Engineering the Catalytic Sites and Porous Framework of Biomass-Derived Carbon Aerogels for Zinc-Air Batteries and Pressure Sensors: A Review.
- 1Key Laboratory of Pulp and Paper Science & Technology of Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Green Papermaking and Resource Recycling, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan 250353, China.
- 2Shandong Sport University, Jinan 250102, China.
- 3Department of Forest Biomaterials, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-8005, USA.
Abstract
The ever-growing global demand for sustainable energy has promoted the development of zinc-air batteries with high energy density. However, the slow multi-electron kinetic process of the oxygen reduction reaction and oxygen evolution reaction still restricts the practical commercialization of this battery technology. Biomass-based carbon aerogels can be constructed into tunable three-dimensional hierarchical structural frameworks, which provide high specific surface area and tunable structural characteristics, offering opportunities to improve mass transport and catalytic-site accessibility. This paper systematically reviews the latest research progress in the preparation and structural regulation of biomass-based carbon aerogels and elaborates on the determining effect of directional sol-gel processes, advanced drying techniques, and activation mechanisms on pore structure. To further improve the bifunctional electrocatalytic activity, this paper highlights the key doping and modification strategies, including nitrogen doping, multi-element co-doping, as well as the precise immobilization of non-noble metal nanoparticles and single-atom active sites. In addition to serving as high-efficiency, self-supporting, and flexible air cathodes for energy storage devices, the excellent mechanical rebound performance and continuous conductive network of this type of carbon aerogel also make it suitable for high-sensitivity pressure sensors. In conclusion, rational design and modification of biomass precursors can open up a green and sustainable development path for next-generation multifunctional flexible electronic devices.
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BibTeX
@article{yu2026engineering,
title = {{Engineering the Catalytic Sites and Porous Framework of Biomass-Derived Carbon Aerogels for Zinc-Air Batteries and Pressure Sensors: A Review.}},
author = {Chenyue Yu and Yanglei Chen and Lei Zhang and Ru Li and Lucian A Lucia and Xiaofei Zhou and Guihua Yang},
journal = {Gels (Basel, Switzerland)},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3390/gels12100917},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42929951},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Engineering the Catalytic Sites and Porous Framework of Biomass-Derived Carbon Aerogels for Zinc-Air Batteries and Pressure Sensors: A Review.
AU - Chenyue Yu
AU - Yanglei Chen
AU - Lei Zhang
AU - Ru Li
AU - Lucian A Lucia
AU - Xiaofei Zhou
AU - Guihua Yang
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/13
JO - Gels (Basel, Switzerland)
DO - 10.3390/gels12100917
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42929951
AB - The ever-growing global demand for sustainable energy has promoted the development of zinc-air batteries with high energy density. However, the slow multi-electron kinetic process of the oxygen reduction reaction and oxygen evolution reaction still restricts the practical commercialization of this battery technology. Biomass-based carbon aerogels can be constructed into tunable three-dimensional hierarchical structural frameworks, which provide high specific surface area and tunable structural characteristics, offering opportunities to improve mass transport and catalytic-site accessibility. This paper systematically reviews the latest research progress in the preparation and structural regulation of biomass-based carbon aerogels and elaborates on the determining effect of directional sol-gel processes, advanced drying techniques, and activation mechanisms on pore structure. To further improve the bifunctional electrocatalytic activity, this paper highlights the key doping and modification strategies, including nitrogen doping, multi-element co-doping, as well as the precise immobilization of non-noble metal nanoparticles and single-atom active sites. In addition to serving as high-efficiency, self-supporting, and flexible air cathodes for energy storage devices, the excellent mechanical rebound performance and continuous conductive network of this type of carbon aerogel also make it suitable for high-sensitivity pressure sensors. In conclusion, rational design and modification of biomass precursors can open up a green and sustainable development path for next-generation multifunctional flexible electronic devices.
SN - 2310-2861
ER -