An all-lignin-based flexible supercapacitor based on a nitrogen-doped carbon dot functionalized graphene hydrogel
Linlin Cui,Yingrui An,Hanping Xu,Mengying Jia,Yue Li,Xiaojuan Jin
New Journal of Chemistry Pub Date : 11/02/2021 00:00:00 , DOI:10.1039/D1NJ04054E
Abstract

Designing flexible supercapacitors (FSCs) as energy storage devices for portable/wearable electronic products using the earth-abundant, renewable and environmentally friendly natural biomass has the prospect of building a green, sustainable society. Here, we report a new type of three-dimensional graphene hydrogel with lignin-based nitrogen-doped carbon dots as a decorative material. The nitrogen doped carbon dots are anchored in a graphene sheet through π–π bonds and electrostatic interactions, forming a stable three-dimensional network structure, which comprehensively improves the electrochemical performance of the electrode material. As an electrode, the specific capacitance reaches 387 F g−1 at 1 A g−1, and the rate performance reaches 75.7% when the current density increases to 7 A g−1. In addition, an all-lignin-based supercapacitor assembled with a lignin hydrogel as the electrolyte has superior cycle stability (cycle life after 5000 cycles is 92.3%) and rate performance. When the power density is 243 W kg−1, the energy density is 25.6 W h kg−1; moreover, the FSC has excellent electrochemical stability even at different bending angles. This all-lignin-based FSC with excellent electrochemical performance and flexibility opens up a new path for the application of lignin in flexible energy storage devices.

Graphical abstract: An all-lignin-based flexible supercapacitor based on a nitrogen-doped carbon dot functionalized graphene hydrogel