Advancement of biocarbon materials in sustainable thermal and electrochemical energy storage with future outlooks

Biocarbon exhibits significant potential in thermal and electrochemical energy storage owing to its higher surface area, flexible porosity, and superior thermal stability, facilitating effective energy absorption, storage, and conversion. Additionally, its sustainable and cost-effective nature, derived from renewable biomass, aligns with the growing demand for eco-friendly solutions. There is not enough review work that offers comprehensive details on the unique properties of biocarbon (both animal and plant-derived), synthesis and characterization methods, the root level mechanism of biocarbon's interaction with phase change materials (PCMs) matrix, the generalization of thermal and electrochemical regulation with an emphasis on the benefits to the environment and economy, merely focus on the process of attaining United Nations sustainable development goals (UN SDGs) and role of artificial intelligence (AI) with biocarbon in thermal and electrochemical energy storage. This study aims to bridge the gaps by providing greater clarification on the interaction mechanism of biocarbon/PCM composites and founds that the thermal conductivity can upsurge by nearly 189 % or more, and the latent heat of crystallization can rise by roughly 132 %. It also provides a detailed comparison of conventional metal, ceramic, and carbon-based matrix materials with biocarbon matrix, life-cycle analysis, and the advantages of biocarbon materials from an economic and environmental standpoint with remaining challenges. Biocarbon has enormous potential to address a number of SDGs (7, 9, and 13) by facilitating energy utilization, fostering industrial innovation, and addressing climate change, all of which will contribute to a more sustainable and greener future.