6–10 Jul 2026
University of the Western Cape
Africa/Johannesburg timezone
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Synthesis of Sustainable Biomass-Derived Porous Biochars as Promising Electrode Materials for Supercapacitor Applications

7 Jul 2026, 17:20
1h 20m
Great Hall (University of the Western Cape)

Great Hall

University of the Western Cape

Poster Presentation Track A - Physics of Condensed Matter and Materials Poster Session 1

Speaker

Salahudeen Adamu Gene (Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, Nigeria)

Description

Abstract:
Supercapacitors (SC) are excellent energy storage solutions for electronics because they offer greater energy and power densities than traditional capacitors and batteries. Developing efficient and sustainable biochar-based electrode materials continues to be a challenge for developing green energy storage devices. In this study, activated carbons (AC) were produced from agricultural wastes (corncob [CC], groundnut shell [GS]) using physico-chemical activation method, which were used as electrode material for SC electrodes. Each AC was characterized using X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis. Electrochemical property was evaluated using Cyclic Voltammetry (CV). Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) confirmed a suitable carbonization temperature of 300 °C. SEM and BET results showed good porosity and specific surface areas of 514.10 and 950.00 m²/g for CC and GS, respectively. XRD confirmed the transformation of each precursor into amorphous carbon and FTIR analysis revealed significant functional groups required for electrode materials. Electrochemical performance of each AC electrode displayed a strong correlation between capacitance and surface morphology. AC from CC demonstrated superior performance, with a specific capacitance of 178 F/g, compared to 123 F/g for GS. The results suggested that Agricultural waste derived ACs are promising candidates as electrode materials.
Keywords: Activated carbon, biomass, Porous structure, Electrode materials, Supercapacitors.

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Author

Salahudeen Adamu Gene (Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, Nigeria)

Co-authors

Prof. Uno E. Uno (Federal University of Technology Minna) Dr Mohammed I. Kimpa (Federal University of Technology Minna) Prof. Labake A. Fadipe (Federal University of Technology Minna) Mrs Fatima M. Abdullahi (Federal University of Technology Minna)

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