Porous carbon derived from vinegar residue as a typical waste utilization for supercapacitors

The manufacturing of porous carbon materials with low prices and excellent performance is crucial for the commercialization of supercapacitors. Here, a series of porous carbon converted from vinegar residue were obtained for the first time by adjusting the activation conditions. The optimal sample (VRPC 800-2-2) exhibits a high specific surface area, abundant defects and an appropriate pore structure, which facilitates efficient charge storage and favorable ion transport kinetics. As expected, it demonstrates a specific capacitance of 351.0 F/g at 0.5 A/g. The assembled symmetric supercapacitor achieves an energy density of 10.5 Wh/kg at a power density of 275.0 W/kg, along with excellent cycling stability. This study not only provides a sustainable approach for converting waste biomass into valuable energy storage materials but also highlights the potential of vinegar residue-derived porous carbon as a cost-effective and eco-friendly alternative for supercapacitor applications.