Work

Fungal-derived functional carbons for secondary batteries: from biomass architectures to electrochemical performance

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: The growing demand for sustainable energy storage has intensified research into biomass-derived carbon materials. Fungal biomaterials provide a versatile carbon source owing to their hierarchical architectures and chitin-rich compositions. This review evaluates fungal sources based on their structural dimensionality, specifically 1D mycelia, 3D sporocarps, and 0D spores. The influence of these specific morphologies on electrochemical performance across battery components is elucidated in this work. Specifically, 1D mycelial structures form interconnected frameworks ideal for conductive anodes and separators. In contrast, 3D sporocarps provide structural integrity and porosity for robust electrodes, while 0D spores serve as templates for ion flux regulation. This approach reframes fungal materials as dimension-governed templates for designing functional carbon materials, establishing a systematic pathway from intrinsic morphology to device-relevant electrochemical performance.

Source: Frontiers in Materials

DOI: 10.3389/fmats.2026.1796209

Authors: Jongyoung Choi, Yurie Jang, Weon Ho Shin, Jong Ho Won

Institutions: Dankook University, Kwangwoon University

Language: English

Topic: Advancements in Battery Materials

Subfield: Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Affordable and clean energy

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,801