Research on High-Value Utilization of Carbon Derived from Tobacco Waste in Supercapacitors

Abstract

Large quantities of tobacco stalks residues are generated and discarded as crop waste or combusted directly every year. Thus, we need to find an appropriate way to dispose of this type of waste and recycle it. The conversion of biomass waste into electrode materials for supercapacitors is entirely in line with the concept of sustainability and green. In this paper, tobacco-stalk-based, porous activated carbon (TC) was successfully synthesized by high-temperature and high-pressure hydrothermal pre-carbonization and KOH activation. The synthesized TC had a high pore volume and a large surface area of 1875.5 m2 g−1, in which there were many mesopores and interconnected micro-/macropores. The electrochemical test demonstrated that TC-1 could reach a high specific capacitance of up to 356.4 F g−1 at a current density of 0.5 A g−1, which was carried in 6M KOH. Additionally, a symmetrical supercapacitor device was fabricated by using TC-1 as the electrode, which delivered a high energy density up to 10.4 Wh kg−1 at a power density of 300 W kg−1, and excellent long-term cycling stability (92.8% of the initial capacitance retention rate after 5000 cycles). Therefore, TC-1 is considered to be a promising candidate for high-performance supercapacitor electrode materials and is a good choice for converting tobacco biomass waste into a resource.

Recent advancement of biomass-derived porous carbon based materials for energy and environmental remediation applications

“…Previously, the method was employed for the processing of biogas and biofuels from activated charcoal. 141 In recent years, the method has branched out for conversion of carbonaceous precursors, especially decomposable and readily soluble raw materials into functional nanoporous carbons like peanut shell, 142 corn stover, 143 tobacco stalks, 144 macroalgae, 145 montmorillonite, 146 etc. Water serves as a catalyst due to its high ionization constant and promotes the hydrolysis and bond cleavage of the different chemical constituents present in the biomass such as oligomers and monomers into smaller units.…”

Application of Ionic Liquids for Batteries and Supercapacitors

“…The low energy density of SCs obstructs its large-scale industrialization. The energy density of SCs is related to voltage window (V), and specific capacitance (C) of the device (E a = ½ CV 2 ) [ 4 , 6 ]. As energy density is directly proportional to the square of potential window (V 2 ), then significant improvement can be accomplished by developing new high-capacity electrode materials and/or widening the electrochemical potential window of the SC device.…”

“…In the search for advanced sustainable energy sources, the urgent development of long-term high-efficient high energy-power resources is required. Electrochemical energy storage (EES) systems such as batteries and supercapacitors are promising for reaching the required demands due to their fast charge–discharge rates, high power ability, long cycle life for supercapacitors and high-rate capability and high energy density for batteries [ 5 , 6 ]. Among different types of rechargeable batteries, lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries have been considered as one of the most promising EES sources on the market since 1991.…”

Biomass Straw-Derived Porous Carbon Synthesized for Supercapacitor by Ball Milling

“…Most of the straw was still disposed of in the traditional way: burning or direct disposal. The decay of straw waste would absorb a large amount of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium and lead to a decrease in soil fertility, while open burning would also produce a large amount of carbon dioxide and other pollutants, leading to serious environmental pollution, and causing waste of renewable resources due to its renewability [ 7 , 8 , 9 ]. Therefore, promoting the comprehensive utilization of straw resources and transforming into high added value materials are of great practical significance for environmental protection, resource conservation and economic development.…”