Syntheses mechanisms and characteristics of biomass-based carbonaceous materials for sustainable energy storage enhancement

Technology has taken a strategic role in the livelihoods of many due to advancing ways of life, such as small-device-controlled gadgets, access points and home appliances. This requires a reliable energy supply and a sustainable energy storage in order to function. Energy storage devices have become the newest technology in the spotlight due to the demand for small, reliable and long-life electronic gadgets. Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), when used as storage devices, have never performed to expectation; thus, they leave room for improvement. Manipulating one or two of the components of LIBs could result in improved storage capabilities. Most LIBs use graphite as their anode material with properties somehow lacking due to lower conductivity, side reactions, wear and tear, and oxidising at high temperatures. This study compares various biomass feedstocks for potential application in lithium-ion batteries for energy storage enhancement. Biomass feedstocks are processed through pyrolysis, and the resulting product is analysed for graphite-like properties. Very high temperatures are used, and the obtained products are then activated using KOH for high levels of graphitisation. SEM, XRD, and FTIR results suggest a very rich area of study that is open to be explored, with improved structural properties observed. Physical observations indicate indistinguishable characteristics and potentially superior properties with plant-based biomass feedstocks. Mass differences indicate that a large amount of feedstock is required; eventually, the pollution satisfying set from the sustainable development goals is reduced. As graphite is insoluble in water and other liquids such as ethanol, the obtained materials have same property.