Converting Liquor Waste into Energy: Baijiu Sediment Repurposed as a Sodium-Ion Battery Anode

A research team from the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, collaborating with baijiu manufacturer Wuliangye, has developed a carbon-based anode for sodium-ion batteries using baijiu sediment. Their study, published in ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, details how they processed the sediment to enhance its suitability as an anode material.

Baijiu, a widely consumed alcoholic beverage in China, is traditionally made from wheat or rice and has a high alcohol content. The distillation process leaves behind sediment, which is typically repurposed as fertilizer or livestock feed. However, the researchers discovered that this byproduct contains valuable components for creating a carbon anode.

For years, lithium-ion batteries have dominated the market, powering everything from handheld devices to large-scale energy storage solutions and electric vehicles. Despite their widespread use, these batteries are expensive and pose fire hazards, prompting scientists to seek safer, more cost-effective alternatives. One promising candidate is the sodium-ion battery. However, to make it a viable replacement, researchers must improve its charge density and address the issue of micropore collapse in carbon anodes. This study focuses on solving the latter challenge.

From Waste to Power: Processing Baijiu Sediment into a High-Performance Carbon Anode

Transforming baijiu sediment into a functional carbon anode required multiple treatment steps. The researchers began by washing and drying the sediment before subjecting it to acid leaching and pre-carbonization. To eliminate silica, they soaked the material in sodium hydroxide at high temperatures and combined it with ethyl orthosilicate. After an ultrasound treatment and high-temperature baking, the final product—a silicon-doped hard carbon—was ready. The team named it HC-1100Si-1.

To evaluate performance, the researchers integrated their anode into a standard sodium-ion battery. The results showed a reversible capacity of 281.5 mAh/g at 1°C and a charge retention of 91.9% after 100 cycles. While these figures do not yet surpass current commercial battery standards, the team believes their anode could be useful in applications requiring frequent charging.

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