Utilizing some forest biomass as supercapacitor electrode material

Abstract

As energy storage devices, supercapacitors have garnered significant attention due to their high power density, rapid charging capabilities, and long cycle lives. Recent advancements and investments in the electric vehicle industry have driven this growing interest. As a result of this increasing interest and the necessity to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, the search for sustainable sources for electrode coating materials has gained prominence. In this study, coniferous forest biomasses, specifically Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), eastern spruce (Picea orientalis), and cedar (Cedrus spp.), were utilized as coating materials. These biomasses were selected for several reasons: their abundant availability in the Northern Anatolia and Mediterranean regions, their potential to contribute to the economy by being converted into high-value-added products, and their ability to support sustainable commercial processes through waste recycling. From a technical perspective, these biomasses were deemed suitable due to their porous carbon structures, ease of synthesis, large surface areas, and environmentally friendly characteristics, in addition to their economic and practical advantages. This project aims to employ these biomasses as coating materials for supercapacitor electrodes to enhance power density and reduce charge-discharge times. This study seeks to address environmental concerns and further reduce dependence on fossil fuels by using sustainable materials in supercapacitor electrodes. Specifically, the potential of lignocellulosic biomasses from coniferous trees as electrode materials for supercapacitors is being investigated. Using bio-based coating materials from renewable resources presents a sustainable solution for supercapacitor applications. The primary objective of this research is to develop coating materials from the woody parts of Scots pine, eastern spruce, and cedar to improve the performance of supercapacitors. As part of the project, the woody components of coniferous trees are selected as carbon sources. Elemental and structural analyses of the biomasses are conducted for the interpretation of results. Following physical pretreatment, the biomasses underwent thermal conversion and subsequent activation to prepare them as coating materials. Samples are prepared under varying activation parameters, and comparisons are made among different activation conditions for the same biomass and across different biomasses activated under identical conditions. Electrochemical measurements are performed to evaluate and compare the samples' performance in enhancing supercapacitor efficiency under different conditions. The optimal conditions for each sample are determined based on the experimental results.