Comparative study on the structural properties and electrochemical performance of xylan-derived char catalyzed by Na₂CO₃ at various concentrations

In this study, the catalysis function of Na₂CO₃ to the structural properties of xylan char was well investigated with Na₂CO₃ on, and the electrochemical performance of xylan char as an anode material for sodium-ion batteries was tested. The characterization of X-ray microscopy and scanning electron microscopy demonstrated that the morphological structure of xylan char was altered due to the addition of Na₂CO₃ catalyst. The increasement of the Na₂CO₃/xylan ratio resulted in a slenderization of the triangular prism shape of the char skeleton and a reduction in porosity. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that Na₂CO₃ promoted the growth of the (004) crystal plane of graphite during xylan pyrolysis, while inhibiting the formation of the (100/101) crystal planes. Raman spectroscopy analysis indicated that the presence of Na₂CO₃ had changed the graphitization degree of xylan char. Electrochemical tests further showed that char prepared with a Na₂CO₃/xylan mass ratio of 1∶1 exhibited the highest sodium storage capacity. This study provides a pathway for the rational design carbon materials derived from xylan for future applications in energy storage devices