Abstract
Graphite remains the dominant anode material in commercial lithium-ion batteries due to its low cost, structural stability, and established intercalation chemistry. However, due to the current exponential growth of the EV and energy storage sectors, graphite consumption is projected to outpace production by 2030. In this study, graphite derived from lignocellulosic-based carbon precursors was evaluated electrochemically, focusing on purity, structural order, crystallinity, and electrical conductivity. The resulting graphite powders were fabricated into anodes and tested in lithium-ion batteries to characterize their cyclability, rate capability, and lifespan, thereby elucidating lithium storage behaviour and kinetic limitations. These findings highlight the critical role of graphite structural characteristics in electrochemical performance and demonstrate that non-conventional graphite sources from sustainable biomass feedstocks can achieve competitive anode behaviour when properly engineered.