Key Takeaways & Executive Findings
- •• Biomass-derived carbons (BDCs) are low-cost, renewable, and abundant, making them promising anode materials for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). • Various synthesis methods, including carbonization, chemical activation, and template methods, enable the production of BDCs with tailored microstructures for enhanced sodium storage. • The sodium storage mechanism in BDCs involves adsorption, intercalation, and filling, which can be optimized through pore, defect, and crystallite engineering. • BDCs exhibit excellent electrochemical performance, including high capacity, rate capability, and cycling stability, positioning them as viable alternatives to traditional graphite anodes in SIBs.
Abstract
Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) have emerged as a promising alternative to commercial lithium-ion batteries because of the similar properties of Li and Na as well as the abundance and accessibility of sodium resources. The development of anode materials with a high capacity, excellent rate performance, and long cycle life is the key to the industrialization of SIBs. Biomass-derived carbon (BDC) anode materials synthesized from resource-rich, low-cost, and renewable biomass have been extensively researched and their excellent sodium storage performance has been proven, making them the most promising new low-cost and high-performance anode material for SIBs. This review first introduces the sources of BDCs, including waste biomass such as plants, animals, and microorganisms, and then describes several methods for preparing BDC anode materials, including carbonization, chemical activation, and template methods. The storage mechanism and kinetic process of Na+ in BDCs are then considered as well as their structure control. The electrochemical properties of sodium-ion storage in BDCs with different structures are examined, and suggestions for future research are made.
1. Introduction
The depletion of fossil fuels and their environmental impact has become a major constraint on the global economy and modern industry, and the development of clean, non-polluting renewable energy sources is an effective solution to energy and environmental problems[1–2]. However, the widespread use of renewable energy exposes issues such as intermittency and instability, so it is particularly crucial to research safe and reliable new energy storage systems and devices[3–4]. In recent years, lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), a new type of energy storage device, have been widely used in 3C electronic products (communications, computers, and consumer), electric vehicles, and smart grids due to their unique advantages such as high capacity, long life, flexibility, and lightweight design[5–7]. Furthermore, due to geographical factors, lithium resources are unevenly distributed worldwide, increasing the cost of lithium-ion battery production[8–9]. Therefore, to promote the diversification of the energy storage market, it is imperative to find a new and reliable energy storage device.
To address these issues, researchers have focused their attention on the development of low-cost, high-capacity, high-rate performance and long-cycle sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). Sodium is located in the same main group as lithium on the periodic table and shares similar physical and chemical properties. It has a concentration of 2.75% compared to 0.0065% for lithium. Additionally, sodium has a low development cost, meanwhile, SIBs offer several advantages, including high safety, no over-discharge, good interfacial reaction kinetics, and excellent performance at both high and low temperatures. Moreover, d...
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SUN Mei-ci, QI Shuo-lin, ZHAO Yun-he, CHEN Chun-xia, TAN Li-chao, HU Zhong-li, WU Xiao-liang, ZHANG Wen-li (2025). Advances in the use of biomass-derived carbons for sodium-ion batteries. SinoTechIntel Verified Research. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1872-5805(NCM2025-40-01-01)
Research & Educational Purpose Only:The translations, structured abstracts, analytical annotations, and data reports provided by SinoTechIntel are intended exclusively for academic research, internal corporate R&D, and educational benchmarking. They do not constitute formal engineering, chemical safety, legal, or professional advice.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are biomass-derived carbons (BDCs) and why are they important for sodium-ion batteries?
Biomass-derived carbons are carbon materials synthesized from renewable biomass sources such as plants, animals, and microorganisms. They are important for sodium-ion batteries because they are low-cost, abundant, and exhibit excellent sodium storage performance, making them promising anode materials for next-generation energy storage.
What are the main methods for preparing biomass-derived carbon anode materials?
The main methods include carbonization, chemical activation, and template methods. These techniques allow for the control of pore structure, surface chemistry, and crystallinity, which are crucial for optimizing sodium storage performance.
How does sodium storage occur in biomass-derived carbons?
Sodium storage in BDCs occurs through multiple mechanisms, including adsorption on the surface, intercalation between graphene layers, and filling of nanopores. The relative contribution of each mechanism depends on the microstructure of the carbon, which can be engineered to enhance capacity and rate capability.
What are the key advantages of using biomass-derived carbons over traditional graphite anodes?
Biomass-derived carbons offer several advantages over graphite, including lower cost, sustainability, and the ability to achieve higher sodium storage capacities. They also exhibit better rate performance and cycling stability due to their disordered structure and abundant active sites.
What future research directions are suggested for biomass-derived carbon anodes in sodium-ion batteries?
Future research should focus on optimizing the microstructure of BDCs through advanced engineering techniques, exploring new biomass sources, and developing scalable synthesis methods. Additionally, understanding the fundamental sodium storage mechanisms and improving the initial Coulombic efficiency are critical for practical applications.
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