suitable physicochemical features (required for battery anode application) under much lower energy consumption and costs, which makes their use a greener approach. 42 Besides, biomass-based anode materials have been showing excellent electrochemical performances when tested in battery technologies, better than graphite-based anodes.…”

“…Dos Reis et al, reported the employment of an easy fabrication of biomass carbon anodes using spruce bark as the precursor. 41 Two carbon anodes were prepared using different chemical activation with ZnCl 2 (Biochar-1) and KOH (Biochar-2) (see Fig. 2).…”

Review—Sustainable Biomass-Derived Carbon Materials for Energy Storage Applications

“…However, it's worth noting that Al and K batteries are still in the experimental stages, and there are still technical challenges to overcome before they can become commercially viable alternatives to Li-ion batteries. 46 In this context, Table III provides details of biomasses for different battery applications. These works have shown commendable results.…”

Exploring nature-behaviour relationship of carbon black materials for potassium-ion battery electrodes

“…Among the main materials platforms explored in recent years, MXene [26] , one-dimensional nanostructures [27] , metalorganic frameworks [28] , organic compounds [29] , layered metal oxides [30] , alloys [31] , and carbon-based systems [32] emerged. As regards the latter category, it represents the most studied platform, and recent review articles focused on hard carbons [33] , biomass-derived systems [34] , nanotubes [35] , optimisation strategies [36] , stability [37] , modelling [38] , and flexible electrodes [39] have been published. Also, in-depth studies on potassium-enriched or expanded graphite [40,41] , specific electrolyte formulations [42] , and potassium encapsulation within carbon nanostructures [43] have been published.…”