Carbon-Based Electrodes from Agricultural Waste: Comparison of Textural and Electrical Properties
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59796/jcst.V16N4.2026.212Keywords:
activated carbon, apricot stone, electric double-layer capacitor, electrical properties, electrodes, palmyra palm, textural propertiesAbstract
Activated carbon-based electrodes were successfully derived from agri-food residues, namely palmyra palm fibers and apricot stone shells, via activation with potassium hydroxide at 750°C. Palmyra palm fiber activated carbon (PPA) and apricot stone shell activated carbon (ASA) were prepared, while commercial activated carbon (CAC) was used as received. All samples were characterized and electrically evaluated in a comparative study. Characterization results confirmed that ASA and PPA were successfully converted into carbonaceous materials. Scanning electron microscopy revealed a sponge-like porous structure in the PPA sample, whereas one-dimensional channel-like pores were observed in the ASA, and a smooth surface with randomly distributed cracks was observed in the CAC sample. Interestingly, the surface area of the activated carbon electrodes alone did not determine the specific capacitance. Although ASA possessed the highest surface area (1372.9 m2 g⁻1), it exhibited the lowest specific capacitance of 30.5 F g⁻1 at 0.5 A g⁻1. In contrast, PPA demonstrated the lowest surface area (502.5 m2 g⁻1) but delivered the highest specific capacitance of 47.6 F g-1 at the same current density. Textural-electrical performance correlation analysis revealed that mesopore content (2-50 nm) has a greater impact on electrical capacitance than the overall specific surface area. Moreover, all carbon electrodes displayed quasi-rectangular cyclic voltammograms, consistent with the characteristic behavior of EDLCs. The PPA-based electrode exhibited excellent rate capability, retaining approximately 88% of its initial capacitance as the current density increased from 0.5 to 5.0 A g⁻1, indicating its strong potential for practical EDLC applications.
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