The demand for a new generation of high⁃energy⁃density batteries is increasingly urgent for the present market. As one of the most promising secondary batteries, the research on cathode materials has attracted much attention. Carbon materials with biomass as the precursor have been widely applied to the research of lithium⁃sulfur battery anode materials because of their wide range of sources, easy preparation, and high environmental friendliness. This paper introduces the current research status of cathode materials, the main methods of preparing biomass⁃based carbon materials and the effect of different factor of preparation on the biomass⁃derived carbon materials and on the performance of lithium⁃sulfur batteries. In addition, the paper also introduces some examples of biomass⁃derived carbon materials improved by current methods. Finally,the future development direction in lithium⁃sulfur battery cathode materials was proposed.

Lithium⁃sulfur (Li⁃S) battery was a new battery for high⁃performance energy storage. It was widely used in portable electronic equipment and electric vehicles and was considered to be one of the most promising batteries. The improvement of the electrochemical performance of lithium⁃sulfur batteries could be achieved by developing different electrolyte additives without increasing the cost of the battery.This paper introduced the research progress of additives in lithium⁃sulfur battery electrolytes. Based on the different functional groups of additives,the working principle, advantages and disadvantages of different additives are expounded. Finally,the development direction of lithium⁃sulfur battery electrolyte was prospected.

In the grim situation of global water shortages and environmental pollution, it is necessary to find a clean way to obtain clean water. Solar energy is an inexhaustible, clean and pollution⁃free energy source. Its applications include photothermal, photovoltaic, photocatalytic oxidation, etc. Among them, photothermal is the most efficient way of energy conversion. Carbon material, as a material which has been paid attention to in recent years, has many advantages, such as convenient approach, low price and environmental friendliness.The carbon materials and composites with good photothermal effect which have been studied at home and abroad in recent years are reported, and some new research ideas and materials which can be used for photothermal conversion are also reported.