Activated carbon and its hybrid composites with manganese (IV) oxide as effectual electrode materials for high performance supercapacitor

Waste wood-dust of Dalbergia sisoo (Sisau) is presented, as a novel, low-cost, renewable, and sustainable source of agro-waste for the production of a highly porous activated carbon electrodes (Ds-electrodes) for supercapacitor. Ds-electrode was initially tested as supercapacitor electrode, which showed a lesser specific capacitance of 104.4 Fg^?1. Therefore, hybrid-composite-electrodes (HCEs) were fabricated by adopting the nanostructured “manganese IV oxide (MnO₂)-activated carbon (Ds) composite” in various ratios as the core electrode materials. The HCEs was prepared via a simple facile mechanical mixing method and polyvinylidine fluoride (PVDF) polymeric solution was used as the electrode material binder. The experimental results showed that the 1:1 Ds: MnO₂ composite displayed highest specific capacitance of 300.2 Fg^?1, capacity retention of 96.3 % after 1000 cycles, 16.3 WhKg^?1 of specific energy density at power density of 148.2 WKg^?1 and low equivalent series resistance (ESR) value of 0.41 Ω at equivalent (1:1, Ds:MnO₂) loading of MnO₂ to Ds. It is clear that the equivalent (1:1) concentration of MnO₂ has improved the capacitive performance of the composite via pseudocapacitance charge storage mechanism as well as the enhancement on the specific surface area of the electrode. However, further increasing of the MnO₂ content (1:2, Ds:MnO₂) in the electrode was found to distort the capacitive performances and deteriorate the specific surface area of the electrode, mainly due to the aggregation of the MnO₂ particles within the composite.     

Analysis of graphene-like activated carbon derived from rice straw for application in supercapacitor

Activated carbons with large surface area, abundant microporosity and low cost are the most commonly used electrode materials for energy storage devices. A very slack activated carbon with ultra-thin two-dimensional (2D) layer structure was prepared by our proposed approach in this work, which includes a pre-treatment process and potassium hydroxide activation at high temperatures.     

High performance pliable supercapacitor fabricated using activated carbon nanospheres intercalated into boron nitride nanoplates by pulsed laser ablation technique

Pliable supercapacitor, yielding specific capacitance (C_s) and energy density as high as 348 F g⁻¹ and 48.3 Wh Kg⁻¹ respectively was fabricated using modified activated carbon electrodes. The nanospheres of activated carbon (AC) were anchored on the nanoplates of boron nitride (BN) by employing the facile technique of pulsed laser ablation in liquid (PLAL) using 532 nm focused laser beam. Four different variants of electrode materials were synthesized by varying the weight percentage (1%, 3%, 5% and 10%) of BN in AC in the PLAL precursor solution. The morphological characteristics, the elemental composition and the structural analysis of the synthesized electrode materials were studied respectively by FESEM, XPS and XRD. The morphological studies indicated that the PLAL synthesis of the electrode materials resulted in proper intercalation of carbon nanospheres into BN nanoplates, which resulted in the observed enhanced performance of the fabricated supercapacitor. Four supercapacitors in this work were fabricated using the four variants of synthesized electrode materials in conjunction with gel polymer electrolyte (GPE). GPE are well known for their non-corrosive nature and best sealing ability to avoid any leakage that results in increasing the cycle life of the device. The performance of the fabricated supercapacitors was evaluated using cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge discharge (GCD) measurement and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The results indicate that the supercapacitor fabricated using 3% BN in AC as electrode material manifested the best specific capacitance and energy density. Also it was found that the supercapacitor maintained 85% of its initial capacitance even after 5000 charge/discharge cycles.     

Electrochemical properties of nanoporous carbon electrodes in various nonaqueous electrolytes

Electrical double layer and electrochemical characteristics at the nanoporous carbon|acetonitrile interface with additions of Et₄NBF₄, Et₃MeNBF₄, EtMe₃NBF₄, LiClO₄, and LiBF₄ have been studied by cyclic voltammetry and impedance spectroscopy methods. A value of zero charge potential, dependent on the structure of the cations as well as on the composition of the anions, the region of ideal polarizability, and other characteristics has been established. Analysis of the complex plane plots shows that the nanoporous carbon|acetonitrile+0.1 M electrolyte (Et₄NBF₄, Et₃MeNBF₄, or EtMe₃NBF₄) interface can be simulated by the equivalent circuit, in which the two parallel conduction parts in the solid and liquid phases are interconnected by the double layer capacitance in parallel with the complex admittance of the hindered reaction of the charge transfer process or of the partial charge transfer (i.e. adsorption stage limited) process. The values of the characteristic frequency depend on the electrolyte composition and on the electrode potential, i.e. on the nature of the ions adsorbed at the surface of the nanoporous carbon electrode. In the region of moderate a.c. frequencies, the modified Randles-like equivalent circuit has been used for simulation of the complex plane plots. In the region of negative surface charge densities, the intercalation process of Li⁺ ions from LiClO₄ and LiBF₄ solutions into the surface film is possible and these data can be simulated using the modified Ho et al. model or Meyer et al. model. Electronic Publication     

Performance of PbO2/activated carbon hybrid supercapacitor with carbon foam substrate

PbO₂/activated carbon（AC） hybrid supercapacitor in H₂SO₄ with a carbon foam current collector is studied.The PbO₂/AC hybrid is designed with electrodeposited PbO₂ thin film as positive electrode to match with AC negative electrode.The discharge curve shows capacitive characteristics between 1.88 V and 0.65 V.The hybrid system exhibits excellent energy and power performance,with specific energy of 43.6 Wh/kg at a power density of 654.2 W/kg.The use of carbon foam current collector ensures stability of the PbO₂ electrode in H₂SO₄ environment.After 2600 deep cycles at 15 C high rate of charge/discharge,the capacity remains nearly unchanged from its initial value.     

Temperature stability of symmetric activated carbon supercapacitors assembled with in situ electrodeposited poly(vinyl alcohol) potassium borate hydrogel electrolyte

Temperature stability of symmetric activated carbon (AC) supercapacitors (SCs) assembled with in situ electrodeposited poly(vinyl alcohol) potassium borate hydrogel electrolyte was systematically studied and compared with that of AC SCs assembled with liquid aqueous electrolytes in the temperature range from -5℃ to 80℃.     

活性炭基软包装超级电容器用有机电解液

使用了一种新型的有机电解液(三乙基甲基四氟硼酸铵/(丙烯碳酸酯+乙腈): MeEt₃NBF₄/(AN+PC))和两种传统有机电解液(四乙基四氟硼酸铵/丙烯碳酸酯(Et₄NBF₄/AN)和四乙基四氟硼酸/乙腈(Et₄NBF₄/PC)), 制作成活性炭(AC)基软包装超级电容器. 在不同电压窗口下对新型有机电解液的循环伏安和电化学阻抗谱进行了表征, 并在0-3 V的电压窗口下, 通过循环伏安、电化学阻抗谱、恒流充放电、漏电流、自放电、循环寿命和库仑效率, 对以上三种电解液进行了综合的比较. 结果表明, 新型有机电解液综合了AN和PC各自的优点, 性能优异.     

N-doped honeycomb-like porous carbon towards high-performance supercapacitor

Biomass-derived porous carbon with developed pore structure is critical to achieving high performance electrode materials. In this work, we report a grape-based honeycomb-like porous carbon (GHPC) prepared by KOH activation and carbonization, followed by N-doping (NGHPC). The obtained NGHPC exhibits a unique honeycomb-like structure with hierarchically interconnected micro/mesopores, and high specific surface area of 1268 m²/g. As a supercapacitor electrode, the NGPHC electrode exhibits a remarkable specific capacitance of 275 F/g at 0.5 A/g in a three-electrode cell. Moreover, the NGHPC//NGHPC symmetric supercapacitor displays a high energy density of 12.6 Wh/kg, and excellent cycling stability of approximately 95.2% capacitance retention after 5000 cycles at 5 A/g. The excellent electrochemical performance of NGHPC is ascribed to its high specific surface area, honeycomb-like structure and high-content of pyrodinic-N (36.29%). It is believed that grape-based carbon materials show great potential as advanced electrode materials for supercapacitors.     

Influence of nanoporous carbon electrode thickness on the electrochemical characteristics of a nanoporous carbon|tetraethylammonium tetrafluoroborate in acetonitrile solution interface

Electrochemical characteristics for the nanoporous carbon|Et₄NBF₄+acetonitrile interface have been studied by cyclic voltammetry and impedance spectroscopy methods. The influence of the electrolyte concentration and thickness of the nanoporous electrode material on the shape of the cyclic voltammetry and impedance curves has been established and the reasons for these phenomena are discussed. A value of zero charge potential, depending slightly on the structure and concentration of the electrolyte, the region of ideal polarizability and other characteristics have been established. The nanoporous nature of the carbon electrodes introduces a distribution of resistive and capacitive elements, giving rise to complicated electrochemical behaviour. Analysis of the complex plane plots shows that the nanoporous carbon|Et₄NBF₄+acetonitrile electrolyte interface can be simulated by an equivalent circuit, in which two parallel conduction paths in the solid and liquid phases are interconnected by the double-layer capacitance in parallel with the complex admittance of the hindered reaction of the charge transfer or of the partial charge transfer (i.e. adsorption stage limited) process. The values of the characteristic frequency depend on the electrolyte concentration and electrode potential, i.e. on the nature of the ions adsorbed at the surface of the nanoporous carbon electrode. The value of the solid state phase resistance established is independent of the thickness of the electrode material.     

Surface modification by graphene oxide:An efficient strategy to improve the performance of activated carbon based supercapacitors

An efficient and cost-effective strategy to modificate the surface of active carbon (AC), form a 3D-conductive network, and therefore improve the electrochemical performance of AC based supercapacitor was developed.     

Adsorption of anthracene using activated carbon and Posidonia oceanica

The aim of this work was to examine the static capacity of adsorption of anthracene by Posidonia oceanica and activated carbon. The effect of experimental parameters pH and contact time on the anthracene adsorption onto cited materials was investigated in detail. The results showed that the anthracene removal on both P. oceanica and activated carbon was unaffected in the pH range of 2–12. The equilibrium data fit well to the Langmuir model with a maximum adsorption capacity of 8.35 mg/g and 0.14 mg/g, respectively with activated carbon and P. oceanica.     

A biomass carbon material with microtubule bundling and natural O-doping derived from goldenberry calyx and its electrochemical performance in supercapacitor

A promising biomass carbon material,manufactured by the carbonation of Physalis peruviana L.calyx at 700℃,is presented in this wo rk.Morphology characterization shows that the carbon material possesses long microtubule bundling and above 30%natural O-atom component on the surface.After KOH chemical etching,the materials maintain the oxygen content but exhibit more micropores and higher specific surface area up to 1732.6 m^2/g.Using as an electrode material for supercapacitor,the active carbon material exhibits high specific capacitance up to 339.7 F/g at 0.5 A/g in 3 mol/L KOH aqueous solution through three-electrode system.The active carbon material also exhibits excellent cycling stability(97%retention)by 10,000 cycles at 10 A/g.The outstanding electrochemical performances are attributing to the unique long microtubule bundling with much more pores and the abundant Oelement on the surface.This biomass carbon material with excellent electrochemical properties could be a useful material for multiple applications.     

Surface and chemical characteristics of platinum modified activated carbon electrodes and their electrochemical performance

Platinum (Pt) loaded activated carbons (ACs) were synthesized by the thermal decomposition of platinum (II) acetylacetonate (Pt(acac)₂) over chemically activated glucose-based biochar. The effect of Pt loading on surface area, pore characteristics, surface chemistry, chemical structure, and surface morphology were determined by various techniques. XPS studies proved the presence of metallic Pt⁰ on the AC surface. The graphitization degree of Pt loaded ACs were increased with the loaded Pt⁰ amount. The electrochemical performance of the Pt-loaded ACs (Pt@AC) was determined not only by the conventional three-electrode system but also by packaged supercapacitors in CR2032 casings. The capacitive performance of Pt@AC electrodes was investigated via cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge-discharge curves (GCD), and impedance spectroscopy (EIS). It was found that the Pt loading increased the specific capacitance from 51 F/g to 100 F/g. The ESR drop of the packaged cell decreased with the Pt loading due to the fast flow of charge through the conductive pathways. The results showed that the surface chemistry is more dominant than the surface area for determining the capacitive performance of Pt loaded AC-based packaged supercapacitors.     

Improving the electrochemical performances of active carbon-based supercapacitors through the combination of introducing functional groups and using redox additive electrolyte

High-performance and low-cost electrochemical capacitors (ECs) are essential for large-scale applications in energy storage. In this work, the specific capacitance of active carbon (AC) electrode was significantly improved through the combination of introducing functional groups on the surface of AC and adding redox-active molecules (K₃Fe(CN)₆) into 2?M KOH aqueous electrolytes. The surface-oxygen functionalized AC (FAC) was synthesized using HNO₃ echoed as the electrode and 2?M KOH with 0.1?M K₃Fe(CN)₆ as the electrolyte. The surface functional groups of the AC not only contribute to the pseudocapacitance but also increase the active sites of the electrode/electrolyte interface, which enhances the electrochemical activity of the Fe(CN)₆^3?/Fe(CN)₆^4? redox pair, thus leading to high capacitance. In the redox electrolyte, the specific capacitance was much higher in 229.17?F?g^?1 (1?A?g^?1) achieved for those FAC than in raw AC (only 147.06?F?g^?1). Similarly, the FAC electrode suggested high energy density and extended cycling stability in the KOH?+?K₃Fe(CN)₆ electrolyte.     

Self-regeneration of activated carbon modified with palladium catalyst for electrochemical dechlorination

Catalyst regeneration and the retention of high catalytic activity are still the critical issues in environmental application.A novel fluidized gas-liquid-solid electrochemical reactor was developed to simultaneously remove chlorinated pollutants and in situ regenerate the spent catalyst.Activated carbon modified with palladium catalyst (AC-Pd) was prepared for electrochemical dechlorination.For the 4-chloropbenol wastewater of initial concentration 200 mg L~(-1),the removal efficiency could nearly reach 100% in less than 30 min.Catalytic activity of AC-Pd catalyst was preserved effectively even in consecutive cycling run without special regeneration.OH radicals,generated by electrochemical reaction,played a critical role in self-regeneration of AC-Pd.High catalytic activity of spent AC-Pd catalyst provided an attractive alternative in wastewater treatment.     

Atenolol sequestration using activated carbon derived from gasified Glyricidia sepium

Activated carbon (AC) derived from gasified Glyricidia sepium woodchip (GGSWAC) was prepared using KOH and CO₂ activation via microwave radiation technique to remove atenolol (ATN) from aqueous solution. The surface area (S_BET) and total pore volume (TPV) of GGSWAC were 483.07 m²/g and 0.255 cm³, respectively. The n-BET model fits well with the isothermal data indicating a multilayer adsorption with the saturation capacity of 121, 143 and 163 mg/g at 30, 45 and 60 °C, respectively. The kinetic study showed that ATN adsorption followed Avrami model equation (R² ≅ 0.99). Based on the thermodynamic parameters, the adsorption of ATN onto GGSWAC was endothermic (ΔH_S = 234.17 kJ/mol) in the first layer of adsorption and exothermic in the subsequent layer (ΔH_L = −165.62 kJ/mol). The ATN adsorption was controlled by both diffusion and chemisorption. In continuous operation, the Thomas (R² = 0.9822) and Yoon–Nelson (R² = 0.9817) models successfully predicted the ATN adsorption.     

Preparation and electrochemical performance of activated carbon thin films with polyethylene oxide-salt addition for electrochemical capacitor applications

The effect of polymer–salt addition in the activated carbon electrode for electric double-layer capacitor (EDLC) has been investigated. A series of composite thin film electrode consisting of activated carbon, carbon black, polytetrafluoroethylene and polymer–salt complex (polyethyleneoxide–LiClO₄) with an appropriate weight ratio were prepared and examined their performance for EDLCs using 1 mol L⁻¹ LiClO₄ in ethylene carbonate:diethylcarbonate electrolyte solution. The electrochemical capacitance performances of these electrodes with different compositions were characterized by cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge–discharge cycling, and AC impedance measurements. By comparison, the best results were obtained with a composite electrode rich in polymer–salt additive (132 F g⁻¹ at 100 mA g⁻¹ of galvanostatic experiment). In general, the polymer–salt-containing electrode had shown improved performance over activated carbon electrodes without polymer–salt at high current density.     

Efficient and green tetrahydropyranylation and deprotection of alcohols and phenols by using activated carbon supported sulfuric acid

A simple, green and efficient method for the DHP protection of various alcohols and phenols and the subsequent removal of the corresponding protective group in the presence of a catalytic amount of the activated carbon supported H2SO4 is described.     

Microwave-assisted synthesis and electrochemical capacitance of polyaniline/multi-wall carbon nanotubes composite

Polyaniline/multi-wall carbon nanotubes composite (PANI/MWNTs) was rapidly synthesized by microwave-assisted polymerization. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) image revealed that this composite was a core–shell structure with PANI layers (50–70 nm). Electrochemical behavior of the composite was evaluated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and galvanostatic charge–discharge tests with a two-electrode system. An enhanced specific capacitance of 322 F/g with a specific energy density of 22 W h/kg was about 12 times that of MWNTs. This composite also exhibited a good rate capability, retaining up to 87% of initial capacity at a current density of 5 mA/cm².     

Modification of activated carbon porosity by pyrolysis under pressure of organic compounds

Co-pyrolysis at relatively low temperature (673 K) and high pressure (10 MPa), using three organic compounds, was used to modify the porosity of the two ACs. The co-pyrolysis is effective for the modification of the porosity of an AC, and the efficiency depends on the organic compound used. The differences found are consequence of the chemical composition of the organic precursor. High pressure pyrolysis produces beneficial results when an organic compound that volatilizes during the preparation is used. Conducting pyrolysis at low temperature permits improved control of the porosity because the rate of gasification can be more tightly controlled.