Issue 29, 2022

Utilizing native lignin as redox-active material in conductive wood for electronic and energy storage applications

Abstract

Nanostructured wood veneer with added electroactive functionality combines structural and functional properties into eco-friendly, low-cost nanocomposites for electronics and energy technologies. Here, we report novel conducting polymer-impregnated wood veneer electrodes where the native lignin is preserved, but functionalized for redox activity and used as an active component. The resulting electrodes display a well-preserved structure, redox activity, and high conductivity. Wood samples were sodium sulfite-treated under neutral conditions at 165 °C, followed by the tailored distribution of PEDOT:PSS, not previously used for this purpose. The mild sulfite process introduces sulfonic acid groups inside the nanostructured cell wall, facilitating electrostatic interaction on a molecular level between the residual lignin and PEDOT. The electrodes exhibit a conductivity of up to 203 S m−1 and a specific pseudo-capacitance of up to 38 mF cm−2, with a capacitive contribution from PEDOT:PSS and a faradaic component originating from lignin. We also demonstrate an asymmetric wood pseudo-capacitor reaching a specific capacitance of 22.9 mF cm−2 at 1.2 mA cm−2 current density. This new wood composite design and preparation scheme will support the development of wood-based materials for use in electronics and energy storage.

Graphical abstract: Utilizing native lignin as redox-active material in conductive wood for electronic and energy storage applications

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
03 Dec 2021
Accepted
30 Jun 2022
First published
30 Jun 2022
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY license

J. Mater. Chem. A, 2022,10, 15677-15688

Utilizing native lignin as redox-active material in conductive wood for electronic and energy storage applications

V. C. Tran, G. G. Mastantuoni, D. Belaineh, S. Aminzadeh, L. A. Berglund, M. Berggren, Q. Zhou and I. Engquist, J. Mater. Chem. A, 2022, 10, 15677 DOI: 10.1039/D1TA10366K

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