Lignin/Si Hybrid Carbon Nanofibers towards Highly Efficient Sustainable Li-ion Anode Materials

Abstract

As fossil fuel resources dwindle and new regulations for a cleaner and safer environment come on stream, there is a growing interest in developing new sustainable feedstocks for future applications. Lignocellulosic biomass is the feedstock of choice but remains underutilised and is mostly considered as waste. Therefore, the present study shows the preparation of lignin derived carbon nanofibre (CNFs)/Si hybrid nanostructures to be used as high-performance anodes for Li ion batteries. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) shows the evolution of the morphology after each processing step (electrospinning, stabilization and carbonization) and as a function of the Si content. The electrochemical analysis of the electrodes produced shows promising capacity values. The addition of Si elevated the achievable specific capacity of CNF, with 5, 10 and 15% of Si reaching respective capacity values of and 274, 439, 602 and 921 mAh g -1 . Thus, these results show the enormous potential of lignocelluose waste materials as high-performance energy storage materials.

A general strategy to enhance the electrochemical activity and energy density of energy-storage materials through using sintering aids with redox activity: a case study of Mo4Nb26O77

“…However, the sintering temperatures for the solid-state reaction of the niobates are usually very high (>1000 C), resulting in large-sized (>1 mm) primary niobate particles with low electrochemical activity. [10][11][12][13][14][15][16] Generally, the practical capacity is far smaller than the theoretical one since the Nb 4+ Cite this: J. Mater.…”

“…However, the sintering temperatures for the solid-state reaction of the niobates are usually very high (>1000 °C), resulting in large-sized (>1 μm) primary niobate particles with low electrochemical activity. 10–16 Generally, the practical capacity is far smaller than the theoretical one since the Nb 4+ ↔ Nb 3+ redox reaction is mild in niobate micron-sized particles. For instance, the practical capacity of titanium niobate (TiNb 2 O 7 ) micron-sized particles is 281 mA h g −1 , which is up to 27.6% smaller than the theoretical capacity of TiNb 2 O 7 (388 mA h g −1 ).…”

Preparation and properties investigation of biodegradable poly (glycerol sebacate‐co‐gelatin) containing nanoclay and graphene oxide for soft tissue engineering applications

“…As is well known, biomaterials have attracted increasing attention during the past few decades due to their crucial role in the food industry, 1 wastewater treatment, 2 energy storage devices, 3,4 tissue engineering, 5,6 and regenerative medicine 7–9 . Today, there is a growing interest in recovering biomass residues to produce efficient biomaterials such as lignin, 3,10 cellulose, 11 and protein 12 .…”

“…As is well known, biomaterials have attracted increasing attention during the past few decades due to their crucial role in the food industry, 1 wastewater treatment, 2 energy storage devices, 3,4 tissue engineering, 5,6 and regenerative medicine 7–9 . Today, there is a growing interest in recovering biomass residues to produce efficient biomaterials such as lignin, 3,10 cellulose, 11 and protein 12 . Because of environmental protection goals, much research has been done on developing sustainable biofuels from lignin 10 or employing cellulose‐based materials as a flexible electrode component in wearable sensing or medical devices 4,9,11 .…”

Biological activities and physicochemical characterization of alkaline lignins obtained from branches and leaves of Buchenavia viridiflora with potential pharmaceutical and biomedical applications

“…However, several studies have been carried out to obtain products with high added value using lignin as a raw material. These macromolecules have various applications and can be used as a binding agent [10], fuel [11], carbon fibers and renewable materials [12], fertilizers [13], films [14], sunscreens [15], in addition, it can be used as raw material more sustainable for the construction industry [16] and use of lignin in the field of energy capture as a dopant for carbon-based semiconductors [17,18].…”