Laser-induced carbonization technology towards biomass-derived carbon materials: mechanism, preparation and application

Abstract

Biomass is considered as a desirable carbon source due to its abundance, low cost, environmental friendliness and sustainability. The traditional preparation methods of biomass-derived carbon materials, typically in-furnace pyrolysis, involve tedious and energy-consuming processes and require harsh operation conditions. In contrast, laser-induced carbonization is a facile, environmentally friendly and high-efficiency technique that can create an instantaneous thermal shock process for the rapid conversion of biomass into carbon, enabling it to more easily possess unique active sites that play powerful roles in energy storage and conversion applications. Besides, the microstructure and composition of laser-induced biomass-derived carbon materials (LIBCs) can be precisely regulated by adjusting precursor types and laser processing parameters. In this review, the current developments on LIBCs are elaborated. The laser-induced carbonization mechanism is first introduced, and the effects of laser parameters including laser power, scanning speed, laser spot defocus, and atmosphere on the carbonization process are discussed. A special focus is put on the functionalization treatment of LIBCs, including the doping of heteroatoms as well as the incorporation of metals or metal compounds. The applications of LIBCs in the fields of micro-supercapacitors, batteries, electrocatalysis, sensors, and so on are highlighted. Finally, the current challenges and future prospects of LIBCs are discussed.