Review on Biomass Derived Activated Carbons as Electrochemical Electrode Material for Supercapacitor Device

To face the challenge of the finite nature of fossil fuels and large energy crises across the globe, there is an urgent requirement for sustainable and renewable energy sources. Moreover, it is essential to focus on energy storage in order to meet the demand of future generations. Among various energy storage devices such as fuel cells, batteries, capacitors, supercapacitors, flywheels, etc., it is the supercapacitor device that has elicited extensive research interest recently because of prominent features like high power density, fast recharge capability, and long cycle life. The main objective of this article is to review the enhancement of the electrochemical performance of supercapacitor devices. The electrochemical properties of the supercapacitor device majorly depend on the electrode materials used, which include carbonaceous materials, metal oxides, and conducting polymers. In order to reduce energy shortages and environmental pressure, carbon materials derived from biomass/waste materials have been considered remarkable candidates for electrode materials with the advantages of high abundance, low cost, and environmental friendliness. This review shows the complied study of various methodologies for the preparation of activated carbons derived from different biomass residues such as plants, animals, and microorganisms, which have been investigated in the past few years as electrochemical electrode materials for supercapacitors. Further, ongoing challenges and potential improvements in this area for creating efficient energy storage devices are also discussed. The goal of this review article is to aid in the creation of new insights for energy storage applications of biomass-generated carbons that will lead to sustainable energy development.