Hydrothermal conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into high-value energy storage materials

Preparation of hierarchically porous, heteroatom-rich nanostructured carbons through green and scalable routes plays a key role for practical energy storage applications. In this work, naturally abundant lignocellulosic agricultural waste with high initial oxygen content, hazelnut shells, were hydrothermally carbonized and converted into nanostructured ‘hydrochar'. Environmentally benign ceramic/magnesium oxide(Mg O) templating was used to introduce porosity into the hydrochar. Electrochemical performance of the resulting material(HM700) was investigated in aqueous solutions of 1 M H_2SO_4, 6 M KOH and1 M Na_2SO_4, using a three-electrode cell. HM700 achieved a high specific capacitance of 323.2 F/g in 1 M H_2SO_4(at 1 A/g,-0.3 to 0.9 V vs. Ag/Ag Cl) due to the contributions of oxygen heteroatoms(13.5 wt%)to the total capacitance by pseudo-capacitive effect. Moreover, a maximum energy density of 11.1 Wh/kg and a maximum power density of 3686.2 W/kg were attained for the symmetric supercapacitor employing HM700 as electrode material(1 M Na_2SO_4, E = 2 V), making the device promising for green supercapacitor applications.     

Ordered mesoporous silicon carbide-derived carbon for high-power supercapacitors

Micro/mesoporous carbon was prepared by chlorination of ordered mesoporous silicon carbide derived from magnesio-thermal reduction of templated carbon-silica precursors. These materials were then used as active materials for electrochemical capacitors and characterized in 1.5 M NEt₄BF₄/AN. The electrodes showed outstanding rate capability (90% of capacity retention at 1 V/s and time constant of 1 s) with high specific areal capacitance (0.5 F/cm² of electrode), that makes such hierarchical porous carbons promising for high power and energy density supercapacitors.     

Facile synthesis of high electrical conductive CoP via solid-state synthetic routes for supercapacitors

Co-P precursor was prepared by a mechanical alloying method and then is controlled to synthesis of Co P phase through an annealing method. The optimal conditions of ball milling and annealing temperature are investigated. The Co P exhibits higher electrical conductivity than graphite and cobalt oxide, showing excellent pseudocapacitive properties due its high electrical conductivity which can result in a fast electron transfer in high rate charge–discharge possess. The as-obtained Co P electrode achieves a high specific capacitance of 447.5 F/g at 1 A/g, and displays an excellent rate capability as well as good cycling stability. Besides, the asymmetric supercapacitor(ASC) based on the Co P as the positive electrode and activated carbon(AC) as the negative electrode was assembled and displayed a high rate capability(60%of the capacitance is retained when the current density increased from 1 A/g to 12 A/g), excellent cycling stability(96.7% of the initial capacitance is retained after 5000 cycles), and a superior specific energy of19 Wh/kg at a power density of 350.8 W/kg. The results suggest that the Co P electrode materials have a great potential for developing high-performance electrochemical energy storage devices.     

Pulse polymerized polypyrrole electrodes for high energy density electrochemical supercapacitor

A novel method of pulsed polymerization for pyrrole exhibiting highest capacitance and very high energy density polypyrrole supercapacitor is reported. Stable polypyrrole films with good electrochemical reversibility and high doping degree were obtained by applying ultra short on time current pulse for polymerization. Pulse on time plays an important role in controlling chain size and chain defects whereas pulse off time contributes in polymer conjugation and orientation. A regime of pulse on time is identified to yield highly capacitive and stable films for supercapacitor application. Very high specific capacitance of 400 F/g and an unexpectedly high energy density of 250 Wh/kg were obtained form pulsed polymerized ordered polypyrrole structures in acidic electrolyte. Stability tests performed on pulsed polymerized pPy electrode yield long cycling life up to 10,000 cycles at charge/discharge current density of 5 mA/cm².     

Partially graphitic micro- and mesoporous carbon microspheres for supercapacitors

Partially graphitic micro-and mesoporous carbon microspheres(GMMCMs)were synthesized using hydrothermal emulsion polymerization followed by KOH activation and catalytic graphitization.The resulting GMMCMs show micro-and mesopores with a specifc surface area of 1113 m2/g,regular spherical shape with diameters of 0.5–1.0 mm and a partially graphitic structure with a low internal resistance of 0.34 V.The graphitic carbons as electrode for supercapacitor exhibit a fast ion-transport and rapid charge–discharge feature,and a high-rate electrochemical performance.The typical GMMCM electrode shows a specifc capacitance of 220 F/g at 1.0 A/g,and 185 F/g under a high current density of20.0 A/g in a 6 mol/L KOH electrolyte.     

KOH activated carbon derived from biomass-banana fibers as an efficient negative electrode in high performance asymmetric supercapacitor

Here we demonstrate the fabrication, electrochemical performance and application of an asymmetric supercapacitor(AS) device constructed with β–Ni(OH)_2/MWCNTs as positive electrode and KOH activated honeycomb-like porous carbon(K-PC) derived from banana fibers as negative electrode. Initially,the electrochemical performance of hydrothermally synthesized β–Ni(OH)_2/MWCNTs nanocomposite and K-PC was studied in a three-electrode system using 1 M KOH. These materials exhibited a specific capacitance(Cs) of 1327 F/g and 324 F/g respectively at a scan rate of 10 m V/s. Further, the AS device i.e.,β–Ni(OH)_2/MWCNTs//K-PC in 1 M KOH solution, demonstrated a Cs of 156 F/g at scan rate of 10 m V/s in a broad cell voltage of 0–2.2 V. The device demonstrated a good rate capability by maintaining a Cs of 59 F/g even at high current density(25 A/g). The device also offered high energy density of 63 Wh/kg with maximum power density of 5.2 kW/kg. The AS device exhibited excellent cycle life with 100% capacitance retention at 5000 th cycle at a high current density of 25 A/g. Two AS devices connected in series were employed for powering a pair of LEDs of different colors and also a mini fan.     

Flexible asymmetric supercapacitor based on MnO2 honeycomb structure

By controlling the electroplating time of solution containing Mn(Ac)₂, the MnO₂ nanosheets were self-assembled to the honeycomb structure and showed an excellent electrochemical performance in 1 mol/L Na₂SO₄ electrolyte. Via pairing with activated carbon as negative electrode, the capacitor could deliver a maximum energy density of 43.84 Wh/kg and a maximum power density of 6.62 kW/kg.     

A study of ion charge transfer on electrochemical behaviors of poly(vinylidene fluoride)-derived carbon electrodes

In this work, porous carbon with a high specific surface area as electrode materials for supercapacitors are obtained by a carbonization process at various temperatures from 700 °C to 1000 °C without activation process using poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) as a carbon precursor. The electrochemical performance is characterized by cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge–discharge cycling performance using two-electrode system in 6.0 M KOH as an aqueous electrolyte. The results indicate that carbonization temperature significantly affected the specific surface area and pore volume of the PVDF-derived carbons and their capacitive behavior. In particular, the electrochemical performance of the prepared PVDF-derived carbon is determined by both the electric double-layer capacitance and the pseudo-capacitance resulting from the residual surface functional groups on PVDF-derived carbons.     

Synthesis of nickel selenide thin films for high performance all-solid-state asymmetric supercapacitors

As a significant semiconductor, nickel selenide shows enormous potential and extensive application prospects in the field of sensor, photocatalysis and supercapacitor. In this paper, nickel selenide (Ni₃Se₂, NiSe) thin films were successfully fabricated on stainless-steel sheet using a facile, effective electrodeposition technique. The morphologies, microstructures and chemical compositions of the thin films are characterized systematically. Electrochemical tests exhibit that the Ni₃Se₂ and NiSe possess high specific capacitance of 581.1 F/g and 1644.7 F/g, respectively. A flexible, all-solid-state asymmetric supercapacitor is assembled by utilizing NiSe film as positive electrode and activated carbon as negative electrode. The solid device delivers a high areal capacitance of 27.0 mF/cm² at the current density of 0.7 mA/cm². The maximum volumetric energy density and power density of the NiSe//AC asymmetric SCs can achieve 0.26 mWh/cm³ and 33.35 mW/cm³, respectively. The device shows robust cycling stability with 84.6% capacitance retention after 10,000 cycles, outstanding flexibility and satisfactory mechanical stability. Moreover, two devices in series can light up a red light-emitting diode, which displayed great potential applications for energy storage.     

Polypyrrole/carbon supercapacitor electrode with remarkably enhanced high-temperature cycling stability by TiC nanoparticle inclusion

In the potential applications for electric vehicle and stand-alone renewable energy storage, supercapacitors are likely to constantly operate at elevate temperatures, and yet the study on high-temperature cycling behavior of conducting polymer-containing supercapactors is scarce. Polypyrrole (PPy) film, doped with p-toluenesulfonate, has been coated onto activated carbon (AC) electrode preform. Although the specific capacitance of the electrode is doubled, from 176 F/g to 352 F/g, with coating of 17.7 wt.% PPy, the capacitance lost nearly 60% after 10,000 cycles at 40 °C, in contrast to 20% loss at 25 °C. It is demonstrated that the problem of accelerated fading at high temperature is effectively alleviated, in conjunction with significant (up to 50%) improvement in power performance, by embedding conductive TiC nanoparticles within the PPy layer via co-electroplating. With addition of 1.7 wt.% of TiC in the composite electrode, the capacitance retains 92% of its initial capacitance under the same cycling condition (40 °C, 10,000 cycles). The enhanced high-temperature cycling stability has in part been attributed to the reduction in the mismatch of thermal expansion coefficient between the conducting polymer layer and the AC substrate.     

Flexible carbon membrane supercapacitor based on γ-cyclodextrin-MOF

Supercapacitors (SCs) with high energy density and power density are a research hotspot. Herein, we report a flexible porous carbon membrane supercapacitor prepared by electrospinning polyacrylonitrile (PAN) with γ-cyclodextrin-MOF (γ-CD-MOF) and then carbonizing at 900 °C. BET results showed that the supercapacitor retained the skeleton of γ-CD, γ-CD-MOF and the pores formed by the spun-fibers, which were 0.73, 1.09 and 23–186 nm, respectively, showing a high specific surface area of 134.7 m²/g. The hierarchically porous structures ensure rapid charge transfer and ion diffusion, resulting in the PAN/γ-CD-MOF carbon electrode with a high capacity of 283.3 F/g. Moreover, the supercapacitor had a high energy density up to 17.5 Wh/kg and power density up to 6 kW/kg. Significantly, it showed excellent cycle stability with a capacitance retention of 97.5% after 6000 cycles. This work provides a supramolecular strategy to construct a flexible porous carbon membrane, which has potential for supercapacitor applications.     

The superior electrochemical performance of oxygen-rich activated carbons prepared from bituminous coal

Oxygen-rich activated carbons (OAC) were prepared from bituminous coal through a quick KOH activation. OAC exhibited a moderately large surface area of 1950 m²/g, a relative wide pore size distribution, good conductivity and very high oxygen content (up to 12 wt.%). Compared with high surface area activated carbons prepared by the conventional KOH activation, OAC have superior capacitive behavior, power output and high energy density in electrochemical double layer capacitors (EDLC). OAC presented a high specific capacitance of 370 F/g in 3 M KOH electrolyte at a low current density of 50 mA/g and still remained 270 F/g even at a high current density of 20 A/g.     

Electrochemical supercapacitors based on novel hybrid materials made of carbon nanotubes and polyoxometalates

We have characterized symmetric solid-state supercapacitors in swagelok cells using film electrodes made of novel hybrid materials based on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNT) and phosphomolybdate polyanion (Cs-PMo12) with PVA as binder. These hybrid materials were carried out by Cs-PMo12 adhesion onto previously functionalized CNT, in order to disperse both components at a molecular level and use Cs-PMo12 as energy density enhancer in supercapacitor cells. Our results show high capacitance values (up to 285 F/g at I = 200 mA/g) due to the contribution of Cs-PMo12, which was revealed on the higher energy density values compared to pure CNT electrodes. Additionally, good stability was observed during 500 charge–discharge cycles for most hybrid electrodes. These preliminary results show a new approach to enhance energy density of double layer supercapacitor cells through the introduction of Cs-PMo12, whereas from a material science point of view these materials are innovative, and open the way to search for diverse applications aside from supercapacitors (sensors, catalysts, photovoltaic cells, etc.).     

多孔碳材料的化学气相后处理及其超级电容性能

以廉价的椰壳为原料制备了高比表面积的多孔碳材料,然后在密闭的反应釜中以硝酸蒸汽对多孔碳材料进行了后处理,制备了亲水性更好的多孔碳材料。采用扫描透射电子显微镜(TEM)、物理吸附、X射线粉末衍射(XRD)、拉曼光谱(Raman)和接触角测试对材料的微观形貌、孔道结构、组成和亲水性进行了表征,探究了不同温度下硝酸蒸汽对多孔碳材料的形貌、结构的影响,并采用循环伏安法、恒电流充放电法和交流阻抗法考察了多孔碳材料的超级电容性能。结果表明,经过硝酸蒸汽处理后的多孔碳材料的比表面积和孔体积均有所降低,且随着处理温度的升高,降低得更加明显,而亲水性却越来越好。电化学测试结果表明,经过100℃硝酸蒸汽处理的多孔碳材料(CSC-100)具有最佳的超级电容性能。在以6 mol·L^-1 KOH为电解液的三电极体系中,当电流密度为0.5 A·g^-1时CSC-100的比电容可达452.9 F·g^-1,而未经硝酸蒸汽处理的多孔碳材料(CSC)的比电容仅为350.4 F·g^-1。电容贡献分析表明CSC-100良好的亲水性和表面官能团不仅提高了双电层电容,也提高了赝电容。     

Striking capacitance of carbon/iodide interface

Exceptional electrochemical behavior of carbon/iodide interface has been demonstrated and successfully used in supercapacitor application. This efficient charge storage is based on specific sorption of iodide ions as well as stable reversible redox reactions connected with various possible oxidation states of iodine from ?1 to +5. An intriguing effect of iodide ions has been observed for positive electrode operating in a narrow range of potential and giving extremely high capacitance values exceeding 1840 F/g. As opposed to typical pseudocapacitance effects, which are often characterized by some diffusion limitations and observed only at moderate regimes, our two-electrode system can be loaded until 50 A/g supplying still 125 F/g. Amazing capacitance of carbon/iodide interface has also been confirmed during long-term cycling (over 10 000 cycles). For the first time, such an innovative electrochemical system was successfully used for supercapacitor performance. The iodide ions play a useful dual role, i.e. electrolytic solution with a good ionic conductivity as well as a source of pseudo-capacitive effects.     

混合盐活化胖大海基多孔炭的制备及超级电容器电极材料性能

利用浸泡后的胖大海为碳源, 氯化锌和氯化锂混合盐作为活化剂, 采用炭化胖大海(PC-1)、添加氯化锌(PC-2)或添加氯化锌/氯化锂(PC-3)的胖大海的方法制备了3种多孔碳材料, 并通过三电极体系测试电极材料的电化学性能。结果表明, 3种碳材料在电流密度为0.5 A/g的比电容分别为69、132和228 F/g; 当电流密度增加至10 A/g时, PC-3的比电容仍高达166 F/g, 具有良好的倍率性能。该实验表明, 通过氯化锌/氯化锂复合盐活化胖大海分级多孔碳可作为高性能超级电容器电极材料。     

Electrochemical characterization on cobalt sulfide for electrochemical supercapacitors

High capacitance at a high charge–discharge current density of 50 mA/cm² for a new type of electrochemical supercapacitor cobalt sulfide (CoS_x) have been studied for the first time. The CoS_x was prepared by a very simply chemical precipitation method. The electrochemical capacitance performance of this compound was investigated by cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and galvanostatic charge–discharge tests with a three-electrode system. The results show that CoS_x has excellent electrochemical capacitive characteristic with potential range −0.3 ∼ 0.35 V (versus SCE) in 6 M KOH solution. Charge–discharge behaviors have been observed with the highest specific capacitance values of 475 F/g at the current density of 5 mA/cm², even at the high current density of 50 mA/cm², CoS_x also shows the high specific capacitance values of 369 F/g.     

Hollow polyhedron structure of amorphous Ni-Co-S/Co(OH)_2 for high performance supercapacitors

In power storage technology,ion exchange is widely used to modify the electronic structures of electrode materials to stimulate their electrochemical properties.Here,we proposed a multistep ion exchange(cation exchange and anion exchange) strategy to synthesize amorphous Ni-Co-S and β-Co(OH)_2 hybrid nanomaterials with a hollow polyhedron structures.The synergistic effects of different components and the remarkable superiorities of hollow structure endow Ni-Co-S/Co(OH)_2 electrode with outstanding electrochemical performance,including ultra-high specific capacity(1440.0 C/g at 1 A/g),superior capacitance retention rate(79.1% retention at 20 A/g) and long operating lifespan(81.4% retention after5000 cycles).Moreover,the corresponding hybrid supercapacitor enjoys a high energy density of 58.4 Wh/kg at the power density of 0.8 kW/kg,and a decent cyclability that the capacitances are maintained at80.8% compared with the initial capacitance.This research presents a high-performance electrode material and provides a promising route for the construction of electrode materials for supercapacitors with both structural and component advantages.     

蟹壳基氮/氧共掺杂多孔炭的原位制备及其超级电容器性能

采用废弃蟹壳为碳源,KOH为活化剂原位制备了氮/氧共掺杂多孔炭,并研究其作为电极材料在超级电容器中的应用。 固定蟹壳与KOH的质量比为5:3,考察了煅烧温度对所得炭材料产率、孔结构和氮氧含量的影响。 结果表明,蟹壳基炭材料的孔结构和氮/氧含量可通过改变煅烧温度调变。 随着煅烧温度从500 ℃上升至700 ℃,多孔炭的比表面积和孔体积逐渐增大,而氮/氧含量随温度升高则降低。 采用循环伏安和恒流充放电对所得材料的电化学性能进行测试。 结果表明,所得多孔炭的电化学性能取决于其孔结构与氮/氧表面性质的协同作用,其中煅烧温度为600 ℃所得的多孔炭比表面积为612 m²/g,氮和氧含量分别为3.53%和32.8%,在50 mA/g的电流密度下比电容达到310 F/g,循环1000次比电容仍然保持95%以上,展现出良好的电化学性能。     

Highly N/O co-doped ultramicroporous carbons derived from nonporous metal-organic framework for high performance supercapacitors

A new nonporous Zn-based metal-organic framework (NPMOF) synthesized from a high nitrogen-containing rigid ligand was converted into porous carbon materials by direct carbonization without adding additional carbon sources. A series of NPMOF-derived porous carbons with very high N/O contents (24.1% for NPMOF-700, 20.2% for NPMOF-800, 15.1% for NPMOF-900) were prepared by adjusting the pyrolysis temperatures. The NPMOF-800 fabricated electrode exhibits a high capacitance of 220 F/g and extremely large surface area normalized capacitance of 57.7 μF/cm² compared to other reported MOF-derived porous carbon electrodes, which could be attributed to the abundant ultramicroporosity and high N/O co-doping. More importantly, symmetric supercapacitor assembled with the MOF-derived carbon manifests prominent stability, i.e., 99.1% capacitance retention after 10,000 cycles at 1.0 A/g. This simple preparation of MOF-derived porous carbon materials not only finds an application direction for a variety of porous or even nonporous MOFs, but also opens a way for the production of porous carbon materials for superior energy storage.