Nitrogen containing bio-carbon as a potential anode for lithium batteries

Nitrogen containing porous carbon, derived from human hair through an economically viable and an environmentally benign approach has been explored for the first time as an anode for rechargeable lithium batteries. Such a human hair derived carbon (HHC) is found to be mesoporous with an appreciable BET surface area of 1617 m(2) g(-1). HHC, when explored as a lithium intercalating anode exhibits excellent electrochemical properties upon moderate (100 mA g(-1)) and high rate (3800 mA g(-1)) discharge conditions. A steady state reversible capacity of 700 and 610 mAh g(-1) has been delivered against 50 and 100 mA g(-1) current density. Further, an acceptable capacity of 181 mAh g(-1) has been exhibited at 10.21 C rate, by withstanding a current density of 3800 mA g(-1). The superior electrochemical properties of HHC anode over other biomass derived carbons are believed to be due to the presence of nitrogen containing mesoporous carbon with a high surface area. The study demonstrates the exploitation of a universal waste material, viz., human hair, as a potential anode for the most sought after energy storage application. Further, the process of filth-to-wealth conversion is bestowed with economic and environmental benefits, thus qualifying itself as an energy efficient process. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.