Comparison of acid exfoliators in carbon nanosheets synthesis from stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) for electrochemical applications

Nuilek, Kanokon; Wongwiriyapan, Winadda; Sattayarut, Vichuda; Simon, Andrea; Koncz-Horváth, Daniel; Ferenczi, Tibor; Kristály, Ferenc; Baumli, Peter

doi:10.1038/s41598-020-74286-4

Comparison of acid exfoliators in carbon nanosheets synthesis from stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) for electrochemical applications

Author(s)

Nuilek, Kanokon

Wongwiriyapan, Winadda

Sattayarut, Vichuda

Simon, Andrea

Koncz-Horváth, Daniel

Ferenczi, Tibor

Kristály, Ferenc

Baumli, Peter

Date Issued

December 1, 2020

Type

Article

DOI

10.1038/s41598-020-74286-4

Abstract

Carbon nanosheets (CNs) were successfully synthesized from nettle stem (NS) which is an inexpensive material with a high carbon content that is abundantly available in nature. CNs were produced using chemical (potassium hydroxide activation and acid exfoliation) and thermal treatments. Sulfuric (H2SO4), phosphoric (H3PO4) and nitric (HNO3) acid solutions were used for exfoliation. CNs exfoliated by H3PO4 have higher specific surface area (789 m² g⁻¹) compared to CNs exfoliated by H2SO4 (705 m² g⁻¹) and HNO3 (106 m² g⁻¹). In this work, NSCNs were found to be a potential candidate for electrode material in electrochemical capacitors. The maximum specific capacitance of the NSCNs exfoliated by H3PO4 is found to be 27.3 F g⁻¹ at a current density of 0.05 A g⁻¹, while the specific capacitance of NSCNs exfoliated by H2SO4 and HNO3 is 9.34 F g⁻¹ and 1.71 F g⁻¹, respectively. Energy density (0.06–0.95 Wh kg⁻¹) and power density (20.9–26.7 W kg⁻¹) of NSCNs are confirmed to be supercapacitor materials and can be applied in energy storage devices.

Citation

Scientific Reports, 10(1), 2020