Research Progress of Carbon Materials Prepared from Lignin as Precursor

Lignin, as one of the typical biomass resources, is a rare renewable aromatic compound. It features abundant sources, high yield, and green, pollution-free characteristics. However, with environmental pollution caused by fossil fuel consumption and the overexploitation of nonrenewable resources, the demand for alternative energy sources and sustainable chemical production technologies has become urgent. Through sintering processes, lignin can be transformed into carbon materials with graphene-like structures, thereby replacing fossil fuels. The high-performance properties of lignin hold broad application potential across numerous fields, making it a current research hotspot in scientific circles. This paper reviews the process and key challenges involved in converting lignin into lignin-derived carbon materials, followed by an analysis of emerging development directions for these materials. Finally, this paper outlines future trends in lignin-derived carbon materials, aiming to provide insights for subsequent sustainable development strategies for lignin.