Recent advances in lignin-derived mesoporous carbon based-on template methods

Biomass resources are considered one of the most promising renewable materials to replace fossil resources. In an effort to foster sustainable development, many recent research endeavors have centered around the exploration of biomass valorization. The global agricultural land area is about five billion hectares, accounting for 38 % of the world's land area. Each year, nature synthesizes roughly 170 billion tons of biomass via photosynthesis, a substantial part of which is comprised of lignocellulosic agroforestry residues. Lignin, a vital component of lignocellulose, constitutes about 30 % of the organic carbon in the biosphere, ranking as the second most abundant biomass resource on Earth. Therefore, lignin has broad prospects in the field of high-performance mesoporous carbon due to its polyphenolic properties. This review meticulously outlines the principles, advantages, limitations, and the structural framework of template methods utilized in crafting mesoporous carbon from lignin. Moreover, it examines the latest usage of lignin-based mesoporous carbon in various domains such as adsorption, catalysis, drug delivery, thermal and hydrogen storage, along with electrochemical energy storage (encompassing lithium-ion batteries, solar cells, fuel cells, and supercapacitors) and sustainability evaluations. In conclusion, this discourse offers a fresh perspective on the potential developments in the preparation and applications of templated lignin-based mesoporous carbon. Undoubtedly, the strategic design of templated lignin-based mesoporous carbon will propel its widespread application across diverse sectors, thereby fostering a greener and more sustainable society.