A Comprehensive Evaluation of Biomass-Derived Activated Carbon Materials for Electrochemical Applications in Zinc-Ion Hybrid Supercapacitors

In the evolving domain of energy storage technologies, the synergy of sustainable materials and enhanced performance metrics is crucial. This study focuses on zinc-ion hybrid supercapacitors (ZHSs), distinguished by their impressive energy and power densities. The research meticulously evaluates biomass-derived activated carbon (AC) as an effective electrode material, selecting four distinct biomass sources: jute sticks, olive leaves, mango leaves, and date leaves. These were chosen due to their plentiful availability and rich lignocellulosic properties. Among the configurations studied, the jute stick derived AC (JC) electrode stood out with its tailored morphology and substantial specific surface area of 1370 m2/g. This design facilitated exceptional rate capabilities and efficient ion transport, culminating in remarkable long-term stability. Electrochemical analyses across all biomass-derived AC configurations revealed a comprehensive performance profile. The JC-based ZHS exhibited a specific capacitance of 204 F/g, an energy density of 73 Wh/kg, and a power density of 400 W/kg. In comparison, the OC-based (olive leaves), MC-based (mango leaves), and DC-based (date leaves) ZHSs demonstrated specific capacitances of 182, 155, and 80 F/g; energy densities of 64, 55, and 28 Wh/kg, respectively, and all maintained a power density of 400 W/kg. Interestingly, the JC-based ZHS demonstrated a capacity retention of 130% after 20,000 cycles, highlighting its resilience and performance consistency. A real-world application was successfully demonstrated by powering a toy car solely with our developed JC-based ZHS coin cell, showcasing the practicality and efficiency of our technology in operational devices. These findings underscore the potential of biomass-derived AC, particularly from jute sticks, in developing supercapacitors. With its high performance, the JC-based ZHS demonstrates the use of sustainable materials in energy storage technologies, complying with circular economy concepts and establishing a benchmark for future research and applications.