Sustainable Materials for Electrochemcial Capacitors

18Biomass-Derived Carbon for Supercapacitors

Priyadharshini M., Pazhanivel T.* and Hariprasath K. R.

Smart Materials Interface Laboratory, Department of Physics, Periyar University, Salem, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

This chapter describes the fundamental sources and constituents of different types of biomass and signifies the importance of biomass-derived activated carbon for supercapacitor application. Moreover, a detailed description of synthesis and application of a few major sources like plant animal and microorganism-derived carbon as electrodes reported in the literature were summarized. The advantages, limitations and its ability to meet the requirement of energy crisis were focused on.

The preparation and utilization of carbon obtained from biomass for energy storage have drawn research attention for ease of production, economy, and sustainability of porous carbon from different biological precursors. In comparison with artificial nanostructural carbon, like 1D carbon nanotubes and 0D buck balls, activated carbon derived from biomass also would have a more specific capacity and better electrochemical properties suitable for supercapacitor applications. Nevertheless, problems persist with synthesis methods to acquire carbon obtained from biomass with high yield, efficient electrochemical properties, and controlled sp² microstructures. The above requirement may need an interpretation of the chemical, elemental composition and pure structural properties of precursors. ...