Recent advances in biomass-derived single metal-doped nanostructured carbon materials for electrocatalysts and electrodes for high performance of rechargeable lithium-air batteries

The quest for efficient and sustainable energy storage technology has driven extensive research on rechargeable lithium-air batteries. These batteries possess a high theoretical energy density and thus present a promising option for next-generation energy storage systems. However, their realization is impeded by drawbacks that include low reaction kinetics and high overpotential upon charging and discharging. Recent developments of single metal-doped nanostructured carbon materials derived from biomass have exhibited tremendous potential to tackle these challenges. These materials, developed from renewable biomass resources, possess unique properties including high surface area, adjustable porosity, and improved electrical conductivity. Single metal dopants integrated into the carbon matrix enhance electrocatalytic activity, stability, and overall battery performance. Hence, this review discusses the development of biomass-derived single metal-doped nanostructured carbon materials for rechargeable lithium-air batteries, focusing on their synthesis pathway, structure, morphology, and chemical composition. It highlights their potential to improve efficiency, stability, cyclability, durability, cost, and overall electrochemical performance. It also highlights the potential of biomass carbon in addressing energy storage and environmental issues, paving the way for more efficient and eco-friendly rechargeable batteries. Finally, the review concludes by exploring the advantages, challenges, and future directions, emphasizing the need for further research to optimize the synthesis processes and fully understand the structure-activity relationships of these materials for electrocatalytic applications.