Activated carbon derived from radiation-processed durian shell for energy storage application

A lignocellulosic biomass, durian shell, modified by radiolytic oxidizing species from gamma and electron beam irradiations, has been used as a starting material for activated carbon (AC) production. Facile hydrothermal carbonization with ZnCl₂/FeCl₃ and physical activation were employed in addition. The physicochemical and energy storage properties of the graphitic carbons were investigated using Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM), N₂ adsorption-desorption, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, Cyclic Voltammetry (CV), Galvanostatic Charge-Discharge (GCD) and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS). Biomass modification by radiolytic oxidizing species aided in improving the energy storage properties of the resultant ACs without significantly changing the textural qualities. The radiation type played an important role on the surface functional groups, basal plane, and pore structures of the graphitic materials. The energy storage mechanism was based on a combination of EDLC and pseudo capacitances with high Coulombic efficiency. The highest specific capacitance obtained was 325.20 F/g providing capacity retention of 94.79 % after 10,000 cycles. A promising method of AC production for energy storage application has therefore been successfully demonstrated.