Carbothermally Synthesizing Carbon Nanostructures from Biomass: A New Paradigm for Sustainable Carbon Materials Production

Advanced carbon nanostructures, such as carbon nanotubes, nanofibers, and graphene, and hybrid carbon-metal nanocomposites have emerged as multifunctional materials with significant implications for energy and sustainability. However, conventional synthesis methods largely rely on fossil-fuel-derived precursors and involve complex, resource-intensive processes. The utilization of abundant, renewable lignocellulosic biomass in conjunction with environmentally benign and simplified synthesis strategies presents a promising alternative to fossil-derived precursor-based synthesis. This review undertakes a comprehensive assessment of the contemporary advances in the in situ carbothermal synthesis of advanced carbon nanostructures from lignocellulosic biomass, elucidating the underlying mechanistic principles and bringing to the fore salient research inquiries. Additionally, it delves into the prospective applications of these advanced carbon nanostructures within the interconnected domains of energy and sustainability. A culminating section is devoted to an examination of the extant limitations and challenges inherent to the development of these carbon nanostructures. Through this review, a new paradigm is proposed for the sustainable preparation of carbon materials, reflecting both a synthesis of existing knowledge and a forward-looking perspective. It is anticipated that this review will promote further investigative pursuits, fostering intellectual synergy and collaboration across the interdisciplinary spectrum of chemistry, energy, and sustainability.