Lignosulfonate for improving electrochemical performance of chitin derived carbon materials as a superior anode for lithium-ion batteries

Lignosulfonate, a by-product spent sulfite pulping liquor from the paper and pulping industry, was a suitable natural sulfur dopant for improving electrochemical performance of chitin derived carbon materials. Herein, a cost-effective method of possible large-scale production was reported to fabricate heteroatoms-doped porous carbon (CLs) as advanced electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries applications. After a simple pyrolysis process of chitin mixed with lignosulfonate, generated CLsequipped with abundant defect structures. Remarkably, although portion of lignosulfonate (1/3 of chitin) was introduced, the specific surface area (SSA) of CLs enhanced to 411.64 m(2)g(-1) (CL800). In addition, its capacitive characteristic improved, effectively, delivering high a reversible specific capacity of up to 644.5 mA h g(-1) at current density of 50 mA g(-1). After 300 cycles at the current density of 100 mA g(-1), it still remained a specific capacity of 350.7 mA g(-1). Such anode material presented excellent electrochemical performance, good rate capability and cycling stability, attributed to containing abundant N and S elements, providing a green avenue for converting biomass waste to high electrochemical performance heteroatoms-doped carbon materials, having promising application in the energy storage field. (C) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

In this study, lignosulfonate was used as a sulfur dopant to fabricate high-performance heteroatoms-doped porous carbon materials for lithium-ion battery electrodes. The carbon materials obtained after simple pyrolysis process exhibited abundant defect structures, high specific surface area, and excellent electrochemical performance.