image: Template-Free Fabrication of Nitrogen-Doped Hierarchical Porous Carbons from Waste Oil. The schematic illustrates the transformation process from linoleic acid and melamine into nitrogen-doped HPCs using CAPET carbonization and subsequent KOH activation. SEM images highlight the structural evolution, while elemental mapping confirms uniform nitrogen and oxygen distribution. The table shows the increase in specific surface area and mesopore volume after activation. The graph demonstrates the enhanced specific capacitance of N-doped HPCs, with LA-HPCs-N0.5 achieving a peak capacitance of 430.2 F g−1 at A g−1.
Credit: Waste Disposal & Sustainable Energy
In a significant development for sustainable technology, scientists have discovered a method to transform waste oil into a powerful material for energy storage, creating nitrogen-doped hierarchical porous carbons (HPCs) specifically designed for supercapacitors. This innovative template-free approach, developed by researchers at the University of Shanghai for Science and Technology and Tongji University, produces HPCs with enhanced conductivity and electrochemical performance, marking a meaningful step forward in the pursuit of efficient, eco-friendly energy storage solutions.
Amid an escalating global energy crisis, the need for high-performance energy storage solutions is more pressing than ever. Supercapacitors, known for their fast charge/discharge rates and longer cycle life compared to traditional batteries, have emerged as a critical component in future energy systems. However, to meet growing demand, supercapacitors require high-quality electrode materials that balance conductivity with expansive surface area—an area where many conventional materials fall short. These challenges have spurred scientists to explore advanced carbon materials with intricate porous structures and strategically placed nitrogen atoms, a process known as heteroatom doping.
In a recent study (DOI: 10.1007/s42768-024-00210-5) published in Waste Disposal & Sustainable Energy on October 18, 2024, researchers from the University of Shanghai for Science and Technology and Tongji University, introduced an innovative method to fabricate nitrogen-doped hierarchical porous carbons (HPCs) from waste oil. Their approach, which utilizes carbonization under autogenic pressure at elevated temperatures (CAPET) and potassium hydroxide (KOH) activation, demonstrated substantial improvements in surface area, porosity, and energy storage performance. This process transforms waste oil into a high-value material with properties tailored for supercapacitor electrodes, offering a promising and sustainable solution for the energy storage industry.
The research team selected linoleic acid (found in waste oils) and melamine as carbon and nitrogen sources, respectively. After heating the materials to 600°C and treating them with KOH, the researchers produced HPCs with an impressive surface area of up to 3474.1 m²/g. These HPCs featured mesopores, accounting for 72.9% to 77.3% of the total pore volume—essential for enhancing the material’s storage capacity and ion transport efficiency. Nitrogen doping, facilitated by melamine, improved conductivity and introduced active sites within the carbon framework, boosting electrochemical reactivity. As a result, the HPCs achieved a specific capacitance of 430.2 F g−1, with a retention rate of 86.5% after 2000 charge/discharge cycles.
“By using waste oil as a precursor, we’re not only recycling waste into a valuable resource but also creating a supercapacitor material with exceptional electrochemical properties,” said Dr. Suyun Xu, a leading researcher on the project. “Our approach optimizes the pore structure and uses nitrogen doping to elevate the performance of supercapacitors, opening up new possibilities for sustainable, high-efficiency energy storage.”
This study’s potential applications extend beyond the laboratory, offering opportunities for energy technologies in a circular economy. By repurposing waste oil into a high-performing carbon material, this method reduces environmental waste while supporting eco-friendly and economical energy storage solutions. The HPCs’ improved performance in supercapacitors makes them suitable for use in electric vehicles, renewable energy storage, and other advanced applications, paving the way for greener, more efficient energy systems worldwide.
As the energy landscape evolves, innovations like this provide a promising glimpse into a future where waste materials are transformed into resources, ensuring that sustainability and high-performance technology can coexist.
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References
DOI
Original Source URL
https://doi.org/10.1007/s42768-024-00210-5
Funding information
This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 52370144).
About Waste Disposal & Sustainable Energy (WDSE)
Waste Disposal & Sustainable Energy (WDSE) publishes high-quality papers that advance waste disposal and sustainable energy. It broadly encompassed various traditional waste disposal and new sustainable energy sources related topics. The invention of instrumentation and new methods of waste characterization and collection are also included. It emphasizes the application of waste disposal and sustainable energy technology to environmental and earth issues. It provides a platform not only for basic research but also for industrial interests.
Journal
Waste Disposal & Sustainable Energy
Subject of Research
Not applicable
Article Title
Template-free approach to fabricate uniformly N-doped hierarchical porous carbons from waste oil
Article Publication Date
18-Oct-2024
COI Statement
The authors declare that they have no competing interests.