Enzymatic preparation of rice-starch-based surface-modified disordered carbon as an anode for lithium-ion batteries

A unique surface-modified rice-starch-based disordered carbon (SRC) was prepared with the intention of improving the electrochemical properties of anodes for Li-ion batteries. The starch's surface was altered via an enzymatic hydrolysis process, and these changes were retained following a heat treatment process to create a porous surface. Following surface modification, SRC-based anodes exhibited a higher reversible capacity and coulombic efficiency in the first cycle at the same current density when compared with unmodified rice-starch-based disordered carbon (RC). SRC-based electrodes also displayed improved rate capability behavior and cycling performance. Across the measurements performed during this body of work, the electrodes' performances were improved when (i) the contact area between the SRC particles and the electrolyte was maximized and (ii) the ordering of the particles on the surface was improved. These results indicate that this is a viable approach for the creation of anodes for Li-ion batteries from modified biomass sources.