Lithium-ion batteries and prospects for using biomass-derived carbon as electrode material - Overview

Abstract

High-power, high-energy-density electrochemical storage devices are essential for reducing fossil fuel dependence and enabling efficient renewable energy storage. Among various electrode materials, carbon remains a strong candidate due to its abundance, electrical conductivity, and tunable physicochemical properties. Biomass offers a renewable, low-cost, and sustainable route for producing carbon materials, drawing increasing attention for both environmental and energy applications. This review explores recent advancements in converting biomass into functional carbon for use as electrode materials in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), particularly for electric vehicle (EV) applications. It summarizes diverse biomass sources, processing techniques, and structure property relationships, while addressing key challenges in scaling, performance optimization, and raw material sustainability. The transition from laboratory research to industrial application is discussed, including the potential of biomass carbon to reduce dependence on critical minerals. Finally, the review highlights emerging trends, integration with advanced battery technologies, and future perspectives for sustainable LIB development in EVs.