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Empirical Optimization of Biomass-Derived Hard Carbon Anode for Efficient Sodium Storage

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Hard carbon is widely recognized as the most promising anode material for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). Hard carbon is a non-graphitizable carbon characterized by a turbostratic structure with disordered stacking of carbon layers, each consisting of a few nanometer-sized graphene layers. It remains difficult to graphitize even at temperatures above 2500°C. This unique structure, combined with its low cost, high electrical conductivity, low working voltage, and high capacity, allows hard carbon to achieve exceptional sodium ion storage performance. These characteristics make it the most commercially viable anode material. Recent research has also actively explored the use of biomass instead of high-cost inorganic materials, to reduce production costs, minimize pollution from biomass incineration, and reduce the significant amounts of biological waste produced annually. This study investigates the performance of hard carbon anodes derived from lignin, with commercial graphite serving as a control. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) were utilized to analyze their crystallographic structures, microstructures, and surface elemental compositions. Electrochemical performance was evaluated using electrolytes consisting of 1M NaPF6 in EC/DEC (1:1 v/v) with 5 wt% FEC and 1M NaPF6 in DEGDME. By comparing the electrochemical characteristics of hard carbon and graphite under different electrolyte conditions, this study demonstrates the potential of hard carbon as a promising anode material for sodium-ion battery applications.

Source: 대한금속재료학회지

DOI: 10.3365/kjmm.2025.63.1.53