Bio based carbon materials and its application in Electrochemistry

The rapid depletion of fossil fuel reserves and the environmental consequences associated with their use have necessitated the development of sustainable energy systems. In particular, the demand for energy storage solutions has increased with the popularity of electric vehicles. To address the limitations of fossil-based materials, researchers are turning to carbon materials produced from renewable bio feedstocks. This paper explores the diverse carbon allotropes and their unique electrochemical properties, with a focus on graphite as a prominent material in energy storage devices. Bio-based materials derived from renewable biomass offer a promising feedstock for the production of carbonaceous materials. These bio-based graphite and graphene materials have several advantages, including their sustainability, reduced dependency on non-renewable resources, innovative material properties, economic viability, potential for industrial waste utilization, and alignment with environmental regulations. The development of bio-based graphite and graphene has the potential to significantly impact various industries, ranging from electronics to energy storage. The aim of this thesis is to develop a biobased graphite using Hydrothermal Carbonisation (HTC) and carbonisation processes. The research involves the production of biochar through HTC, followed by high-temperature heating and structural analysis. The resulting biochar is compared with activated carbon and graphite for capacitance studies. Throughout the research, it was found that the HTC and carbonisation processes are effective in generating high carbon content with reduced ash and pollution. Significant findings include variations in lignin content among different biomass types and the increase in carbon content through carbonisation. Challenges were encountered in measuring absorbance and transmittance using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) due to the dark nature of the carbonised samples. Although the relationship between HTC conditions and capacitance remained elusive, this research lays the groundwork for future exploration. Opportunities for further investigation include studying the effects of extreme temperatures on carbon-rich materials and the potential for creating graphene-like structures with enhanced conductivity and capacitance. Despite the limitations, this thesis contributes to the understanding of HTC and carbonisation processes and provides a solid foundation for future studies in this field.