Sustainable Carbon-Based Catalyst Materials Derived From Lignocellulosic Biomass for Energy Storage and Conversion: Atomic Modulation and Properties Improvement

Abstract

Carbon electrocatalyst materials based on lignocellulosic biomass with multi-components, various dimensions, high carbon content, and hierarchical morphology structures have gained great popularity in electrocatalytic applications recently. Due to the catalytic deficiency of neutral carbon atoms, the usage of single lignocellulosic-based carbon materials in electrocatalysis involving energy storage and conversion presents unsatisfactory applicability. However, atomic-level modulation of lignocellulose-based carbon materials can optimize the electronic structures, charge separation, transfer processes, and so forth, which results in substantially enhanced electrocatalytic performance of carbon-based catalysts. This paper reviews the recent advances in the rational design of lignocellulosic-based carbon materials as electrocatalysts from an atomic-level perspective, such as self/external heteroatom doping and metal modification. Then, through systematic discussion of the design principles and reaction mechanisms of the catalysts, the applications of the prepared lignocellulosic-based catalysts in rechargeable batteries and electrocatalysis are reviewed. Finally, the challenges in improving the catalytic performance of lignocellulosic-based carbon materials as electrocatalysts and the prospects in diverse applications are reviewed. This review contributes to the synthesis strategy of lignocellulose-based carbon electrocatalysts via atomic-level modulation, which in turn promotes the lignocellulose valorization for energy storage and conversion.