Research progress of biomass-derived carbon for the supercapacitors

Abstract In order to fulfil the requirements of various equipment in different fields for energy storage components, there is an increasing number of studies being conducted on the development of electrode materials for supercapacitors. At present, carbon materials used in electrode components in supercapacitors are mostly graphene, porous carbon, activated carbon, and carbon nanotubes. Due to the fast advancements in modern technology and science, which have stimulated the demand for sustainable and eco-friendly energy storage materials, biomass-derived carbon materials have gradually emerged in the public eye. The carbon source of biomass-derived carbon is usually a natural substance, which has advantages such as low cost, easy availability, and environmental friendliness. Due to the diversity of material structures, the required electrode materials can be designed and prepared according to performance requirements. At the same time, biomass-derived carbon is also capable of being combined alongside various electrode materials to create asymmetric capacitors, combining the advantages of the two to enhance capacitor electrochemical performance. This article first introduces different sources of biomass-derived carbon-based electrode materials and compares their electrochemical performance. Then, based on various research results, the factors that affect their electrochemical performance are discussed in detail. Then, the preparation methods of biomass-derived carbon electrode materials are introduced, and the specific requirements, advantages and disadvantages of different preparation methods are briefly analyzed. The application of biomass-derived carbon electrode materials in supercapacitors in combination with other materials is listed. Finally, a summary and outlook of the current research status are provided to provide a reference for the rational design of biomass carbon supercapacitors in the future.