Supercapacitor performance based on nitrogen and sulfur co-doped hierarchically porous carbons: Superior rate capability and cycle stability

Herein, the banana-peel waste was carbonized followed by KOH activation to design novel N, S-co-doped hierarchically porous carbonaceous materials (NS-AC). The synthesized sample (NS-AC) exhibited an interconnected porosity and endowed with a high specific surface area (SSA similar to 2452 m(2) g(-1)), total pore volume (V-total similar to 1.82 cm(3) C-1), and moderate nitrogen (3.2 at%) and sulfur (0.6 at%) contents. Moreover, these carbons, when scrutinized as electrode materials, demonstrated a specific capacitance (220 F g(-1) at 0.5 A g(-1)), which persists at 145 F g(-1) even at a large current density of 6 A g(-1), thereby demonstrating an efficient rate capability. Furthermore, a capacitance retention of similar to 78.2% over 15 000 cycles was also observed. All these characteristics reveal NS-AC carbons a promising contender for energy storage. Finally, as-prepared symmetric supercapacitor (NS-AC/NS-AC) exhibited remarkable energy density similar to 5.3 Wh kg(-1) at a power density of 2690 W kg(-1) with capacitance retention of 88% over 4000 charge/discharge cycles, which surpasses the working performance of the many reported carbon materials obtained from biomass sources. In conclusion, outstanding textural features and enhanced conductivity by KOH activation, in addition to the improved surface wettability posed by N- and S-enriched surfaces, resulted in considerable supercapacitor performance.

Automated summary

In this study, novel N, S-co-doped hierarchically porous carbonaceous materials (NS-AC) were designed through carbonization and KOH activation of banana-peel waste. The synthesized NS-AC samples exhibited high specific surface area, total pore volume, and moderate nitrogen and sulfur contents. When used as electrode materials, these carbons demonstrated efficient rate capability and capacitance retention. Additionally, the as-prepared symmetric supercapacitor (NS-AC/NS-AC) exhibited remarkable energy density and capacitance retention, surpassing the performance of carbon materials from biomass sources.