Coconut Shell-Derived Activated Carbon for High-Performance Solid-State Supercapacitors

Kuan-Ching Lee, Mitchell Shyan Wei Lim, Zhong-Yun Hong, Siewhui Chong, Timm Joyce Tiong, Guan-Ting Pan and Chao-Ming Huang
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Kuan-Ching Lee: Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Nottingham Malaysia, Jalan Broga 43500, Malaysia
Mitchell Shyan Wei Lim: Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Nottingham Malaysia, Jalan Broga 43500, Malaysia
Zhong-Yun Hong: Green Energy Technology Research Center and Department of Materials Engineering, Kun Shan University, Tainan 710, Taiwan
Siewhui Chong: Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Nottingham Malaysia, Jalan Broga 43500, Malaysia
Timm Joyce Tiong: Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Nottingham Malaysia, Jalan Broga 43500, Malaysia
Guan-Ting Pan: Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, National Taipei University of Technology, Taipei 106, Taiwan
Chao-Ming Huang: Green Energy Technology Research Center and Department of Materials Engineering, Kun Shan University, Tainan 710, Taiwan

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 15, 1-11

Abstract: Coconut shells, low-cost and renewable agro-wastes, were used as a starting material in the synthesis of hierarchical activated carbons via hydrothermal, KOH-activation, and carbonization techniques. The ratio of KOH to hydrochar was varied in a systemic manner to study how it influences the texture and electrochemical behavior of the capacitor. Coconut shell-based carbon coated on nickel foams presented a surface area of 1567 m 2 g −1 , with micropores as well as mesopores widely distributed. The sample showed superior electrochemical performance, attaining 449 F g −1 at 1 A g −1 in 6 M LiNO 3 aqueous solution. The solid-state symmetric supercapacitor device delivered a specific capacitance of 88 F g −1 at 1 A g −1 and a high energy density of 48.9 Whkg −1 at a power density of 1 kW kg −1 . At a wide voltage window of 2.0 V, the sample was highly stable during the cycle test, showing a 92% capacitance retention at 2 A g −1 after cycling for 5000 times. The superior performance is due to the sample possessing great BET surface area, a good distribution of pores, and the usage of a suitable electrolyte. This facilitates an electrical double layer that can be deployed for applications to store energy.

Keywords: coconut shell; activated carbon; hydrothermal synthesis; solid state supercapacitor (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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