University of Limerick research reveals 'promising option' for future energy storage

A NEW study led by researchers at the University of Limerick (UL) has identified a battery material derived from a renewable wood-industry byproduct that could help reduce reliance on scarce and expensive materials.

Published in the leading journal, Advanced Materials, the study shows how lignosulfonate, a waste material derived from the pulp and paper industries, can be transformed into high-performance carbon nanofibers for sodium-ion batteries.

As demand for batteries continues to grow with the expansion of electric vehicles and renewable energy technologies, scientists are increasingly seeking sustainable alternatives to lithium-ion batteries. Sodium is one of the most abundant elements on Earth, making sodium-ion batteries a promising option for future energy storage.

The UL researchers, working in collaboration with colleagues at the University of Valencia, developed a green chemistry process that uses water instead of toxic solvents to create battery materials. The process also eliminates the need for synthetic binders and additives commonly used in battery manufacturing.

Professor Maurice N Collins, Professor of Materials Science in UL's School of Engineering and lead of sustainable and resilient materials at the Bernal Institute, who led the study, said: “This research shows how an underused byproduct from the forestry and paper industries can be converted into a valuable battery material using a simple water-based process.

“A key breakthrough from the research was the discovery that the performance of the material can be tailored by controlling its structure at the nanoscale. By carefully engineering the nanostructure of the carbon material, we were able to improve how efficiently sodium ions are stored and released during charging and discharging.”

First author on the paper, Judith Miralda-Jalle, a PhD researcher at UL, said: “This study was not only about creating a new battery material, but also about understanding the science behind it. By investigating how the chemistry and structure of the carbon changed during processing, we gained insights that can help guide the design of more efficient and sustainable materials for future batteries.”

The team produced the material by combining lignosulfonate with other naturally derived ingredients to create ultra-fine fibres. These were then converted into advanced carbon structures designed specifically for energy storage applications.

Beyond its potential use in batteries, the research could create a valuable new application for lignosulfonate, which is currently an underutilised industrial byproduct.

Associate Professor Tadhg Kennedy, co-director of the AMPEiRE Battery Research Centre at University of Limerick and co-author of the work added: “What is particularly exciting about this research is that sustainability is built into every stage of the material’s development. We start with an abundant industrial byproduct, process it using water rather than organic solvents, and engineer its internal structure to improve sodium storage. This shows that high-performance battery materials can be designed with both electrochemical performance and environmental responsibility in mind.”

Emphasising the environmental potential of the research, Professor Collins explained: “The work demonstrates how renewable resources can be transformed into high-value materials while supporting the development of a more circular and sustainable economy, and the enormous potential of sustainable materials to support the next generation of energy storage technologies.”

The article - A Mechanistic Study of Bio-Based Nanotemplated Carbon Nanofibers Derived From Water Processable Lignin Blends for Sustainable Energy Storage Applications - by Judith Miralda-Jalle, Maurice N Collins and others, has been published in the journal Advanced Materials.