Engineering Lignin-Derived Carbon–Silicon Nanocomposite Electrodes: Insight into the Copyrolysis Mechanism and Process–Structure–Property–Performance Relationships

Abstract

As a renewable source, available in a large quantity, it is rewarding to find applications for lignin with high added value. We report the use of lignin in synthesizing a three-dimensional, interconnected carbon/silicon nanoparticle (C/Si NP) composite material as a low-cost replacement to conventional anode materials synthesized using expensive and toxic solvents and binders such as polyvinylidene in today’s lithium-ion battery (LIB) manufacturing process. To understand how lignin pyrolysis chemistry and processing conditions affect the structure, mechanical property, and electrochemical performance of the synthesized electrode materials, the thermochemical conversion process was, for the first time, quantitatively investigated using analytical pyrolysis–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) along with a suite of other analytical tools. Results suggest that the surface bonding interaction of the C/Si NPs was evolved from pristine Si to −Si–O–C–, to −O═Si═O–, with the increase of pyrolysis temperature. The −Si–O–C– bond plays a key role in enhancing the cohesive strength and thus improving the electrochemical performance of the Si composite electrode. The pyrolysis–GC–MS can serve as a useful tool to predict the optimal pyrolysis temperature or tailor the properties of the synthesized composite electrodes by controlling the pyrolysis conditions. This study elucidates the processing–structure–property–performance relationships among lignin pyrolysis chemistry, carbon material structure and properties, and the electrochemical performance of the resulting electrode materials. Such knowledge serves as a basis for designing lignin-derived composite materials for electrochemical energy storage applications.