Functionalized graphene oxide/activated carbon from canola waste as sustainable nanomaterials to improve pseudocapacitance performance of the electroactive conductive polymer

Abstract

In this work, the electrochemical energy storage performance of activated carbon (AC) derived from canola waste (Can) was investigated as a supercapacitor (SC) electrode material. So, in an innovation, activated canola (Ac-Can) was combined with functionalized graphene oxide (FGO) in an optimal ratio. The functionalization of graphene oxide (GO) via Ketoconazole was performed applying a multi-step chemical method. Then, through the electropolymerization process, an ultra-thin film layer of poly ortho aminophenol (POAP) fabricated on the surface of the working electrode. The highly porous surface of the ternary nanocomposite (POAP/FGO/Ac-Can) is recognized through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images. Also, through Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis, the specific surface area (SSA) of Ac-Can was determined to be 2200 m2·g−1. The Cs of 1350.5 F·g−1 at a current density of 2 A·g−1 and retention of 96.2% initial capacitance after 5000 continuous charge-discharge cycles, verified the superior performance of the ternary nanocomposite. Consequently, this research reveals a clear horizon of biowaste-based materials with advantages such as cost-effectiveness, environmental friendliness, and sustainability.