Conversion of Switchgrass into Functional Carbon Materials and Food Emulsifiers

Switchgrass is a perennial grass native to North America. It can easily grow in a variety of conditions with a high yield. In recent years, it has gained increasing attention as a feedstock for biofuel production. However, the process is limited due to the high-cost and immature technologies. Therefore, the overall goal of this study is to convert switchgrass into high-value and large-volume commodity products, such as hard carbon and natural emulsifier, to increase the economic gain. First, we designed a process to convert switchgrass into hard carbon, a carbon material with disordered structures, and used as an anode material in sodium-ion batteries. The produced hard carbon showed an exceptional battery performance with high storage capacity and excellent cycling stability over time. Furthermore, we investigated the cost-competitiveness of the hard carbon production process through a techno-economic analysis. The results showed the designed process for producing hard carbon from switchgrass was both technically and economically feasible at an industrial scale. Besides the hard carbon production, the liquid generated from the process, which was rich in hemicellulose, was upcycled to natural emulsifiers. The produced emulsifier can stabilize oil-in-water emulsion and maintain its stability over 21 days. Overall, this study developed an intergrade process to produce high-performance hard carbon and natural emulsifiers from switchgrass. The process not only increases the utilization of switchgrass but also provide high-value products for food, pharmaceutical, and energy industries.

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy

Level thesis:degree_level

doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Food Science and Technology

Department dc:contributor.department

Food Science and Technology

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Tech

Year dc:date.issued

2025

Author dc:creator

• Li, Yilin

Chair dc:contributor.committeechair

• Huang, Haibo

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Cheng, Yifan
• Lin, Feng
• Ogejo, Jactone Arogo
• O'Keefe, Sean F.

• Lignocellulosic biomass
• Hydrothermal Treatment
• Hard Carbon Anode
• Natural Emulsifier
• Techno-Economic Analysis

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language dc:language.iso

en

Dc Identifier Other

vt_gsexam:43621

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/132457