Modification of micro/mesoporous carbon synthesis method from well decomposed peat using ZnCl2 additional activation step

Abstract

ZnCl2 activation method was used to synthesize micro- and mesoporous carbon material from Estonian well decomposed peat. The synthesized material with the ZnCl2 activation step has an SBET value of 1270 m2 g─1, compared to the SBET value of 270 m2 g─1 without the activation step. The material was tested as an electrode material in a supercapacitor cell with ionic liquid as an electrolyte. The cyclic voltammetry, impedance spectroscopy and constant current charge/discharge cycles data show that the material is useable for stationary electricity storage in local small-scale wind farms and local PV electricity generating fields. The constant power test data show that very high energy densities E = 50 Wh kg─1 at moderate power densities P = 10 kW kg─1 can be achieved.

Keywords

• Peat derived carbon
• ZnCl2 modification
• Ionic liquid electrolyte
• Supercapacitor