Lithium-ion battery anodes are produced in a resource-intensive and polluting manner. This review focuses on biomass-derived graphitic anode materials for lithium-ion batteries that are advancing through innovation in thermochemical catalysis. Future research should focus more on electrochemical performance and less on the structural characteristics of the carbon materials.

Abstract

The demand for electrochemical energy storage is increasing rapidly due to a combination of decreasing costs in renewable electricity, governmental policies promoting electrification, and a desire by the public to decrease CO₂ emissions. Lithium-ion batteries are the leading form of electrochemical energy storage for electric vehicles and the electrical grid. Lithium-ion cell anodes are mostly made of graphite, which is derived from geographically constrained, non-renewable resources using energy-intensive and highly polluting processes. Thus, there is a desire to innovate technologies that utilize abundant, affordable, and renewable carbonaceous materials for the sustainable production of graphite anodes under relatively mild process conditions. This review highlights novel attempts to realize the aforementioned benefits through innovative technologies that convert biocarbon resources, including lignocellulose, into high quality graphite for use in lithium-ion anodes.

The Cover Feature shows bioplastic products generated from chitosan, a material derived from crustaceans, such as crabs. By exploring different green additives, such as glycerol and citric acid, chitosan-based ′plastic′ films were generated. The additives could be grouped by their uptake behavior, namely linear, non-linear, or crosslinking. Lower amounts of additives are deemed most practical, balancing the property enhancement with mechanical stability of the bioplastic films. Using spectroscopy, microscopy and chromatography, we show that the addition of these green additives enables the creation of a diverse range of chitosan-based plastic alternatives, offering alternatives to conventional plastics, ranging from soft flexible materials (e.g., cling film, and medical supplies) to hard, stiff plastics (e.g., bottles, and toys).More information can be found in the Research Article by K. B. Schnabl et al.

The Front Cover highlights the deep eutectic solvent (DES)-optimized preparation through hydrogen bond acceptor and donor interactions between various molecules of pharmaceutical interest for personalized medicine. Indeed, the choice of the DES chemical components is influenced not only by their intrinsic properties but also by their intended therapeutic use after the components’ association. In the Review article, more insights regarding the different approaches to conveniently selecting the constituents of DESs, from physico-chemical concerns to engineered therapeutic eco-friendly materials, are raised. More information can be found in the Review by F. Oyoun et al.