Highly conductive and porous lignin-derived carbon fibers†

Bio-based carbon fibers derived from lignin have gained significant attention due to their diverse and renewable sources, ease of extraction, and low cost. However, the current limitations of low specific surface area and insufficient electrical conductivity hinder the widespread application of lignin-derived carbon fibers (LCFs). In this work, highly conductive and porous LCFs are developed through melt-blowing, pretreatment, and carbonization processes. The effects of the carbonization temperature and heating rate on the structures and properties of the LCFs are systematically investigated. The resultant LCFs exhibit high electrical conductivity (71 400 S m⁻¹) and a large specific surface area (923 m² g⁻¹). The assembled lithium-ion battery based on the LCF anodes demonstrates a long cycle life of >800 cycles and a high specific capacity of 466 mA h g⁻¹. The findings of this study hold practical significance for promoting the utilization of lignin in the fields of energy storage, adsorption, and beyond.