Asymmetric Supercapacitor Based on Biomass-Derived Carbon Electrodes Functionalized with NdFeB

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Sustainable Energy

Background:

• Supercapacitors (SCs) are crucial energy storage devices.
• Research emphasizes utilizing waste materials to minimize environmental impact.
• Biowaste valorization offers a sustainable route for advanced material production.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop mesoporous activated carbon (AC) from brewery biowaste for SC electrodes.
• To enhance AC performance by incorporating polyaniline (PANI) and NdFeB particles.
• To evaluate the electrochemical performance of AC-based materials and asymmetrical SCs.

Main Methods:

• Processing brewery biowaste to create mesoporous activated carbon (AC).
• Synthesizing polyaniline (PANI) and integrating it with AC (ACP).
• Incorporating NdFeB particles into AC (ACN) for anode fabrication.
• Fabricating and testing an asymmetrical ACN//ACP supercapacitor cell.

Main Results:

• The AC and PANI composite (ACP) exhibited a specific capacitance of 173.7 F/g at 1 A/g with 92% retention after 5000 cycles.
• The NdFeB-containing anode (ACN) showed a specific capacitance of 127 F/g and over 99% retention.
• The asymmetrical ACN//ACP cell achieved 70% efficiency, demonstrating promising performance.

Conclusions:

• Brewery biowaste can be effectively converted into high-performance activated carbon for supercapacitors.
• The synergistic combination of AC with PANI or NdFeB significantly enhances electrochemical properties.
• This approach offers a sustainable and efficient pathway for developing advanced energy storage solutions.