With the increasing demand for sustainable and cost-effective energy storage solutions, post-lithium batteries such as sodium-ion, potassium-ion, zinc-based, and other multivalent systems, are emerging as promising alternatives to conventional lithium-ion technology. These systems offer advantages in terms of elemental abundance, safety, and affordability. However, critical challenges remain, including low cycling stability, poor energy density, and sluggish ion transport. Addressing these limitations requires the development of high-performance electrode materials compatible with diverse chemistries.

Carbon-based materials have shown great potential as electrode components due to their structural tunability, high electrical conductivity, and chemical stability. In particular, eco-friendly carbons derived from biomass, industrial waste, or synthesized via green chemistry methods have gained attention in the pursuit of more sustainable battery technologies. By tailoring porosity, surface chemistry, and heteroatom doping, these materials can be engineered to meet the specific demands of various post-lithium battery systems.

This Research Topic focuses on recent advances in the design, characterization, and application of carbon-based materials for electrode components (i.e., anodes and cathodes) in next-generation energy storage technologies. Emphasis is placed on sustainable synthesis approaches, performance optimization, and insights into structure-property-performance relationships. In addition, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and computational methods in screening and designing novel carbon architectures is encouraged, as these tools can accelerate the discovery of efficient materials.

We welcome original research articles, reviews, and perspectives that highlight the role of carbon materials as electrodes in post-lithium systems. Contributions may span both experimental and theoretical domains, including materials development, device performance, and mechanistic studies. While the core focus remains on carbon-based electrodes, studies addressing the interface between electrodes and electrolytes are also of interest, particularly if carbon modification strategies are involved.

Key areas of interest include:
• Sustainable synthesis routes and green chemistry strategies for carbon electrode materials derived from biomass, waste, or renewable sources
• Structural engineering of carbon materials: tailoring porosity, surface functionality, and heteroatom doping for enhanced electrochemical performance
• Carbon-based composites and hybrids designed for electrode applications in sodium-ion, potassium-ion, zinc-based, and multivalent batteries
• Interface engineering between carbon electrodes and electrolytes to improve cycling stability and charge transfer
• Application of AI and machine learning in predicting, screening, and optimizing the composition and morphology of carbon materials
• Advanced characterization and in situ studies linking carbon structure to battery performance
• Theoretical and modeling studies that support material design or provide mechanistic understanding of electrochemical behavior.

By consolidating emerging strategies in eco-friendly carbon design and application, this research topic aims to accelerate progress toward sustainable, scalable, and high-performance post-lithium energy storage systems.

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Eco-Friendly Carbon-Based Materials for Next-Generation Post-Lithium Energy Storage Systems