Enhanced Electrochemical Performance of Sugarcane Bagasse-Derived Activated Carbon via a High-Energy Ball Milling Treatment
Likkhasit Wannasen, Narong Chanlek, Sumeth Siriroj, Santi Maensiri, Ekaphan Swatsitang, Supree Pinitsoontorn
Abstract
Activated carbon (AC) from sugarcane bagasse was prepared using dry chemical activation with KOH. It was then subjected to a high-energy ball milling (HEBM) treatment under various milling speeds (600, 1200 and 1800 rpm) to produce AC nanoparticles from micro-size particles. The AC samples after the HEBM treatment exhibited reduced particle sizes, increased mesopore volume and a rich surface oxygen content, which contribute to higher pseudocapacitance. Notably, different HEBM speeds were used to find a good electrochemical performance. As a result, the AC/BM12 material, subjected to HEBM at 1200 rpm for 30 min, exhibited the highest specific capacitance, 257 F g−1, at a current density 0.5 A g−1. This is about 2.4 times higher than that of the AC sample. Moreover, the excellence capacitance retention of this sample was 93.5% after a 3000-cycle test at a current density of 5 A g−1. Remarkably, a coin cell electrode assembly was fabricated using the AC/BM12 material in a 1 M LiPF6 electrolyte. It exhibited a specific capacitance of 110 F g−1 with a high energy density of 27.9 W h kg−1.