Abstract
The nitrogen-doped activated biocarbons were synthesized from jatropha oilcake (agro industrial residues)–derived hydrochars via KOH-mediated chemical activation at various temperatures of 600, 700, and 800 °C for 1 h under N2 gas flow. The effects of activation temperatures on the physicochemical, morphological, and capacitive performance of nitrogen-doped activated biocarbon materials were investigated through CHNS, FTIR, XRD, RAMAN, BET, SEM–EDS, and electrochemical analyses. It was observed that the nitrogen content in the nitrogen-doped activated biocarbon was decreased with increasing activating temperature as 2.47, 1.76, and 0.36%, respectively for 600, 700, and 800 °C. Furthermore, the increasing trend was noticed for the specific surface area of the nitrogen-doped activated biocarbon with raising activating temperature from 600 °C (681 m2 g−1) to 800 °C (1346 m2 g−1), and it was very high compared to their pristine biocarbon (2 m2 g−1). The superior specific capacitance of 210 F g−1 at 1 A g−1 was shown by the nitrogen-doped biocarbons activated at 700 °C, which is greatly influenced by its specific surface area and nitrogen content. The fabricated cell has also exhibited better cycling performances with the 81% capacity retention at 1 A g−1 after 5000 cycles along with the higher energy and power density of 6.45 Wh kg−1 and 2735 W kg−1 while employing the current density of 5 A g−1.
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Data Availability
The datasets used and analyzed during this study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
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Acknowledgements
The authors express sincere thanks to Sophisticated Test and Instrumentation Centre (STIC), Cochin University of Science and Technology, Cochin, Kerala, India, for providing their valuable support for various analytical services. We would also like to acknowledge the Central Analytical Laboratory, BITS Pilani Hyderabad Campus, for BET characterization service.
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This research work has been carried out using the facility generated through the Minor Research Project (MRP/UGC-SERO Proposal No.1593) sanctioned to Dr. S. Vivekanandhan by the University Grants Commission (UGC), India.
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Sankari, M.K.S., Vivekanandhan, S. Nitrogen-Doped Activated Biocarbon from the Agroindustrial Residue of Jatropha Oilcake for Symmetric Supercapacitors: a Study on the Effect of Activation Temperature. Mater Circ Econ 6, 1 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42824-023-00097-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42824-023-00097-3