Approach for Upcycling Textile Waste for Simultaneous Energy Recovery and Li-ion Battery Electrode Production

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Fast fashion generates substantial textile waste, leading to environmental and economic challenges due to low recycling rates and high landfill volumes.
• Existing disposal methods for textile waste are unsustainable and contribute to pollution.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a sustainable upcycling strategy for converting denim waste into functional carbon materials for lithium-ion battery (LIB) anodes.
• To evaluate the electrochemical performance and economic viability of denim-waste-derived carbon electrodes (DWCEs).

Main Methods:

• Denim waste was pyrolyzed and subsequently activated using KOH to produce carbon materials.
• The resulting activated carbon was characterized for its surface area, graphitization, and elemental composition (including nitrogen doping).
• Electrochemical performance was assessed by fabricating LIB anodes and testing their discharge capacity, rate capability, and cycling stability.

Main Results:

• Pyrolysis yielded 13 wt% gas, 63 wt% liquid, and 24 wt% solid residues.
• The activated denim-waste-derived carbon electrode (DWCE) demonstrated a high initial discharge capacity (141.6 mAh/g) and excellent rate capability (38.3% retention at 1000 mA/g).
• Material characterization revealed a high surface area (691.4 m²/g), enhanced graphitization, and nitrogen doping, contributing to superior Li-ion storage and conductivity.
• Stable cycling performance was achieved over 200 cycles.

Conclusions:

• Denim waste can be effectively upcycled into high-performance carbon materials for LIB anodes.
• This approach offers a sustainable, low-cost alternative to traditional disposal methods, reducing CO₂ emissions and promoting a circular economy.
• The pyrolytic byproducts can be utilized as renewable energy sources, further enhancing the economic and environmental benefits.