Transforming biomass to graphitic carbon: Catalytic mechanisms, structural refinement, and emerging applications
- 1Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut, Kerala, India
- 2Center for Advanced Materials, Qatar University, P O Box 2713, Doha, Qatar
Abstract
Conventional graphite production strategies-both the extraction of natural graphite and graphitization of fossil-derived carbon at temperatures of ∼3000 °C- are highly energy-intensive and contribute to environmental burden. Therefore, graphite production via decarbonization strategies is gaining traction as a means of reducing waste and supporting circular economy principles. Biomass-derived carbon exhibits amorphous or turbostratic nature based on its precursors. Through graphitization at temperatures of 2500 °C-3000 °C, its amorphous structure can be converted into highly ordered graphitic layers. Structural refinement of biomass-derived graphitic carbon can be achieved using suitable catalysts (transition metals including Fe, Ni, and Co) and optimizing processing parameters such as temperature, time, and heating methods. Structural changes achieved through graphitization enhance the functionality of biomass-derived graphitic carbon, rendering it suitable for advanced applications such as energy storage (lithium-ion and sodium-ion batteries and supercapacitors), electrocatalysis (ORR, HER, and OER), electromagnetic interference shielding, and environmental remediation. In this review, we examine various methods used for achieving catalytic graphitization and the effect of different processing parameters on the structural evolution from biomass to graphitic carbon. Additionally, this review investigates the mechanism underlying graphitization and trade-off between porosity and surface area. Furthermore, the utilization of biomass-derived graphitic carbon in battery, supercapacitor, electrocatalysis, and electromagnetic interference shielding applications and challenges associated with structural refinement, scalability, and stability are discussed.
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BibTeX
@article{fazil2026transforming,
title = {{Transforming biomass to graphitic carbon: Catalytic mechanisms, structural refinement, and emerging applications}},
author = {Fazil TP and Soney Varghese and Deepalekshmi Ponnamma},
journal = {Journal of Power Sources},
year = {2026},
month = jun,
doi = {10.1016/j.jpowsour.2026.240813},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2026.240813},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Transforming biomass to graphitic carbon: Catalytic mechanisms, structural refinement, and emerging applications
AU - Fazil TP
AU - Soney Varghese
AU - Deepalekshmi Ponnamma
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/06/28
JO - Journal of Power Sources
DO - 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2026.240813
UR - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2026.240813
AB - Conventional graphite production strategies-both the extraction of natural graphite and graphitization of fossil-derived carbon at temperatures of ∼3000 °C- are highly energy-intensive and contribute to environmental burden. Therefore, graphite production via decarbonization strategies is gaining traction as a means of reducing waste and supporting circular economy principles. Biomass-derived carbon exhibits amorphous or turbostratic nature based on its precursors. Through graphitization at temperatures of 2500 °C-3000 °C, its amorphous structure can be converted into highly ordered graphitic layers. Structural refinement of biomass-derived graphitic carbon can be achieved using suitable catalysts (transition metals including Fe, Ni, and Co) and optimizing processing parameters such as temperature, time, and heating methods. Structural changes achieved through graphitization enhance the functionality of biomass-derived graphitic carbon, rendering it suitable for advanced applications such as energy storage (lithium-ion and sodium-ion batteries and supercapacitors), electrocatalysis (ORR, HER, and OER), electromagnetic interference shielding, and environmental remediation. In this review, we examine various methods used for achieving catalytic graphitization and the effect of different processing parameters on the structural evolution from biomass to graphitic carbon. Additionally, this review investigates the mechanism underlying graphitization and trade-off between porosity and surface area. Furthermore, the utilization of biomass-derived graphitic carbon in battery, supercapacitor, electrocatalysis, and electromagnetic interference shielding applications and challenges associated with structural refinement, scalability, and stability are discussed.
SN - 0378-7753
SN - 1873-2755
ER -