Enzyme catalysis facilitates multi-heteroatom engineering: a green path for high-performance biomass-derived...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Wood is a renewable resource, primarily cellulose, with potential for high-value applications.
• Efficient utilization of wood-derived materials is crucial for sustainable development.
• Biological enzymes play a key role in natural wood regeneration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the efficient and high-value utilization of wood as a raw material.
• To develop a novel carbon electrode material for supercapacitors using enzymatic treatment.
• To investigate the performance of wood-derived carbon materials modified with nitrogen and manganese.

Main Methods:

• Paulownia wood was pretreated with cellulase to create a carbon skeleton.
• The specific surface area of the wood-derived material was significantly increased.
• Nitrogen (N) and manganese (Mn) elements were loaded onto the enzymatically hydrolyzed wood carbon.
• Electrochemical performance was tested in neutral and alkaline three-electrode systems.
• Supercapacitors were assembled and tested for energy density and cycling stability.

Main Results:

• Cellulase treatment increased the specific surface area from 4.1 to 625.4 m² g⁻¹.
• The prepared carbon electrode material achieved high specific capacitance (5944.0 mF cm⁻² in neutral, 20.0 F cm⁻² in alkaline media).
• Supercapacitors showed an energy density of 11.6 Wh kg⁻¹ and 89.0% capacitance retention after 10,000 cycles.

Conclusions:

• Cellulase is effective for green activation treatment of wood-based porous carbon.
• Enzyme engineering offers promising avenues for materials development.
• This strategy can be extended to other renewable resources for eco-friendly supercapacitor electrode preparation.