Abstract
The ongoing research toward meeting global energy demands requires novel materials from abundant renewable resources. This work involves an investigation on nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes (N-CNTs) synthesized from relatively low-cost and readily available biomass as carbon precursors and their use as electrodes for supercapacitors. The influence of the ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride, or its combination with either sugarcane bagasse or cellulose (IL-CNTs, ILBag-CNTs, and ILCel-CNTs, respectively), in the synthesis of N-CNTs and the resultant effect on their physical and electrochemical properties was studied. Systematic characterizations of the N-CNTs employing transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), elemental analysis, nitrogen sorption analysis, cyclic voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were performed. TEM data analysis showed that the mean outer diameters decreased, in the order of IL-CNTs > ILBag-CNTs > ILCel-CNTs. The N-CNTs possess only pyridinic and pyrrolic nitrogen-doping moieties. The pyridinic nitrogen-doping content is lowest in IL-CNTs and highest in ILCel-CNTs. The N-CNTs are mesoporous with surface areas in the range of 21–52 m2 g−1. The ILCel-CNTs had the highest specific capacitance of 30 F g−1, while IL-CNTs has the least, 10 F g−1. The source of biomass is beneficial for tuning physicochemical properties such as the size and surface areas of N-CNTs, the pyridinic nitrogen-doping content, and ultimately capacitance, leading to materials with excellent properties for electrochemical applications.
Highlights
Across the globe, the quest for sustainable energy supply has seen societies moving from the extensive usage of petroleum to renewable sources of energy, with active research still ongoing [1]
Our current work focuses on studying the electrochemical performance of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) synthesized using renewable raw materials, namely sugarcane bagasse or cellulose, in combination with ferrocene and an ionic liquid, namely, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([C4 MIM]Cl)
All materials and methods employed are stated, and experimental details are provided in subsequent sections under sample preparation, characterization, and electrochemical measurements
Summary
The quest for sustainable energy supply has seen societies moving from the extensive usage of petroleum to renewable sources of energy, with active research still ongoing [1]. The power converted from the sun is amassed using energy storage devices such as batteries and supercapacitors. Supercapacitors possess higher energy-storage and power-delivery capability than batteries [5]. They are suitable for use in devices where there is a great power demand at relatively short periods. Supercapacitors are associated with a longer life cycle, fast charge and discharge rates coupled with low internal resistance [5]. They are suitable for applications that require storing high current transient electrical surges to improve the Sustainability 2021, 13, 2977.
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