From Waste to Power: Developing Structural Supercapacitors with Red Mud and Jute Stick.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Sustainable Engineering

Background:

• Developing sustainable energy storage is vital for modern infrastructure.
• Red mud (RM) is an abundant industrial waste with potential for material applications.
• Activated carbon from biomass offers a green alternative for electrode materials.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the use of red mud as an electrolyte and separator in supercapacitors.
• To evaluate the performance and stability of supercapacitors incorporating red mud and jute-derived activated carbon.
• To assess the impact of red mud on the structural properties of the supercapacitor components.

Main Methods:

• Red mud (RM) was processed for use as an electrolyte and separator.
• Activated carbon from jute sticks (JC) was coated onto steel mesh electrodes.
• Supercapacitor cells were fabricated using RM-enhanced components.
• Electrochemical performance was characterized using cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge-discharge (GCD), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.
• Mechanical properties (modulus of elasticity, tensile strength, compressive strength) were tested.

Main Results:

• The optimal red mud content was determined to be 20% by weight.
• Incorporating RM enhanced mechanical properties: modulus of elasticity (+33%), tensile strength (+3%), and compressive strength (+10%).
• The supercapacitor cell achieved an extended potential of 1.5 V, a specific capacitance of 62.3 F/g, and an energy density of 19.5 Wh/kg.
• The device demonstrated a power density of 301.8 W/kg at 0.4 A/g and a maximum power density of 605.8 W/kg at 0.8 A/g.
• The cell retained 77% of its capacitance after 450 GCD cycles, indicating good stability.

Conclusions:

• Red mud is a viable and effective material for supercapacitor electrolytes and separators.
• The synergistic combination of jute-derived activated carbon and red mud leads to enhanced energy storage performance and mechanical integrity.
• This research presents a cost-efficient and eco-friendly approach to developing advanced supercapacitors from waste materials.