Sustainable water-activated metal–air paper batteries based on waste biomass-based electrocatalysts

Abstract

In this study, we synthesized a biomass-derived carbon alloy catalyst, termed “nano-blood charcoal (NBC),” using dried blood meal and cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) sourced from sea pineapple shells. This catalyst demonstrated high activity under neutral conditions and enabled the successful fabrication of a high-output, environmentally friendly water-activated magnesium–air paper battery. The open circuit voltage (OCV) of the cell was 1.57 V, and the maximum current density was 161 mA cm⁻². The maximum power density was 55.7 mW cm⁻², and the capacity of a single paper battery cell was 749 mW h g_(Mg)⁻¹. Additionally, the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performance of NBC was also evaluated, and it contributed to realize a rechargeable Mg–air paper battery.