A\nComprehensive Evaluation\nof Biomass-Derived Activated Carbon Materials for Electrochemical\nApplications in Zinc-Ion Hybrid Supercapacitors

In\nthe evolving domain of energy storage technologies,\nthe synergy of sustainable materials and enhanced performance metrics\nis crucial. This study focuses on zinc-ion hybrid supercapacitors\n(ZHSs), distinguished by their impressive energy and power densities.\nThe research meticulously evaluates biomass-derived activated carbon\n(AC) as an effective electrode material, selecting four distinct biomass\nsources: jute sticks, olive leaves, mango leaves, and date leaves.\nThese were chosen due to their plentiful availability and rich lignocellulosic\nproperties. Among the configurations studied, the jute stick derived\nAC (JC) electrode stood out with its tailored morphology and substantial\nspecific surface area of 1370 m<sup>2</sup>/g. This design facilitated\nexceptional rate capabilities and efficient ion transport, culminating\nin remarkable long-term stability. Electrochemical analyses across\nall biomass-derived AC configurations revealed a comprehensive performance\nprofile. The JC-based ZHS exhibited a specific capacitance of 204\nF/g, an energy density of 73 Wh/kg, and a power density of 400 W/kg.\nIn comparison, the OC-based (olive leaves), MC-based (mango leaves),\nand DC-based (date leaves) ZHSs demonstrated specific capacitances\nof 182, 155, and 80 F/g; energy densities of 64, 55, and 28 Wh/kg,\nrespectively, and all maintained a power density of 400 W/kg. Interestingly,\nthe JC-based ZHS demonstrated a capacity retention of 130% after 20,000\ncycles, highlighting its resilience and performance consistency. A\nreal-world application was successfully demonstrated by powering a\ntoy car solely with our developed JC-based ZHS coin cell, showcasing\nthe practicality and efficiency of our technology in operational devices.\nThese findings underscore the potential of biomass-derived AC, particularly\nfrom jute sticks, in developing supercapacitors. With its high performance,\nthe JC-based ZHS demonstrates the use of sustainable materials in\nenergy storage technologies, complying with circular economy concepts\nand establishing a benchmark for future research and applications.