Self-assembly fabrication of lignin-derived carbon with dual heteroatoms doping for high-performance supercapacitor

Abstract

Renewable and low-cost biomass is an ideal sustainable alternative to petroleum-based resources, but producing biomass-based carbon electrode with high performances remains a challenge. Herein, we propose a facile self-assembly strategy to fabricate a biomass-derived N, S co-doping carbon electrode from lignosulfonate without any activation or template process. Taking advantage of the coordination between Fe ions and lignosulfonate, the resultant carbon exhibits a spherical structure with abundant graphitized nanosheets, leading to a high specific surface area with rational pore structure, which are beneficial to the electron/ion transport and storage. The high contents of doping N (8.47 wt%) and S (2.56 wt%) significantly boost the electrochemical performances. As a supercapacitor electrode, the carbon material displays high specific capacitance of 390 F g⁻¹, excellent cycling stability and high energy density of 14.7 W h kg⁻¹ at a power density of 450 W kg⁻¹. This study provides a potential strategy for synthesizing cost-effective heteroatom-doped carbon materials from biomass with abundant functional groups and heteroatom sources, such as chitosan, collagen, and gelatin.

Graphical Abstract

Funding

Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(2022ZYGXZR019)

National Natural Science Foundation of China(32201499)

China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(2021M701250)

Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation(2021A1515110205)