Preparation of Waste Betel Nut Based Activated Carbon and Test its Energy Storage Performance

Abstract

In this study, waste betel nut based AC was prepared by chemical method of activation of finely crushed and shieved powder of waste betel nut with H3PO4 in the ratio 1:1 (by weight) followed by carbonization at temperature of 500 C. Characterization of the as prepared AC was performed by determination of iodine number (IN), methylene blue (MBN) and estimating its surface area followed by analysis of Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) image, X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern, Raman spectroscopy pattern and Fourier transform infra red (FTIR) pattern. The MBN, IN and surface area of the resultant AC was determined to be 365 mg g−1,882 mg g−1 and 927 m2 g−1. These analyses suggested the formation of AC with high specific surface area and high porosity from waste betel nut, successfully. The cyclic (CV) curve galvanostatic charge discharge curves shows that as prepared working electrode fabricated by using as waste betel nut based AC, exhibits specific capacitance increases to 154 F g-1 at current density of 0.5 Ag-1. This suggests a probable use of as prepared AC as supercapacitor electrode material. Moreover, preparation of AC from waste betel nut is a simple way of bio-waste management.