Preparation and Characterization of Supercapacitor Electrodes Utilizing Catkin Plant as an Activated Carbon Source

Gouda, Mostafa S.; Shehab, Mona; Soliman, Moataz M.; Helmy, Shacker; Salama, Reda. S.

doi:10.21608/dusj.2023.291058

Preparation and Characterization of Supercapacitor Electrodes Utilizing Catkin Plant as an Activated Carbon Source

Document Type : Original research papers

Authors

¹ Basic Science Department, Faculty of Engineering, Delta University for Science and Technology, Gamasa, 11152, Egypt. Department of Materials Science, Institute of Graduate Studies and Research, Alexandria University, P.O Box 832, Egypt

² Department of Materials Science, Institute of Graduate Studies and Research, Alexandria University, P.O Box 832, Egypt. General Bureau of Beheira Governorate, Damanhour, Beheira, 22111, Egypt.

³ Department of Materials Science, Institute of Graduate Studies and Research, Alexandria University, P.O Box 832, Egypt.

⁴ Department of Environmental Studies, Institute of Graduate Studies and Research, Alexandria University, P.O Box 832, Egypt.

⁵ Basic Science Department, Faculty of Engineering, Delta University for Science and Technology, Gamasa, 11152, Egypt

10.21608/dusj.2023.291058

Abstract

Because of the sustainability, cost-effectiveness, and simplicity of fabrication of meso/microporous carbon synthesized from various precursors, including plants, the production, and application of biomass-derived carbon in energy storage have piqued the interest of researchers. A chemical activation technique involving KOH and carbonization at 600 °C in inert gas was used to successfully synthesize activated carbons (AC) derived from willow catkin (WC). The AC sample was characterized using X-ray diffraction patterns (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In 3M KOH aqueous electrolyte, cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge-discharge (GCD), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were employed to elucidate the electrochemical performance of the AC electrode. The AC electrode has a specific capacitance of 105 F. g-1 and exhibited good cycling stability with a capacitance retention of 89.23% after 1000 cycles. The prepared sample is used as an electrode material for a supercapacitor.

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