A Short Review on the Electrochemical Performance of Hierarchical and Nitrogen-Doped Activated Biocarbon-Based Electrodes for Supercapacitors

Cheap and efficient carbon electrodes (CEs) for energy storage systems (ESS) such as supercapacitors (SCs) and batteries are an increasing priority issue, among other things, due to a globally increasing share of intermittent electricity production (solar and wind) and electrification of transport. The increasing consumption of portable and non-portable electronic devices justifies research that enables environmentally and economically sustainable production (materials, processing techniques, and product design) of products with a high electrochemical performance at an acceptable cost. Among all the currently explored CEs materials, biomass-based activated carbons (AC) present enormous potential due to their availability and low-cost, easy processing methods, physicochemical stability, and methods for self-doping. Nitrogen doping methods in CEs for SCs have been demonstrated to enhance its conductivities, surface wettability, and induced pseudocapacitance effect, thereby delivering improved energy/power densities with versatile properties. Herein, a short review is presented, focusing on the different types of natural carbon sources for preparing CEs towards the fabrication of SCs with high electrochemical performance. The influences of ACs' pore characteristics (micro and mesoporosity) and nitrogen doping on the overall electrochemical performance (EP) are addressed.

Utilization of Jujube Biomass to Prepare Biochar by Pyrolysis and Activation: Characterization, Adsorption Characteristics, and Mechanisms for Nitrogen

The rapid advancement of jujube industry has produced a large amount of jujube biomass waste, requiring the development of new methods for utilization of jujube resources. Herein, medium-temperature pyrolysis is employed to produce carbon materials from jujube waste in an oxygen-free environment. Ten types of jujube biochar (JB) are prepared by modifying different pyrolysis parameters, followed by physical activation. The physicochemical properties of JB are systematically characterized, and the adsorption characteristics of JB for NO₃⁻ and NH₄⁺ are evaluated via batch adsorption experiments. Furthermore, the pyrolysis and adsorption mechanisms are discussed. The results indicate that the C content, pH, and specific surface area of JB increase with an increase in the pyrolysis temperature from 300 °C to 700 °C, whereas the O and N contents, yield, zeta potential, and total functional groups of JB decrease gradually. The pyrolysis temperature more significantly effects the biochar properties than pyrolysis time. JB affords the highest adsorption capacity for NO₃⁻ (21.17 mg·g⁻¹) and NH₄⁺ (30.57 mg·g⁻¹) at 600 °C in 2 h. The Langmuir and pseudo-second-order models suitably describe the isothermal and kinetic adsorption processes, respectively. The NO₃⁻ and NH₄⁺ adsorption mechanisms of JB may include surface adsorption, intraparticle diffusion, electrostatic interaction, and ion exchange. In addition, π–π interaction and surface complexation may also be involved in NH₄⁺ adsorption. The pyrolysis mechanism comprises the combination of hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin decomposition involving three stages. This study is expected to provide a theoretical and practical basis for the efficient utilization of jujube biomass to develop eco-friendly biochar and nitrogenous wastewater pollution prevention.

Electrochemical energy storage electrodes from fruit biochar

This review investigates the electrochemical energy storage electrode (EESE) as the most important part of the electrochemical energy storage devices (EES) prepared from fruit-derived carbon. The EES devices include batteries, supercapacitors, and hybrid devices that have various regular and advanced applications. The preparation of EESE from fruit wastes not only reduce the price of the electrode but also lead to enhance the electrochemical properties of the electrode. The astonishing results of fruits biochar at electrochemical analyses guarantee the performance of these electrodes as EESE. Also, using fruit waste as the precursor of the EESE due to protect the environment and reduce environmental pollutions.

Introducing catalytic gasification into chemical activation for the conversion of natural coal into hierarchically porous carbons with broadened pore size for enhanced supercapacitive utilization

Focusing on engineering the pore structure of porous carbons for enhanced supercapacitive performances, a new type of coal derived hierarchically porous carbon which is synthesized by introducing a catalytic gasification mechanism into an often-utilized chemical activation process is demonstrated. Such a strategy skillfully employs the catalytic effects of the minerals in natural coal on the etching reaction between CO2 molecules and carbon framework, which easily widen the pore size of well-developed micropores, thereby yielding a hierarchical pore configuration with simultaneously high surface area, large pore volume as well as broadened pore size distribution. The enhanced pore development mechanism is elucidated by a series of control experiments and thermogravimetric analysis. Evaluated as supercapacitor electrode materials, the resulting HPC exhibits state-of-the-art supercapacitive performances in both aqueous and non-aqueous electrolytes, particularly the superior rate capabilities, which highlights the favorable role of broadened pore configuration in facilitating electrolyte ion transfer and storage. Combining with the naturally abundant carbon resource and easily-implemented preparation craft, the as-obtained coal transferred hierarchically porous carbons hold great potentials for industrial production and supercapacitor applications.