Overall upgrading Zn-ion storage capability by engineering N/O co-doped hydrophilic hierarchical porous carbon

The couple of supercapacitors' high power density and batteries' high energy density endows aqueous zinc-ion hybrid supercapacitors (ZIHSCs) a perspective candidate for next-generation energy storage devices. Biomass -derived hierarchical porous carbon with excellent wettability towards aqueous electrolyte is regarded as a promising cathode for ZIHSCs applications. Herein, a N/O co-doped hydrophilic carbon with hierarchical porous architecture is conversed from protein enriched recycled badminton feathers via a facile and scalable strategy. The resultant carbon presents hierarchical porous architecture with high surface area and mesopore-governed pore size distribution, rich dual-doping of N/O heteroatoms and good water wetting behavior. The all-round teamwork of these unique properties provides numerous interfacial active sites plus extra reversible redox re-action for high energy density, and speedy kinetics for high power density. Incredibly, as-assembled ZIHSC device displays an ultrahigh capacity of 225.3 mAh g-1 at 0.1 A g-1 with an appreciable capacity retention of 73.8 mAh g-1 even at a 1000-fold amplified current density, thereby delivering admirable energy and power densities of 201.4 Wh kg- 1 and 83.6 kW kg -1. Most satisfyingly, an ultralong cycling life with no loss in capacity is achieved after 40,000 cycles even at 50 A g-1. Therefore, by taking advantage of its intrinsic component, the conversion of biomass waste to high performance carbon-based cathode material holds a broad prospect and practical significance.

Automated summary

The high power density of supercapacitors and the high energy density of batteries make aqueous zinc-ion hybrid supercapacitors (ZIHSCs) a promising candidate for next-generation energy storage devices. Hierarchical porous carbon derived from protein-enriched recycled badminton feathers is considered a suitable cathode material for ZIHSCs applications. A N/O co-doped hydrophilic carbon with hierarchical porous architecture is successfully synthesized from the feathers, exhibiting high surface area, rich heteroatom doping, and good water wetting behavior. This unique carbon material provides numerous interfacial active sites and reversible redox reactions for high energy density, as well as fast kinetics for high power density. Remarkably, the assembled ZIHSC device shows ultrahigh capacity, admirable energy and power densities, and long cycling life, demonstrating the practical significance of converting biomass waste into high-performance carbon-based cathode materials.