About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
MS&T26: Materials Science & Technology
|
| Symposium
|
Energy Materials for Sustainable Development
|
| Presentation Title |
Process-Optimized Hydrochar: Sustainable Cathodes for High-Performance Zinc-Ion Batteries |
| Author(s) |
Varsha Joseph Ariyamparambil |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Varsha Joseph Ariyamparambil |
| Abstract Scope |
Biomass valorization is critical to the EU’s circular economy, and hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) provides an energy-efficient method to transform wet biomass into functional hydrochars. Operating at mild temperatures (190–260 °C), HTC avoids the energy intensity of traditional pyrolysis. Although hydrochars possess limited conductivity, their abundant oxygen functional groups enhance surface redox activity, making them excellent candidates for aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs).
This study optimizes HTC parameters to synthesize lignosulfonate-derived hydrochars. Material produced at 230 °C for 48 hours using slow-drying protocols demonstrated superior electrochemical performance. To improve conductivity, we developed composite blends; a 60 wt% hydrochar/40 wt% activated carbon electrode successfully matched pure activated carbon performance while maximizing renewable carbon content. These findings establish HTC as a scalable, sustainable pathway for battery-grade electrodes, providing essential mechanistic insights to support Europe’s transition toward circular, cost-effective energy storage solutions. |