Comparative Study on the Structural Properties and Electrochemical Performance of Xylan-derived Char Catalyzed by Na2CO3 at Various Concentrations

Characterization using X-ray microscopy and scanning electron microscopy demonstrated that the morphological structure of xylan char was altered following Na2CO3 catalysis. Increasing the Na2CO3/xylan ratio resulted in a slenderization of the triangular prism shape of the char skeleton and a reduction in porosity.

X-ray diffraction analysis showed that Na2CO3 promoted the growth of the (004) crystal plane of graphite during xylan pyrolysis, while inhibiting the formation of the (100/101) crystal planes. Raman spectroscopy analysis indicated that the presence of Na2CO3 had changed the graphitization degree of xylan char. Electrochemical tests further showed that char prepared with a Na2CO3/xylan mass ratio of 1:1 exhibited the highest sodium storage capacity.