| Abstract Scope |
Aqueous batteries and supercapacitors using water-based electrolytes offer safer, low-cost, and sustainable alternatives to organic systems, eliminating the need for complex battery management. However, current aqueous systems rely on scarce transition metals (Ni, Co, Mn), prompting a shift toward organic electrodes made from abundant elements (C, H, O, N, S). Biomass-derived activated carbon (AC) precursors, such as hemp, honeydew peel, and eggshells, are gaining attention for their sustainability and performance. Preliminary research at Murdoch University shows hemp-based composites, synthesized via a simple one-step process, yield AC with high surface area (1195 mē/g) and superior electrochemical double-layer behavior. SEM and cyclic voltammetry analyses reveal that hemp-derived AC outperforms commercial AC, offering promising solutions to interface challenges in aqueous energy storage. These intriguing results will be presented, highlighting how the chemistry of these biomass materials, through variations in functional groups, porosity, and redox activity, leads to pseudocapacitive behavior and enhanced energy density. |