In Situ N, O Co-Doped Nanoporous Carbon Derived from Mixed Egg and Rice Waste as Green Supercapacitor

Abstract

The conversion of nitrogen–oxygen-rich biomass wastes into heteroatomic co-doped nanostructured carbons used as energy storage materials has received widespread attention. In this study, an in situ nitrogen–oxygen co-doped porous carbon was prepared for supercapacitor applications via a two-step method of pre-carbonization and pyrolytic activation using mixed egg yolk/white and rice waste. The optimal sample (YPAC-1) was found to have a 3D honeycomb structure composed of abundant micropores and mesopores with a high specific surface area of 1572.1 m2 g−1, which provided abundant storage space and a wide transport path for electrolyte ions. Notably, the specific capacitance of the constructed three-electrode system was as high as 446.22 F g−1 at a current density of 1 A g−1 and remained above 50% at 10 A g−1. The capacitance retention was 82.26% after up to 10,000 cycles. The symmetrical capacitor based on YPAC-1 with a two-electrode structure exhibited an energy density of 8.3 Wh kg−1 when the power density was 136 W kg−1. These results indicate that porous carbon materials prepared from mixed protein and carbohydrate waste have promising applications in the field of supercapacitors.