Linking lignin source with structural and electrochemical properties of lignin-derived carbon materials. Issue 68 (19th November 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Li, Wenqi; Zhang, Yan; Das, Lalitendu; Wang, Yikai; Li, Mi; Wanninayake, Namal; Pu, Yunqiao; Kim, Doo Young; Cheng, Yang-Tse; Ragauskas, Arthur J.; Shi, Jian
• Is Part Of: RSC advances. Volume 8:Issue 68(2018)
• Page Start: 38721
• Page End: 38732
• Publication Date: 2018-11-19
• Subjects: Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540.5
• DOI: 10.1039/c8ra08539k
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2046-2069

Abstract

Abstract : This study demonstrates the effect of lignin source on the structural and electrochemical properties of lignin-derived carbon materials. Abstract : Valorization of lignin to high-value chemicals and products along with biofuel production is generally acknowledged as a technology platform that could significantly improve the economic viability of biorefinery operations. With a growing demand for electrical energy storage materials, lignin-derived activated carbon (AC) materials have received increasing attention in recent years. However, there is an apparent gap in our understanding of the impact of the lignin precursors ( i.e., lignin structure, composition and inter-unit linkages) on the structural and electrochemical properties of the derived ACs. In the present study, lignin-derived ACs were prepared under identical conditions from two different lignin sources: alkaline pretreated poplar and pine. The lignin precursors were characterized using composition analysis, size exclusion chromatography, and 2D HSQC nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Distinctive distributions of numerous micro-, meso- and macro-porous channels were observed in the two lignin-derived ACs. Poplar lignin-derived ACs exhibited a larger BET surface area and total mesopore volume than pine lignin-derived AC, which contributed to a larger electrochemical capacitance over a range of scan rates. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic analysis (XPS) results revealed the presence of oxygen-containing functional groups in all lignin-derived ACs, which participated in redox reactions and thus contributed to an additional pseudo-capacitance. A possible process mechanism was proposed to explain the effects of lignin structure and composition on lignin-derived AC pore structure during thermochemical conversion. This study provides insight into how the lignin composition and structure affect the derived ACs for energy storage applications.