Hierarchical Design and Bifunctional Catalytic Optimization of Biomass‐Derived Carbon Materials for Zinc‐Air Batteries: Sustainable Energy Frontiers

Abstract Zinc‐air batteries (ZABs) have emerged as promising next‐generation energy storage systems owing to their excellent theoretical energy densities and eco‐friendly characteristics. Nonetheless, their practical application is hindered by the intrinsic kinetic limitations of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) at air cathodes, which degrade charge–discharge efficiency and cycling stability. Biomass‐derived carbon materials, characterized by their structural versatility, cost‐effectiveness, and sustainability, present a compelling solution for catalyzing these oxygen‐based reactions. This review systematically examines rational design strategies for enhancing the catalytic performance of biomass‐derived carbon materials. Specifically, this work focuses on pore structure engineering to optimize mass transport and improve active site accessibility; heteroatom doping with different elements to modulate electronic configurations and boost surface reactivity; and hierarchical architecture construction to synergistically integrate conductive frameworks with catalytic centers. Recent advancements in tailoring biomass precursors and pyrolysis protocols are critically analyzed to establish structure–activity correlations. This work identifies key challenges to long‐term stability by studying the degradation mechanisms and proposes scalable synthesis methods for the precise control of multiscale structures. This study combines fundamental insights with practical engineering to provide a clear roadmap for developing sustainable, high‐performance catalysts and accelerating the commercialization of ZABs and related energy technologies.