Fabrication and Development of a Biomass-Based Supercapacitor with Enhanced Energy Storage Characteristics

Abstract

In this work, a raw carbon waste parali biomass is collected to develop a supercapacitor. The activated carbon developed is characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Field effect scanning electron microscope (FESEM), Energy dispersive spectroscope (EDS), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analyses. The porous and crystalline activated carbon achieved a remarkably high carbonaceous value of 99.85% carbon from 35.71% in raw state. The specific surface area obtained is 151.42 m2 g−1 and the porosity (average pore diameter) is 2–10 nm of the optimized activated carbon. The activated carbon is explored as electrode material for supercapacitor in aqueous electrolyte and the specific capacitance was found to be a maximum of 247 F g−1 at 1.2 A g−1 to a stable value of 180 F g−1 at 10 A g−1. The symmetrical supercapacitor device, featuring electrodes composed of carbon material, attains an impressive energy density of 54 Wh kg−1 along with outstanding coulombic efficiency and stability. The laboratory prototype supercapacitor has successfully powered consumer electronics, such as a DC (direct current) motor for 12.5 min and an LED (Light emitting diode) bulb for 14 min, on a single charge in each case.