Xerogel-like Materials from Sustainable Sources: Properties and Electrochemical Performances

Gisele Amaral-Labat, Manuella Gobbo C. Munhoz, Beatriz Carvalho da Silva Fonseca, Alan Fernando Ney Boss, Patricia de Almeida-Mattos, Flavia Lega Braghiroli, Hassine Bouafif, Ahmed Koubaa, Guilherme F. B. Lenz e Silva and Maurício Ribeiro Baldan
Additional contact information
Gisele Amaral-Labat: Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais, Av. dos Astronautas, 1758, Jardim da Granja, São José dos Campos 12227-010, SP, Brazil
Manuella Gobbo C. Munhoz: Departamento de Engenharia Metalúrgica e de Materiais (PMT), Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Avenida Mello Moraes, 2463, Cidade Universitária, São Paulo 05508-030, SP, Brazil
Beatriz Carvalho da Silva Fonseca: Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais, Av. dos Astronautas, 1758, Jardim da Granja, São José dos Campos 12227-010, SP, Brazil
Alan Fernando Ney Boss: Departamento de Engenharia Metalúrgica e de Materiais (PMT), Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Avenida Mello Moraes, 2463, Cidade Universitária, São Paulo 05508-030, SP, Brazil
Patricia de Almeida-Mattos: Departamento de Engenharia Metalúrgica e de Materiais (PMT), Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Avenida Mello Moraes, 2463, Cidade Universitária, São Paulo 05508-030, SP, Brazil
Flavia Lega Braghiroli: Centre Technologique des Résidus Industriels, Cégep de l’Abitibi-Témiscamingue, 425 Boul. du Collège, Rouyn-Noranda, QC J9X 5E5, Canada
Hassine Bouafif: Centre Technologique des Résidus Industriels, Cégep de l’Abitibi-Témiscamingue, 425 Boul. du Collège, Rouyn-Noranda, QC J9X 5E5, Canada
Ahmed Koubaa: Institut de recherche sur les forêts, Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue, 445 Boul. University, Rouyn-Noranda, QC J9X 5E4, Canada
Guilherme F. B. Lenz e Silva: Departamento de Engenharia Metalúrgica e de Materiais (PMT), Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Avenida Mello Moraes, 2463, Cidade Universitária, São Paulo 05508-030, SP, Brazil
Maurício Ribeiro Baldan: Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais, Av. dos Astronautas, 1758, Jardim da Granja, São José dos Campos 12227-010, SP, Brazil

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 23, 1-14

Abstract: Energy storage is currently one of the most significant technological challenges globally, and supercapacitor is a prominent candidate over batteries due to its ability for fast charging and long lifetime. Supercapacitors typically use porous carbon as electrodes, because of both the high conductivity and surface area of the material. However, the state-of-the-art porous carbon described in the literature uses toxic chemicals and complex procedures that enhance costs and pollute the environment. Thus, a more sustainable procedure to produce porous carbon is highly desirable. In this context, xerogel-like carbons were prepared by a new, cheap, simple route to polymerization reactions of tannin-formaldehyde in a bio-oil by-product. Using bio-oil in its natural pH allowed a cost reduction and avoided using new reactants to change the reactional medium. Textural properties and electrochemical performances were improved by fast activating the material per 20 min. The non-activated carbon xerogel presented a capacitance of 92 F/g, while the activated one had 132 F/g, given that 77% of the components used are eco-friendly. These results demonstrate that renewable materials may find applications as carbon electrodes for supercapacitors. Overhauling the synthesis route with a different pH or replacing formaldehyde may enhance performance or provide a 100% sustainable carbon electrode.

Keywords: xerogel-like materials; tannin; bio-oil; biosourced porous carbon; electrochemical performances (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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