Nanoarchitectonics of hydrothermal carbonized sugarcane juice-derived biochar for high supercapacitance and dye adsorption performance

Abstract

Here, we report the exfoliation of micron-sphere biochar to a few layers using the conventional KOH activation process. Micron-sphere biochar is obtained from hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) of sugarcane juice (Saccharum officinarum). HR-TEM and Raman spectroscopy studies revealed the conversion of micron-sphere biochar (MSB) to a few layers of biochar (FLB) in the activation process. BET characterization revealed FLB with a high surface area of 681.21 m2/g having mesopores. Consequently, an electrochemical study demonstrated excellent supercapacitor performance with a specific capacitance of 964.5 F/g and an energy density of 33.11 Wh/kg at a maximum power density of 936 W/kg. Batch adsorption studies showed rapid Methylene blue (MB) dye adsorption in 10 min. The equilibrium data analysis indicated the Langmuir adsorption isotherm with a correlation coefficient of 0.99. Evaluation of the kinetic models suggests that pseudo-second-order kinetics is the most appropriate model, implying that the adsorption of MB dye is primarily due to chemisorption. These findings suggest a Nanoarchitectonics of biochar into a few layers using traditional KOH activation, suitable for various applications.