Turning gelidium amansii residue into nitrogen-doped carbon nanofiber aerogel for enhanced multiple energy storage

Three-dimensional (3D) carbonaceous aerogels assembled by one-dimensional (1D) carbon nanofibers (CNF) have attracted much attention, because their unique interconnected and hierarchical porous structure can offer a wide range of applications in environmental remediation and energy storage. Herein, the residue of gelidium amansii (mainly endofibers, similar to 1.6 mm) after extraction of agar were used as precursor to fabricate nanofibrilated cellulose by using facile ultrosonication treatment. The nanofibrilated celluloses are highly engineered nanofibers with average diameter of similar to 90 nm. Then the 1D cellulose nanofibers could be assembled into 3D nanofiber aerogels after freeze drying. The subsequent pyrolysis in NH3 and activition could result in the formation of N-doped CNF areogel (N-PCNFA), where the oxygen-containing groups in cellulose macromolecules converted to H2O, CO, and CO2. The N-PCNFA with hierarchically porous structure, high surface area (2290m(2) g(-1)), N-doping, and 3D interconnected channels are beneficial to electrolyte ions and electron transportation. The N-PCNFA displayed high capacity and long-term stability as energy storage material. This work highlights a new strategy in highly efficient utilizing the marine biomass waste for developing low-cost and functional carbon aerogel for multiple energy storage. (c) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.