Banana stem biochar composite with polyaniline for energy storage applications

Abstract

The production and use of activated carbon from biochar, exclusively for energy storage and environmental applications was attracting attention. In this work, the commonly available banana stem was selected as a precursor to be converted into biochar (BC) at 500℃. The conducting polymer poly aniline (PANI) was then incorporated into the char matrix (BC-PANI) in order to improve the electrical properties. FTIR, UV–visible, XRD, SEM and TEM techniques were used to characterize the polymer composite. The integration PANI onto BC was clearly revealed from SEM and TEM micrographs and also the nanocomposite formation (BC-PANI, 0.37 nm) was confirmed from the XRD analysis. Furthermore, the electrochemical performance was analyzed using cyclicvoltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Both BC and BC-PANI attained maximum specific capacitance of 27.00 and 57.50 Fg−1 respectively. The various resistance that originated at electrode/electrolyte interface was also identified from impedance spectroscopy. These findings highlighted the good capacitive nature of the electrode material (BC-PANI).