Kraft Lignin as Electrode Material for Sustainable Electrochemical Energy Storage

Abstract

Electrochemical energy storage using lignin as a renewable electrode material is a cheap and sustainable approach for future organic batteries. Previous reports mainly focus on lignosulfonates (LS) or composites with conductive polymer additives with inherent problems, such as still expensive monomers. Here, composite electrodes are used from more available Kraft lignin and sustainable conductive carbon. Charge storage is evaluated in terms of electrical double layer storage and redox reactions, aiming at a better understanding of desired lignin properties for electrochemical energy storage. Using unmodified, commercial lignin and high surface area conductive carbon, reasonable capacity of ≈80 mAh g−1 is achieved in samples in which a thin layer of lignin covers the interface of high surface area carbon. Non‐faradaic contribution to charge storage is as large as in comparable pure carbon electrodes, and redox reactions in lignin contribute to additional, faradaic charge storage, significantly enhancing capacity in these systems. Resulting electrodes are cheap, reliable, and stable.

Enhancing Energy Storage Devices with Biomacromolecules in Hybrid Electrodes

“…[92,93] In recent years, the research related to the use of various lignins for the development of energy storage devices has vastly increased. [94][95][96][97][98][99][100] The report from Milczarek on redox of alkaline kraft lignin adsorbed on a polycrystalline gold electrode revealed that the electroactive quinone functionalities can undergo reversible proton-coupled two-electron showing high catalytic activity toward the electrooxidation of ascorbic acid. [25] He also observed that electropoly-merized lignosulfonate from an acidic electrolyte on to a glassy carbon electrode exhibited high redox activity, which could be practically applied to the electrocatalytic reduction of acidic nitrite.…”

Cellulose‐Templated, Dual‐Carbonized Na3V2(PO4)3 for Energy Storage with High Rate Capability

“…The similarities in the underlying electrochemical mechanisms between Na‐ion and Li‐ion batteries have driven intensive studies on the development of appropriate Na‐ion storage materials . On the other hand, nature‐derived materials such as lignin and polydopamine have been recently applied to sustainable energy storage …”

“…[8] On the other hand, nature-derived materials such as lignin and polydopamine have been recently applied to sustainable energy storage. [9][10][11] Here, we introduce cellulose as a versatile template for the synthesis of carbon-incorporated NASICON-Na 3 V 2 (PO 4 ) 3 (NVP) as a cathode material for high power Na-ion batteries with a superior rate capability. Cellulose is the most abundant organic compound on Earth and has many merits, such as biocompatibility, high mechanical strength, and facile modification to diverse forms from textile-type cellulose paper to nano-sized cellulose crystals.…”

Interplay of Porosity, Wettability, and Redox Activity as Determining Factors for Lithium–Organic Electrochemical Energy Storage Using Biomolecules

“…[3] Since then, many endeavorst oi mprove lignin-based cathodes have been undertaken. [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12] Additionally,c athodes based on polymers from biorefined monomers such as guaiacol and syringol, [13] phenolic acids, [14] and vanillin [15] have been investigated in acidic aqueous electrolytes. Aqueouse lectrolytes are importantf or energy storagei nt hese materials as the established process for the formation of quinones requires the presence of water.…”