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

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.

Sustainable Carbon Xerogel in the Production of Electromagnetic Radar Absorbing Composites in the Ku-Band

“…Furthermore, tannin is a natural phenolic, which is price-competitive compared to synthetic sources. Tannin is about 39 and 86 times cheaper than resorcinol and phenol, respectively 13 . Therefore, the synthesis of sustainable xerogels is a straightforward process with a high potential for large-scale production, and the pyrolysis of such materials provides a highly porous carbon with the desired properties for RAM, for example, low specific mass and cost along with a sustainable feature 11,14 .…”

Bio-based Carbon Electrochemically Decorated with Cu Nanoparticles: Green Synthesis and Electrochemical Performance

“…Figure 7a illustrates the N 2 isotherm of the precursor C matrix. According to the IUPAC report 50 , the isotherm corresponds to a combination of types I and IV, suggesting the presence of micro-and mesopores, characteristic of carbonaceous materials derived from carbon-rich residues 3,51 . Furthermore, hysteresis-loop type H4 has been attributed to micro-mesoporous materials 50 .…”

A Comparative Study on the Crystalline and Surface Properties of Carbonized Mesoporous Coconut Shell Chars

“…Different carbon-containing natural materials (such as plant wood, agricultural waste, hardened shells of nuts, peat, lignite, char, coal) and amorphous porous materials (such as biochar, carbon gels, etc.) are utilized as common sources of raw material to produce activated carbon [12][13][14][15][16][17]. The crop's routine need of the creatures on earth and their production led to excessive by-products and residual waste on the planet.…”