Optimized mesopore design in ginkgo nuts-derived hyper-crosslinked porous carbon for enhancing supercapacitor
Pinghua Zhang1, Yangyang Li2, Jian Xiao3
1Key Laboratory of Coal Processing and Efficient Utilization, Ministry of Education, China University of Mining & Technology, Xuzhou 221116, Jiangsu, China; Anhui Key Laboratory of Spin Electron and Nanomaterials (Cultivating Base), Applied Research Institute of Natural Products, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Suzhou University, Suzhou, Anhui 234000, China.
Journal of Colloid and Interface Science
|December 14, 2024
Summary
Optimized Ginkgo nut-derived carbon materials exhibit enhanced supercapacitor performance. High surface area and hierarchical pores boost energy storage capacity and cycle life.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Energy Storage
Background:
- Supercapacitors are crucial for energy storage.
- Developing advanced carbon materials is key to improving supercapacitor performance.
- Ginkgo nuts offer a sustainable source for carbon-based materials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To enhance the capacitance performance of co-doped carbon-based supercapacitors.
- To optimize the mesoporous structure of Ginkgo nut-derived carbon materials.
- To investigate the potential of engineered carbon for advanced energy storage.
Main Methods:
- High-temperature pyrolysis of Ginkgo nuts.
- Potassium hydroxide (KOH) activation to engineer mesoporous structure.
- Fabrication of symmetric supercapacitors using GBHHPC-750-4 electrodes.
- Electrochemical characterization in EMIMBF4 electrolyte.
Main Results:
- GBHHPC-750-4 exhibited a 3D hierarchical porous structure with high surface area (3163.9 m²/g) and significant mesopore proportion (74.1%).
- The supercapacitor achieved a peak specific capacitance of 256 F/g at 1 A/g and an energy density of 118.2 Wh/kg.
- Excellent rate capability (63.6% retention from 0.5-20 A/g) and long cycle life (88.0% retention after 5000 cycles) were demonstrated.
Conclusions:
- Optimized mesoporous carbon derived from Ginkgo nuts shows significant potential for high-performance supercapacitors.
- The engineered porous structure and heteroatom doping are critical for enhanced electrochemical performance.
- This study highlights a sustainable approach to developing advanced materials for energy storage applications.


