Kenaf-based activated carbon: A sustainable solution for high-performance aqueous symmetric supercapacitors

• Main Authors: Subramaniam T., Ansari M.N.M., Krishnan S.G., Khalid M.
• Other Authors: 57555444100
• Format: Article
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 2025
• Subjects: Charcoal; Electric Capacitance; Electrodes; Hibiscus; Activation energy; Capacitance; Electric discharges; Hemp; Kenaf fibers; Supercapacitor; activated carbon; charcoal; Biochar; Carbon A; Energy density; High surface area; High surface area electrodes; Innovative method; Performance; Sustainable solution; Symmetric supercapacitor; Symmetrics; biochar; chemical analysis; electrode; energy efficiency; performance assessment; sustainability; Article; controlled study; current density; density; kenaf; surface area; electric capacitance; Activated carbon

This study presents an innovative method for synthesizing activated carbon with an exceptionally high surface area (3359 m2 g?1) using kenaf fiber-based biochar through chemical activation. The achieved specific surface area surpasses activated carbon derived from other reported fiber-based precursors. The resulting activated carbon was investigated as electrodes for supercapacitors, revealing a remarkable maximum capacitance of 312 F g?1 at a current density of 0.5 A g?1. An aqueous symmetric supercapacitor employing these high-surface-area electrodes exhibited an outstanding energy density of 18.9 Wh kg?1 at a power density of 250 W kg?1. Notably, the supercapacitor retained exceptional capacitance, maintaining 93% of its initial capacitance even after 5000 charge-discharge cycles. ? 2024 Elsevier Ltd