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Cost-effective decarbonization and structural strengthening of carbon-containing refractory materials are crucial for the development of low-carbon steel (LCS) and ultra-low-carbon steel (ULCS) technologies. In this study, a carbonaceous-ceramic reinforcement assembly structure composed of multilayer graphenes and silicon carbide whiskers/particles (MLGs-SiC w /SiC p) has been successfully designed and fabricated. By employing three-roll milling (TRM) for low-cost exfoliation of expanded graphite (EG) into MLGs in a phenolic resin (PF) medium, we optimized the exfoliation cycles to fine-tune the morphology of MLGs. Subsequently, the catalytical solid-state conversion of PF/MLGs reacting with Si into SiC w /SiC p at 1400 °C, under varying C/Si molar ratios and catalyst contents, not only retained the structural integrity of MLGs but also embedded them within a novel SiC w /SiC p composite matrix. Our research elucidates the catalytic conversion mechanism, underscoring the significant role of nickel catalysts in promoting efficient SiC conversion. This work offers a promising pathway for developing high-performance, economical, low-carbon refractories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • All-iron ions mediated biomass pretreatment coupling with direct biomass fuel cell. • Ferric ions as electron carriers under acidic condition. • Ferricyanide ions as electron carriers under alkaline condition. • Ferric nitrate activated by HNO 3 as cathode electron carriers. • Fermentable sugars production with co-generation of electricity from bagasse. A coupled process of biomass pretreatment for increasing cellulose digestibility and direct conversion of biomass to electricity has been developed with ferric or ferricyanide ions as the anode electron carriers, and Fe(NO 3) 3 activated by HNO 3 as the cathode electron carriers. Pretreated substrates are subjected to enzymatic hydrolysis for release of fermentable sugars, while the pretreatment liquor is employed as anolyte for electricity generation in a liquid flow fuel cell (LFFC). Pretreatment of sugarcane bagasse with 2 M FeCl 3 in anode reactor removes ∼ 100% hemicelluloses and obtains 76% enzymatic glucan conversion (EGC), while pretreatment with 0.1 M K 3 [Fe(CN) 6 ] in 0.5 M KOH achieves 78% lignin removal, 95.8% EGC and 85.1% xylan conversion. From 1000 g bagasse, 171.3 g fermentable sugars is produced with co-generation of 101.4 W·h electricity based on FeCl 3 pretreatment, while 519 g fermentable sugars and 28.9 W·h electricity are obtained based on K 3 [Fe(CN) 6 ] pretreatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]