Synthesis and characterization of palm-based TiO2/biochar composites as electrode material for supercapacitor
摘要
Recently, empty fruit bunch (EFB)–derived biochar and biochar/metal oxide composite have gained attention for supercapacitor electrode material due to high specific surface area, promising stability, and cost-effectiveness. In this work, biochar and its composites were synthesized, and high-performance supercapacitors were fabricated. Biochar was obtained through the gasification method and was activated using sodium hydroxide solution. The physico-chemical properties of the obtained biochar and composite of TiO2/biochar with different mass ratios were investigated through X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) to confirm the successful integration of biochar and TiO2 into a composite material and examine their structural and morphological properties. Then, the electrodes were fabricated for biochar, and all synthesized composites of TiO2/biochar with mass ratios of 1:1, 1:2, and 1:3 for TiO2/biochar and electrochemical analyses such as cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge–discharge (GCD), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were carried out. The experimental results of biochar and TiO2/biochar show favorable electrochemical performance. A maximum specific capacitance of 155 F/g for biochar and 350 F/g for TiO2/biochar with a ratio of 1:3 at a current density of 0.5 A/g is achieved for a three-electrode system. The fabricated supercapacitor achieved a maximum specific capacitance of 123 F/g for biochar and 245 F/g for TiO2/biochar (1:3) with a capacity retention of 90% for biochar and 95% for TiO2/biochar (1:3), respectively, after 5000 charge–discharge cycles. Overall, the results revealed promising potential properties of biochar in supercapacitors.