Carbonization of Corn Leaf Waste for Na-Ion Storage Application Using Water-Soluble Carboxymethyl Cellulose Binder

Abstract

Hard carbon materials are considered to be the most practical anode materials for sodium ion batteries because of the rich availability of their resources and potentially low cost. Here, the conversion of corn leaf biomass, a largely available agricultural waste, into carbonaceous materials for Na-ion storage application is reported. Thermal analysis investigation determines the presence of exothermic events occurring during the thermal treatment of the biomass. Accordingly, various temperatures of 400, 500, and 600 °C are selected to perform carbonization treatment trials, leading to the formation of various biocarbons. The materials obtained are characterized by a combination of methods, including X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, surface evaluation, Raman spectroscopy, and electrochemical characterizations. The Na-ion storage performances of these materials are investigated using water-soluble carboxymethyl cellulose binder, highlighting the influence of the carbonization temperature on the electrochemical performance of biocarbons. Moreover, the influence of post-mechanochemical treatment on the Na-ion storage performance of biocarbons is studied through kinetic evaluations. It is confirmed that reducing the particle sizes and increasing the carbon purity of biocarbons and the formation of gel polymeric networks would improve the Na-ion storage capacity, as well as the pseudocapacitive contribution to the total current. At a high-current density of 500 mA g−1, a specific Na-ion storage capacity of 134 mAh g−1 is recorded on the biocarbon prepared at 600 °C, followed by ball-milling and washing treatment, exhibiting a reduced charge transfer resistance of 49 Ω and an improved Na-ion diffusion coefficient of 4.8 × 10−19 cm2 s−1. This article proposes a simple and effective technique for the preparation of low-cost biocarbons to be used as the anode of Na-ion batteries.

Sustainable Technological Applications of Green Carbon Materials

“…Corn leaf waste was carbonized in a temperature range between 400 and 600 • C (heating period of 5 • C/min with a dwell period of 2 h) to obtain biocarbon [57] (Figure 11). The 600 • C biocarbon was ball-milled for 2 h at 250 rpm, followed by treatment with hydrochloric acid for 30 min at 50 • C (sample C600B).…”

“…The ball-milling and washing treatments generated particles smaller than 20 µm and with fewer impurities. This biocarbon sample was used to assemble electrodes as an anode material for Na-ion batteries, using carboxymethyl cellulose as a binder [57]. The electrochemical performance of the C600B sample was represented by a capacity of 171 mAh g −1 after 10 cycles at 100 mA g −1 ; the Na-ion storage capacity was 134 mAh g −1 after 100 cycles; and the charge-transfer resistance and Na-ion diffusion coefficient were, respectively, 49 Ω and 4.8 × 10 −19 cm 2 s −1 [57].…”

“…This biocarbon sample was used to assemble electrodes as an anode material for Na-ion batteries, using carboxymethyl cellulose as a binder [57]. The electrochemical performance of the C600B sample was represented by a capacity of 171 mAh g −1 after 10 cycles at 100 mA g −1 ; the Na-ion storage capacity was 134 mAh g −1 after 100 cycles; and the charge-transfer resistance and Na-ion diffusion coefficient were, respectively, 49 Ω and 4.8 × 10 −19 cm 2 s −1 [57]. Research in carbon nanoparticles to be used in high-performance rechargeable batteries is increasing due to their supreme conductivity values and excellent mechanical stability [58].…”