Abstract:

Supercapacitors have become the focus of attention in the energy storage market due to their high power densities, fast charge/discharge rate, advantages of closing the power-energy gap, long cycle life, simple working principles, safe operation and low maintenance costs. Recently, researches on biomass-derived carbon electrode materials have gained momentum especially due to their cheap, environmentally friendly, advanced porous structure and high specific capacity. In this study, supercapacitor electrodes were successfully produced by applying microwave heating at various times and at different powers to Quercus infectoria biomass, which was converted to activated carbon by KOH activation and carbonization method. The properties of the electrodes were determined using chemical characterizations and electrochemical methods. While the capacitance value of the non-microwaved electrode was 89 F/g at 1 A/g current density, the capacitance value of the MAQ-4 electrode was calculated as 283 F/g. The relationship between capacitance value and microwave power exhibited a convex parabola curve characteristic. As the application time of microwave energy increased, the capacitance value of the electrodes increased. The applied microwave power generally increased the stability of the electrodes. From long cycles for stability testing, only a 5.62% reduction in capacitance value of the MAQ-4 electrode was observed. In light of the results obtained, the produced electrode materials are promising both in the reuse of organic wastes and in meeting the energy storage need, thanks to their advantages such as good capacitance, high energy, high power density, low cost and environmental friendliness.

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