Carbon aerogels (CAs) are porous solids made of a network of interconnected carbon structures that offer outstanding properties, i.e. low density, electrically conductive frameworks, chemical stability and high surface to volume ratio. They have been applied in many fields like hydrogen adsorption, catalysis or energy storage, and many different synthesis techniques have been studied. However, regardless of the chosen starting material, CAs production involves three fundamental steps: gelation, drying and carbonization. [1,2] In particular, the aim of this work is to study structure, morphology, and electrochemical performances of cellulose based CAs obtained by a facile synthetic route of purification and gelification of Rice Husk (RH). This new synthetic pathway represents a green and economical alternative that starts from a nontoxic and biodegradable source of carbon. [3,4] The process hereby presented involves a two-step pretreatment with NaClO 2 in acetic acid and NaOH in order to remove lignin, hemicellulose, and silica. After purification the cellulose is dissolved in sodium hydroxide and urea, aged, regenerated with pure water, freeze dried and carbonized in inert atmosphere at 800°C. CAs were characterized using different techniques to fully understand its structure and best potential applications. Composition, morphology, and dimensions have been evaluated by scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, while X-Ray Diffraction and Raman spectroscopy have been used to investigate structures and graphitization. Finally, the material was applied as electrodes in symmetric T cells to evaluate its electrochemical performances with cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic cyclations. This study represents a first step to fully understand the potential of rice husk as a green source for cellulose derived CAs and its most promising applications, and it paves the way to additional investigations towards the valorization of a low value agricultural waste. [1] Y. Sheng; Nanoscale, 2020, 12, 19536-19556 [2] L. Jong-Hoon; Carbon, 2020, 163, 1-18 [3] C. Tailong, Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics, 2018, 29, 4334–4344 [4] Z. Zhang; J. Phys. Chem. C, 2019, 123, 38, 23374–23381
Rice Husk Waste-Derived Carbon Aerogels: A Sustainable Approach for Advanced Supercapacitor Electrodes / Atanasio, Pierfrancesco; Scaramuzzo, FRANCESCA ANNA; Proietti, Anacleto; Pasquali, Mauro; Rossi, Marco. - (2023). (Intervento presentato al convegno Nanoinnovation 2023 tenutosi a Rome, Italy).
Rice Husk Waste-Derived Carbon Aerogels: A Sustainable Approach for Advanced Supercapacitor Electrodes
Pierfrancesco Atanasio;Francesca Anna Scaramuzzo;Anacleto Proietti;Mauro Pasquali;Marco Rossi
2023
Abstract
Carbon aerogels (CAs) are porous solids made of a network of interconnected carbon structures that offer outstanding properties, i.e. low density, electrically conductive frameworks, chemical stability and high surface to volume ratio. They have been applied in many fields like hydrogen adsorption, catalysis or energy storage, and many different synthesis techniques have been studied. However, regardless of the chosen starting material, CAs production involves three fundamental steps: gelation, drying and carbonization. [1,2] In particular, the aim of this work is to study structure, morphology, and electrochemical performances of cellulose based CAs obtained by a facile synthetic route of purification and gelification of Rice Husk (RH). This new synthetic pathway represents a green and economical alternative that starts from a nontoxic and biodegradable source of carbon. [3,4] The process hereby presented involves a two-step pretreatment with NaClO 2 in acetic acid and NaOH in order to remove lignin, hemicellulose, and silica. After purification the cellulose is dissolved in sodium hydroxide and urea, aged, regenerated with pure water, freeze dried and carbonized in inert atmosphere at 800°C. CAs were characterized using different techniques to fully understand its structure and best potential applications. Composition, morphology, and dimensions have been evaluated by scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, while X-Ray Diffraction and Raman spectroscopy have been used to investigate structures and graphitization. Finally, the material was applied as electrodes in symmetric T cells to evaluate its electrochemical performances with cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic cyclations. This study represents a first step to fully understand the potential of rice husk as a green source for cellulose derived CAs and its most promising applications, and it paves the way to additional investigations towards the valorization of a low value agricultural waste. [1] Y. Sheng; Nanoscale, 2020, 12, 19536-19556 [2] L. Jong-Hoon; Carbon, 2020, 163, 1-18 [3] C. Tailong, Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics, 2018, 29, 4334–4344 [4] Z. Zhang; J. Phys. Chem. C, 2019, 123, 38, 23374–23381I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
