Green Synthesis of Pachyrhizus erosus-Derived Carbon Aerogels for Adsorption of Oil and Organic Solvents and Investigation of Their Electrochemical Properties

Abstract

In this study, to make the most of biomass as raw material, carbon aerogel was fabricated by green synthesis and low-cost methods with high applicability. Pachyrhizus erosus-derived carbon aerogel (PCA) was synthesized through a simple process by hydrothermal freeze-drying combined with pyrolysis. The effect of pyrolysis temperature on the characterization and applications of PCA was investigated at 600, 700, and 800 °C. Characterization of PCA was analyzed by modern methods: scanning electron microscope, Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), and nitrogen adsorption–desorption isotherms. With its diverse pore structure and bulk form, PCA was investigated for applications of oil and organic solvent adsorption and energy storage. From that, PCA becomes a potential material application in adsorption and energy storage with an oil adsorption capacity 31 times its volume and a specific capacitance of up to 349.9 F/g for PCA pyrolysis at 700 °C.