Grain Industry Waste in Lithium-Ion Battery Production

The Kaliningrad Region generates over 200,000 tons of straw annually, and its disposal often causes environmental degradation. However, straw-derived biochar can be utilized in the production of lithium-ion batteries. This article describes the most effective processing methods and structural parameters for this application. 
The study utilized winter wheat straw collected from farms in the Kaliningrad Region. The raw material was subjected to hydrothermal carbonization with varying temperatures (200–260°C), residence times (1–3 h), and water-to-biomass ratios (1:6, 1:12, 1:18). The optimal hydrothermal carbonization conditions proved to be 260°C for 60 min with a water ratio of 1:12. The resulting biochar was then subjected to multi-stage pyrolysis at temperatures up to 800°C. The products were characterized using elemental analysis, gravimetry, laser diffraction, and electrochemical testing in laboratory coin-cell lithium-ion batteries, which were compared against commercial AGP-2 graphite.
The elemental composition of the precursor straw revealed a high carbon content (44.2%), confirming its suitability for thermochemical conversion. The hydrothermal carbonization under optimal conditions raised the carbon mass fraction to 61.3%, while the subsequent pyrolysis increased it to 80–95%. The average particle size of the resulting biochar (D50 = 26.2 μm) complied 
with industrial standards for anode materials. The electrochemical analysis demonstrated that the prototype possessed a higher initial specific capacity than commercial graphite but lower cycling stability, which could be attributed to its amorphous structure and the formation of a solid electrolyte interphase layer. 
Winter wheat straw proved to be an effective precursor for synthesizing biochar suitable for lithium-ion battery anodes. This approach reduces the consumption of non-renewable resources and lowers the carbon footprint of the agricultural sector. Further research is required to enhance the stability of its electrochemical properties.

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