The invention discloses a carbon-based binder-free composite material as well as a preparation method and application thereof, and belongs to the technical field of carbon material preparation. The carbon-based binderless composite material comprises a matrix, a carbon film and structural carbon. The carbon film is loaded on the surface of the matrix, and the structural carbon integrally formed with the carbon film grows on the carbon film. Alkali metal and alkaline earth metal catalysts are added in the preparation process, so that a carbon source is deposited on the surface of the matrix toform an integrally formed carbon film and structural carbon, the use of a binder is avoided, the effective specific surface area of the composite material is increased, the bonding strength and electrical contact performance of the carbon material and the matrix are improved, the electron, ion and atom transmission and chemical structure characteristics of the surface of the material are modified,and the composite material with excellent physical and chemical properties is prepared. The composite material prepared by the invention can be used for various battery electrodes, capacitor electrodes, various sensor electrodes, solar cell electrodes, water electrolysis hydrogen production electrodes, hydrogen storage materials, catalysts, catalyst carriers, composite material reinforcing materials and the like.