Sugarcane bagasse-derived activated Carbon/LiFePO4 composite nanostructures for lithium-ion battery applications

A composite nanostructure of sugarcane bagasse-derived activated carbon/lithium iron phosphate (SBAC/LiFePO₄) was fabricated using the sol-gel method for potential application in lithium-ion batteries. Sugarcane bagasse (SB) was selected as the raw material for activated carbon to mitigate environmental pollution caused by its burning, a practice facing growing public opposition. All prepared samples showed an orthorhombic structure with a Fe²⁺ oxidation state. The sample carbonized at 800 °C showed a maximum specific capacity of 123 mAh·g⁻¹ (∼72 % of the theoretical specific capacity) with a capacity retention of 80 %. The lowest capacity loss (20 %) after 100 cycles indicates its excellent cycling stability. The superior electrochemical performance is attributed to its high crystallinity percentage, larger particle and crystalline sizes, lower I_D/I_G, and increased surface area. The high electrochemical performance and low cost of this composite material suggest its suitability for use in lithium-ion batteries.