FRACTIONATION AND UPGRADE OF ENDOCARP LIGNIN TO CARBON- SILICON NANOCOMPOSITES AS AN ANODE MATERIAL IN LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES

A holistic use of lignocellulosic biomass by converting lignin to high-value products and cellulose and hemicelluloses to biofuel will greatly enhance the economic viability of a biorefinery. In this study, a three-dimensional, interconnected carbon/silicon composite was synthesized from silicon nanoparticles (Si NPs) with either deep eutectic solvent (DES) or alkaline pretreatment-extracted lignin from endocarp biomass. The endocarp lignin derived composite electrodes exhibited superior electrochemical performance in a half-coin cell lithium-ion battery setup. DES lignin derived C/Si NPs composite reached a discharging capacity of 1563 mAh g(-1); while alkaline lignin derived C/Si NPs composite reaching a discharging capacity of 1605 mAh g(-1) at a current density of 0.72 A g(-1). Despite the comparable electrochemical performance, DES pretreatment led to a higher overall sugar yield from the liquid streams after pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis. This study demonstrates the utilization of endocarp lignin in electrochemical energy storage applications.

Automated summary

The holistic utilization of lignocellulosic biomass by converting lignin to high-value products and cellulose and hemicelluloses to biofuel enhances the economic viability of a biorefinery. This study demonstrates the synthesis of a three-dimensional carbon/silicon composite from silicon nanoparticles and lignin from endocarp biomass obtained through different pretreatment methods. The composite electrodes derived from endocarp lignin exhibit superior electrochemical performance in a lithium-ion battery setup.