Enhanced electrochemical performance of activated carbon derived from Acacia catechu bark by KOH activation for supercapacitor application

¹ Department of Chemistry, Tri Chandra Multiple Campus, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
² Department of Chemistry, Amrit Campus, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
³ Central Department of Chemistry, Kirtipur, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu Nepal
⁴ Department of Applied Science and Technology, North Carolina S&T state University, USA

^* Corresponding author: swagatstha@gmail.com, devalprasadbhattarai@gmail.com

Abstract

The compelling necessity for sustainable energy storage solutions has propelled the advancement of high-performance energy storage strategies. Conventional carbon materials derived from fossils sources cause the limitations of being high rate, processing challenges, and potential harm. Conversely, activated carbon sourced from biomass has emerged as a promising substitute due to its abundant presence in nature, high carbon content, and ease of processing with minimal toxicity. This study outlines the production of activated carbon from the matured bark of Acacia catechu through a sequence of processes, including pre-carbonization, carbonization, and activation at varying temperatures utilizing potassium hydroxide (KOH) as an activating agent. The prepared specimen underwent analysis using diverse methods such as iodine and methylene blue number techniques, XRD, FTIR-test, Raman test, TEM, and its potential storage capacity was appraised via CV, GCD, EIS, and CV stability tests paying a three-electrode arrangement. The activated carbon synthesized at 800 °C (KBAC-8) demonstrated a specific capacitance of 264.51 F/g at 1 A/g, with outstanding retention of 94.64% and superior coulombic efficiency equated to KBAC-6 and KBAC-4. Overall results suggest the relevance of KBAC-8 for supercapacitor applications due to its subordinate resistance.