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Bio‐derived Carbon Nanofibres from Lignin as High‐Performance Li‐Ion Anode Materials
Author(s) -
Culebras Mario,
Geaney Hugh,
Beaucamp Anne,
Upadhyaya Prathviraj,
Dalton Eric,
Ryan Kevin M.,
Collins Maurice N.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
chemsuschem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.412
H-Index - 157
eISSN - 1864-564X
pISSN - 1864-5631
DOI - 10.1002/cssc.201901562
Subject(s) - materials science , lignin , polylactic acid , miscibility , porosity , electrospinning , chemical engineering , biopolymer , anode , elastomer , thermoplastic polyurethane , polymer , pulp (tooth) , carbon fibers , cellulose , thermoplastic elastomer , composite material , organic chemistry , electrode , chemistry , copolymer , composite number , engineering , medicine , pathology
Development of cost‐effective and increasingly efficient sustainable materials for energy‐storage devices, such Li‐ion batteries, is of crucial future importance. Herein, the preparation of carbon nanofibres from biopolymer blends of lignin (byproduct from the paper and pulp industry) and polylactic acid (PLA) or a thermoplastic elastomeric polyurethane (TPU) is described. SEM analysis shows the evolving microstructural morphology after each processing step (electrospinning, stabilisation and carbonisation). Importantly, it is possible to tailor the nanofibre porosity by utilising miscibility/immiscibility rules between lignin and the polymer additive (PLA/TPU). PLA blends (immiscible) generate porous structures whereas miscible lignin/TPU blends are solid when carbonised. Electrodes produced from 50 % PLA blends have capacity values of 611 mAh g −1 after 500 charge/discharge cycles, the highest reported to date for sustainable electrodes for Li‐ion batteries. Thus, this work will promote the development of lignocellulose waste materials as high‐performance energy‐storage materials.