Agricultural Waste-Derived Carbon Electrodes for Sustainable Lithium-Ion Batteries: Environmental and Economic Assessment

Abstract

The rapid expansion of renewable energy systems and electric mobility has intensified the global demand for efficient and sustainable energy storage technologies. Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), while dominant in this field, face growing criticism due to their dependence on non-renewable materials, high production costs, and environmental concerns associated with mining and disposal. This study explores the potential of agricultural waste-derived materials as sustainable alternatives for LIB electrode production. Various agricultural residues, including husks, stalks, and shells, can be thermochemically converted into high-performance carbon materials with favorable electrochemical characteristics. A comprehensive environmental and economic assessment was conducted to evaluate the feasibility of integrating such bio-derived materials into LIB manufacturing. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) results indicate significant reductions in carbon footprint, energy consumption, and waste generation compared to conventional graphite-based systems. Economically, the use of agricultural waste presents lower raw material costs and aligns with circular economy principles by transforming biomass residues into value-added products. The findings highlight that agricultural waste-based electrodes can achieve competitive performance while substantially enhancing sustainability. Overall, this study demonstrates a viable pathway toward greener, cost-effective, and resource-efficient lithium-ion battery technologies.