Crotalaria juncea plant seed-derived biochar: electrode to prototype solid-state supercapacitor
摘要
The present study explores the use of biowaste Crotalaria Juncea plant seeds to derive biochar carbon, which is employed as a raw material in the design of an electrode for a prototype solid-state supercapacitor intended for energy storage device grade supercapacitor. Biochar carbon was prepared using Crotalaria Juncea plant seeds in tubular furnace at temperature 600 °C under controlled nitrogen atmosphere deprived of activation agent, well characterized through X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), and RAMAN measurements. Electrode process involves the use of doctor blade to coat slurry on the conducting stainless steel as current collector. The biochar carbon electrode produces a good specific capacitance of 213.92 F/g at 5 mV/s and charge holding capacity of 106.9% after 3000 cycles. Prototype device with dimensions of 3 cm × 3 cm configured in solid-state symmetric mode using PVA-LiClO4 gel delivered potential window of 1.55 V yielding specific capacitance of 17.77 F/g at 5 mV/s and demonstrate energy and power densities 1.67 Wh/kg and 86.11 W/kg, respectively, maintaining capacitive retention of 76.27% at 3000 cycles. Glowing VNIT acronym LEDs panel and powering small fan ensured prototype nature of designed device towards real-time application.