Ganoderma Lucidum-derived erythrocyte-like sustainable materials

Abstract

The conversion of biomass waste into functional carbon materials is an environmentally friendly solution with diverse applications for a sustainable world. Here, we report an approach to fabricate the Ganoderma Lucidum waste-derived erythrocyte-like N, O self-doped porous biomass carbon (GL800) with a high graphitization degree by a facile carbonization and activation method. The prepared GL800 showed a relatively high specific surface area (2407.5 m2 g−1) and a porous structure like the red blood cell, which affords enough space to accommodate active sites and are easy for electrolytes to infiltrate. Due to the synergistic effect of the rich N, O self-doped elements and porous structures, GL800 shows strong chemical adsorption and physical confinement for polysulfide. Lithium-sulfur batteries using GL800 electrodes exhibited a high discharge capacity of 1367.8 mA g−1 at 0.1C and desirable rate performance. Furthermore, the battery has a capacity retention rate after 300 cycles at 0.5C with high coulombic efficiency (99%). Together with the good biocompatibility and biodegradability of the prepared material, it has a high potential for diverse applications in energy storage, environmental remediation, wearable electronics, biomedicine, and other areas, providing a Nature-derived solution with good sustainability.