Synthesis of ultra-thin graphene-like nanosheets from lignin based on evaporation induced self-assembly for supercapacitors

• Published in: International journal of biological macromolecules Vol. 230; p. 123247
• Main Authors: Liang, Yining, Zhou, Yingqiao, Liu, Xiaoning, Qi, Xinhua
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.03.2023
• Subjects: Adsorption; Biomass; Carbon; EISA; Graphene; Graphite; Lignin; Physical Phenomena; Supercapacitors; Supercapacitors; Lignin; EISA; Biomass; Graphene
• ISSN: 0141-8130; 1879-0003
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.123247

Graphene-like carbon materials are widely used in power devices due to their excellent structural characteristics. In this study, ultra-thin graphene-like nanosheets (LGLNs) with rich surface wrinkles were prepared by classical evaporation induced self-assembly (EISA) using lignin biomass as carbon precursor, followed by chemical activation with KHCO3. The obtained LGLN900 material calcined at 900 °C had a thickness of ca. 3 nm, a large specific surface area of 2886 m2 g−1 with a high specific pore volume of 2.10 cm3 g−1. In addition, a large number of wrinkles on the surface of LGLN900 endows its effective compression resistance. When the LGLN900 material was used as electrode material of supercapacitor, a high specific capacitance of 388 F g−1 was obtained at 0.2 A g−1 current density in 6 M KOH aqueous solution, and 269 F g−1 specific capacitance could be at remained at 40 A g−1. The supercapacitor assembled with LGLN900 afforded a specific energy density of (11.0–13.7) Wh kg−1 at a power density of (128.8–6465) W kg−1. This work provides a facile and green strategy for the synthesis of highly wrinkled ultra-thin graphene-like nanosheets from sustainable biomass resources, which should have wide applications in adsorption, catalysis and energy storage. Ultra-thin graphene-like nanosheets with rich surface wrinkles were prepared by classical evaporation induced self-assembly followed by KHCO3 chemical activation with lignin as carbon precursor, which exhibited superior performance for supercapacitor electrode. [Display omitted] •Simple method to synthesize ultrathin graphene-like nanosheets from lignin•New protocol using evaporation induced self-assembly and chemical activation process•LGLN900 has high specific surface area (2886 m2 g−1) and pore volume (2.10 cm3 g−1).•High specific capacitance (388 F g−1) and outstanding rate capability (69.3 %) as electrode.•LGLN900-SCs has extraordinary cycle stability (98.6 % after 10,000 times) and low RESR (0.32 Ω).