Diatoms Biomass as a Joint Source of Biosilica and Carbon for Lithium-Ion Battery Anodes

The biomass of one type cultivated diatoms (Pseudostaurosira trainorii), being a source of 3D-stuctured biosilica and organic matter-the source of carbon, was thermally processed to become an electroactive material in a potential range adequate to become an anode in lithium ion batteries. Carbonized material was characterized by means of selected solid-state physics techniques (XRD, Raman, TGA). It was shown that the pyrolysis temperature (600 degrees C, 800 degrees C, 1000 degrees C) affected structural and electrochemical properties of the electrode material. Biomass carbonized at 600 degrees C exhibited the best electrochemical properties reaching a specific discharge capacity of 460 mAh g(-1) for the 70th cycle. Such a value indicates the possibility of usage of biosilica as an electrode material in energy storage applications.