Abstract
Converting waste biomass into biochar is a means for solving both environmental pollution and energy shortage. Here we transformed Eichhornia crassipes, a harmful floating plant, into a honeycomb-shaped and heteroatoms-rich biochar by KOH activation during carbonization, and we tested this biochar as anode for lithium-ion batteries. Results show that the biochar has a high surface area of 278.56 m2·g−1, a honeycomb-like porous structure, and is rich in heteroatoms, e.g., 3.42% N, 20.82% O, and 0.83% S. Biochar anodes displayed a higher initial reversible specific capacity of 697 mAh·g−1 at 50 mA·g−1, a higher rate capability of 229.7 mAh·g−1 at 3000 mA·g−1, and a better cyclic stability than commercial graphite. The enhanced electrochemical performance could be attributed to the interconnected porous structure that promotes Li+ transfer and electrolyte infiltration, and to the presence of heteroatoms. This approach can be easily industrialized as a substitute of graphite.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Akhil D, Lakshmi D et al (2021) Production, characterization, activation and environmental applications of engineered biochar: a review. Environ Chem Lett. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10311-020-01167-7
Cai D, Li D et al (2016) Interconnected α-Fe2O3 nanosheet arrays as high-performance anode materials for lithium-ion batteries. Electrochim Acta 192:407–413. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electacta.2016.02.010
Cai D, Wang C et al (2018) Facile synthesis of N and S co-doped graphene sheets as anode materials for high-performance lithium-ion batteries. J Alloy Compd 731:235–242. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jallcom.2017.10.043
Chen XL, Li F et al (2019) Nanoscale zero-valent iron and chitosan functionalized Eichhornia crassipes Biochar for Efficient Hexavalent Chromium Removal. Int J Environ Res Public Health 16(17):3046. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16173046
Chen L, Li F et al (2018) High cadmium adsorption on nanoscale zero-valent iron coated Eichhornia crassipes biochar. Environ Chem Lett 17(1):589–594. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10311-018-0811-y
Dong Q, Hong B et al (2018) Electron-rich functional do** carbon host as dendrite-free lithium metal anode. Electrochim Acta 284:376–381. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electacta.2018.07.161
Fang R, Chen K et al (2019) The regulating role of Carbon nanotubes and graphene in lithium-ion and lithium-sulfur batteries. Adv Mater 31(9):1800863. https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.201800863
Han FD, Bai YJ et al (2011) Template-free synthesis of interconnected hollow carbon nanospheres for high-performance anode material in lithium-ion batteries. Adv Energy Mater 1(5):798–801. https://doi.org/10.1002/aenm.201100340
Huo S, Liu MQ et al (2018) Methanesulfonic acid-assisted synthesis of N/S co-doped hierarchically porous carbon for high performance supercapacitors. J Power Sour 387:81–90. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2018.03.061
Li X, Xu Y et al (2020) Increasing the heteroatoms do** percentages of graphene by porous engineering for enhanced electrocatalytic activities. J Colloid Interface Sci 577:101–108. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcis.2020.05.089
Li Z, Xu Z et al (2013) Mesoporous nitrogen-rich carbons derived from protein for ultra-high- capacity battery anodes and supercapacitors. Energy Environ Sci 6(3):871. https://doi.org/10.1039/c2ee23599d
Liu WJ, Jiang H, Yu HQ (2019) Emerging applications of biochar-based materials for energy storage and conversion. Energy Environ Sci 12:1751–1779. https://doi.org/10.1039/c9ee00206e
Mahamadi C, Mawere E (2014) High adsorption of dyes by water hyacinth fixed on alginate. Environ Chem Lett 12:313–320. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10311-013-0445-z
Matsuo Y, Taninaka J et al (2018) Effect of oxygen contents in graphene like graphite anodes on their capacity for lithium-ion battery. J Power Sour 396:134–140. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2018.06.022
Singh B, Fang Y, Cowie BCC, Thomsen L (2014) NEXAFS and XPS characterization of carbon functional groups of fresh and aged biochars. Org Geochem 77:1–10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.orggeochem.2014.09.006
Su F, Poh CK et al (2011) Nitrogen-containing microporous carbon nanospheres with improved capacitive properties. Energy Environ Sci 4(3):717–724. https://doi.org/10.1039/c0ee00277a
Tan CW, Tan KH et al (2012) Energy and environmental applications of carbon nanotubes. Environ Chem Lett 10:265–273. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10311-012-0356-4
Tuck CO, Pérea E et al (2012) Valorization of biomass: deriving more value from waste. Sci 337:695–699. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1218930
Wang D, Lee SH, Kim J, Park CB (2020) “Waste to Wealth”: lignin as a renewable building block for energy harvesting/storage and environmental remediation. Chemsuschem 13(11):2807–2827. https://doi.org/10.1002/cssc.202000394
Wang L, Schnepp Z, Titirici MM (2013) Rice husk-derived carbon anodes for lithium-ion batteries. J Mater Chem A 1(17):5269–5273. https://doi.org/10.1039/c3ta10650k
Wei Y, Tao Y et al (2016) Unique electrochemical behavior of heterocyclic selenium–sulfur cathode materials in ether-based electrolytes for rechargeable lithium batteries. Energy Storage Mater 5:171–179. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ensm.2016.07.005
Wu F, Maier J, Yu Y (2020) Guidelines and trends for next-generation rechargeable lithium and lithium-ion batteries. Chem Soc Rev 49(5):1569–1614. https://doi.org/10.1039/c7cs00863e
Yang C, Zhang X et al (2020) Holey graphite: A promising anode material with ultrahigh storage for lithium-ion battery. Electrochim Acta 346:136244. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electacta.2020.136244
Yu W, Wang H et al (2016) N, O-codoped hierarchical porous carbons derived from algae for high-capacity supercapacitors and battery anodes. J Mater Chem A 4(16):5973–5983. https://doi.org/10.1039/c6ta01821a
Acknowledgements
This work was supported by National Key Research and Development Program of China (2016YFC0402600), National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.41001341, 21661008), Water Conservancy Science and Technology Innovation Project of Guangdong Province (2017-21), and Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (2019-17).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding authors
Additional information
Publisher's Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Supplementary Information
Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Chen, X., Li, F., Su, S. et al. Efficient honeycomb–shaped biochar anodes for lithium-ion batteries from Eichhornia crassipes biomass. Environ Chem Lett 19, 3505–3510 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10311-021-01221-y
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10311-021-01221-y