Microalgae derived carbon for energy storage devices

Muhammad Zulkifli

In this study, the electrochemical properties and sample characterization of activated carbon have been analysed to gain a clear understanding of its behaviour reflecting the energy storage performance. When tested in a three-electrode configuration for electrochemical characterization working with 2M NaOH electrolyte solution, the activated carbon exhibits excellent capacitance and energy density value which is 124.436 F g-1 and 62.218 Wh kg-1, respectively. The activated carbon showed large BET surface area and large pores area, which are 1133.8038 m2 g-1 and 891.909 m2 g-1, respectively, ascribed to micropores. Besides, 2h holding time at 200oC by hydrothermal carbonisation of solid hydrochar from Chlorella algae species was used as precursor material. It is for the preparation of microalgae derived carbon by chemical activation method with KOH. An approach has been made to test the influences of the activation temperature on the pore structure and the energy storage performance. The macroalgal hydrochar is synthesized at two different temperatures, 800oC and 900oC, for 60 min under same impregnation ratio of KOH/hydrochar is being 4:1. Two samples thus synthesized present low capacitance and thus low energy density value which sample 1 (AC1-4:1-800) exhibited 10.679 F g-1 and 5.34 Wh kg-1, respectively, while sample 2 (AC2-4:1-900) exhibit 0.939 F g-1 and 0.47 Wh kg-1, respectively. From the BET and porosity analysis, it is concluded that both samples have low BET surface area, pores volume and low pores area. The conclusion from this experiment is that a high activation temperature, (i.e., 900oC), may degrade the pore structure of electrode materials.

Microalgae derived carbon for energy storage devices

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