Tridax procumbens flowers derived carbon as electrode material in aqueous supercapacitor

Abstract

Microwave synthesized activated carbon utilizing Tridax procumbens flowers is reported as supercapacitor electrode. Incomplete graphitization with disordered carbon structure and honeycomb-like surface morphology is achieved. In aqueous H2SO4 electrolyte, the material exhibits charge storage through non-faradaic, electrostatic accumulation/adsorption of charges at electrode-electrolyte interface. The charge/discharge curves confirm the capacitive behavior of the material with a specific capacitance of 168 F g−1 at a current density of 0.5 A g−1. A notable energy density of 2.46 W h kg−1 at a 163 W kg−1 power density is achieved in the assembled symmetric device making it a pertinent electrode material for supercapacitors.

Keywords

• Activated carbon
• Electrochemical activity
• Microwave-assisted method