Preparation of a High-Performance Asymmetric Supercapacitor by Recycling Aluminum Paper and Filter Components of Heated Tobacco

Abstract

In this study, Al paper and cellulose acetate (CA) filters derived from heated tobacco waste were successfully converted into current collectors and active materials for a supercapacitor device. Typically, heated tobacco contains electrically discontinuous Al paper. First, Al was extracted from the tobacco waste using HCl to produce Lewis acid (AlCl3). This acid was then used in an Al electrodeposition process utilizing the chloroaluminate ionic liquid reaction between the acid and the base (RCl) at room temperature. To enhance the conductivity, a supplementary coating of Al metal was applied to the Al paper through electrodeposition, thus re-establishing the electrical continuity of the discontinuous parts and forming an Al-coated current collector. Moreover, the CA filters were carbonized under a nitrogen atmosphere, yielding carbon precursors (C-CA) for the supercapacitor electrodes. To further enhance the electrochemical performance, nickel oxide (NiO) was incorporated into C-CA, resulting in C-CA@NiO with pseudocapacitance. The specific surface area of CA increased with carbonization and the subsequent incorporation of NiO. The as-synthesized C-CA and C-CA@NiO materials were applied to an Al-coated current collector to obtain C-CA- and C-CA@NiO-based electrodes, exhibiting stable electrochemical behavior in the voltage range of −1.0 to 0 V and 0 to 1.0 V, respectively. An asymmetric supercapacitor (ASC) device was assembled with C-CA@NiO and C-CA as the positive and negative electrodes, respectively. This ASC device demonstrated a high specific capacitance of 40.8 F g−1, while widening the operating voltage window to 2.0 V. The high electrochemical performance of the device is attributed to the successful Al electrodeposition, which facilitates the electrical conductivity and increased porosity of the C-CA@NiO and C-CA materials. To the best of our knowledge, this is a pioneering study in regards to the conversion of biomass waste into current collectors and active materials to fabricate a practical ASC device. Our findings highlight the potential of reusing Al paper and CA filters from heated tobacco waste as essential components of energy storage devices.