Open AccessHigh‐Density Lignin‐Derived Carbon Nanofiber Supercapacitors with Enhanced Volumetric Energy Density
Author(s) -
Hérou Servann,
Bailey Josh J,
Kok Matt,
Schlee Philipp,
Jervis Rhodri,
Brett Dan J. L.,
Shearing Paul R.,
Ribadeneyra Maria Crespo,
Titirici Magdalena
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
advanced science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.388
H-Index - 100
ISSN - 2198-3844
DOI - 10.1002/advs.202100016
Subject(s) - supercapacitor , materials science , gravimetric analysis , capacitance , nanofiber , porosity , composite material , carbon nanofiber , volume (thermodynamics) , power density , carbon fibers , bulk density , electrode , chemical engineering , nanotechnology , carbon nanotube , composite number , chemistry , environmental science , power (physics) , physics , organic chemistry , quantum mechanics , soil science , engineering , soil water
Supercapacitors are increasingly used in short‐distance electric transportation due to their long lifetime (≈15 years) and fast charging capability (>10 A g −1 ). To improve their market penetration, while minimizing onboard weight and maximizing space‐efficiency, materials costs must be reduced (<10 $ kg −1 ) and the volumetric energy‐density increased (>8 Wh L −1 ). Carbon nanofibers display good gravimetric capacitance, yet their marketability is hindered by their low density (0.05–0.1 g cm −3 ). Here, the authors increase the packing density of low‐cost, free‐standing carbon nanofiber mats (from 0.1 to 0.6 g cm −3 ) through uniaxial compression. X‐ray computed tomography reveals that densification occurs by reducing the inter‐fiber pore size (from 1–5 µm to 0.2–0.5 µm), which are not involved in double‐layer capacitance. The improved packing density is directly proportional to the volumetric performances of the device, which reaches a volumetric capacitance of 130 F cm −3 and energy density of 6 Wh L −1 at 0.1 A g −1 using a loading of 3 mg cm −2 . The results outperform most commercial and lab‐scale porous carbons synthesized from bioresources (50–100 F cm −3 , 1–3 Wh L −1 using 10 mg cm −2 ) and contribute to the scalable design of sustainable electrodes with minimal ‘dead volume’ for efficient supercapacitors.