Nanoporous carbon derived from agro-waste pineapple leaves for supercapacitor electrode*

Jedsada Sodtipinta, Taweechai Amornsakchai and Pasit Pakawatpanurut

Abstract

By using KOH as the chemical activating agent in the synthesis, the activated carbon derived from pineapple leaf fiber (PALF) was prepared. The structure, morphology, and the surface functional groups of the as-prepared activated carbon were investigated using x-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscope equipped with energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The electrochemical behavior and performance of the as-synthesized activated carbon electrode were measured using the cyclic voltammetry and the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in 1 M Na₂SO₄ electrolyte solution in three-electrode setup. The activated carbon electrode exhibited the specific capacitance of 131.3 F g⁻¹ at a scan rate of 5 mV s⁻¹ with excellent cycling stability. The capacitance retention after 1000 cycles was about 97% of the initial capacitance at a scan rate of 30 mV s⁻¹. Given these good electrochemical properties along with the high abundance of PALF, this activated carbon electrode has the potential to be one of the materials for future large-scale production of the electrochemical capacitors