Lignin-Derived Carbons for Electrochemical and Catalytic Applications

Date:26 Oct 2022

Country: China

Application

• Catalysis: These materials serve as catalysts in thermocatalytic, photocatalytic, and electrochemical applications due to their stability and high surface area.
• Energy Storage: Lignin-derived carbons are used in lithium-ion batteries, sodium-ion batteries, and supercapacitors for efficient energy storage.

Description

This project explores the potential of lignin-derived carbons for electrochemical and catalytic applications. Lignin, an abundant natural material, is converted into porous carbons, composites, and heteroatom-doped carbons, which are used in lithium-ion batteries, supercapacitors, and catalysis. The research highlights the sustainable, cost-effective benefits of lignin as a carbon precursor. Future work focuses on improving activation technologies and exploring the structure-performance relationship for enhanced applications.

 

 

Pathway Description:

The process used in this project involves converting lignin into carbon materials through carbonization, which results in high surface area, stable physiochemical properties, and good electrical conductivity. These lignin-derived carbons are then tailored by adjusting their microstructure, porosity, and doping with heteroatoms to optimize them for electrochemical applications. Techniques like bacterial activation are employed for green synthesis. The final carbon materials are tested for use in energy storage systems and catalysis.