Comparation of Activated Carbon Electrodes from Natural Materials for Supercapacitor Applications in Energy Storage Systems

Authors

  • Asst.Prof. Wichaid Ponhan Program of Physics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Rajabhat Maha Sarakham University, Maha Sarakham, 44000, Thailand.
  • Tanachai Ponken Program of Physics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Rajabhat Maha Sarakham University, Maha Sarakham, 44000, Thailand. & Renewable Energy and Nano-materials Research (RENR), Physics Major, Faculty of Science and Technology Rajabhat Maha Sarakham University, Maha Sarakham, 44000, Thailand. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1825-0097
  • Apisit Keacharoen Program of Physics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Rajabhat Maha Sarakham University, Maha Sarakham, 44000, Thailand.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55674/ias.v15i3.267854

Keywords:

Nanostructured materials, Thermal oxidation, Additive, Gas sensor, ZnO

Abstract

This study presents the fabrication of activated carbon (AC) electrodes derived from natural materials for high-performance supercapacitor applications. Five types of biomass were used as carbon precursors: bamboo, rain tree wood, tiger grass, redwood, and litchi wood, respectively. The activated carbon was prepared via physical activation at 800 °C for 2 h. under an argon atmosphere. Structural, morphological, and elemental properties were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). Electrochemical performance was evaluated through charge–discharge testing. The results reveal that the synthesized carbon exhibits an amorphous structure with characteristic peaks at (002) and (101) planes. SEM images show irregular porous structures with rough surfaces, contributing to high surface area. EDX analysis confirms high carbon purity (~99 wt%). The electrochemical measurements demonstrate a maximum specific capacitance of 50.50 F g−1 at a constant current of 20 mA.

References

T.G. Hailu, A.K. Worku, F.G. Hone, Zinc oxide (ZnO)-based photoanodes for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), Mater. Today Commun. 52 (2026) 115161.

E. Comini, Metal oxides nanowires chemical/gas sensors: recent advances, Mater. Today Adv. 7 (2020) 100099.

M.W. Ahn, K.S. Park, J.H. Heo, J.G. Park, D.W. Kim, K.J. Choi, J.H. Lee, S.H. Hong, Gas sensing properties of defect-controlled ZnO-nanowire gas sensor, Appl. Phys. Lett. 93 (2008) 263103.

Y. Jin, J. Li, T. Ueki, B. Zheng, Y. Fan, C. Yang, Z. Li, D. Wang, D. Xu, T. Gu, F. Wang, Electrically conductive nanowires controlled one pivotal route in energy harvest and microbial corrosion via direct metal-microbe electron transfer, J. Mater. Sci. Technol. 174 (2024) 226 − 233.

Y. Zhang, Y. Fu, K.C. Li, M. Ekambaram, R. Dai, P.R. Cooper, Q.-L. Li, M.L. Mei, Application of nanowire technology in dentistry: A narrative review, Dent. Mater. 42 (2026) 1663 − 1673.

M.H. Nawaz, A. Kumar, F.-C. Chuang, V.K. Ponnusamy, P.V. Pham, The world of metal nanowires: Recent advances in syntheses, electronic applications, and engineering challenges, Mater. Today. 92 (2026) 606 − 669.

T. Santhaveesuk, K. Shimanoe, K. Suematsu, S. Choopun, Size-Independent and Ultrahigh CO Gas Sensor Based on TiO2 Modified ZnO Tetrapods, Phys. Status Solidi (A): Appl. Mater. Sci. 215 (2018) 1700784.

T. Santhaveesuk, Y. Keawtoakrue, K. Siwawongkasem, S. Choopun, Size and Shape Tailoring of ZnO Nanoparticles, Key Eng. Mater. 675-676 (2016) 61 − 64.

K. Beigi, H. Karimi-Alavijeh, P. Molla-Abbasi, Sensitive and selective humidity sensors based on organic field-effect transistors with PVP and PVP-ZnO gate dielectrics, Sens. Actuators A.: Phys. 405 (2026) 117843.

Y.-L. Chu, S.-J. Young, P.-K. Chen, T.-T. Chu, 1-D ZnO nanowire arrays with adsorbed Au nanoparticles through a novel sodium citrate reduction method for field-emission applications under UV light illumination, J. Alloys Compd. 1020 (2025) 179255.

T. Santhaveesuk, D. Wongratanaphisan, S. Choopun, Enhancement of sensor response by TiO2 mixing and Au coating on ZnO tetrapod sensor, Sens. Actuators B.: Chem. 147 (2010) 502 − 507.

T. Xiang, J. Yi, Near room-temperature and humidity-tolerant hydrogen sensing with Pt single atom-loaded SnO2 nanofibers, Int. J. Hydrogen Energy. 179 (2025) 151613.

G. Li, H. Jian, J.-H. Kim, S. Min, M. Hilal, Z. Cai, Synergistic electronic and chemical sensitization of Au–Pt alloy anchored porous ZnO nanofibers for UV-assisted room-temperature NO2 detection, Sens. Actuators B.: Chem. 465 (2026) 140237.

X. Kou, F. Meng, K. Chen, T. Wang, P. Sun, F. Liu, X. Yan, Y. Sun, F. Liu, K. Shimanoe, G. Lu, High-performance acetone gas sensor based on Ru-doped SnO2 nanofibers, Sens. Actuators B.: Chem. 320 (2020) 128292.

H. Liu, J. Zhang, C. Yang, R. Lv, Y. Wen, Y. Zhang, High response and low detection limit of Gd-doped ZnO nanosheet composite gas sensor for ethanol gas, Ceram. Int. 51 (2025) 51762 − 51774.

B. Soltabayev, A. Ajjaq, G. Yergaliuly, Y. Kadyrov, A. Turlybekuly, S. Acar, A. Mentbayeva, Ultrasensitive nitric oxide gas sensors based on Ti-doped ZnO nanofilms prepared by RF magnetron sputtering system, J. Alloys Compd. 953 (2023) 170125.

T. Santhaveesuk, D. Wongratanaphisan, S. Choopun, Enhancement of Ethanol Sensing Properties by Alloying TiO2 With ZnO Tetrapods, IEEE Sens. J. 10 (2010) 39 − 43.

Y. Zeng, T. Zhang, L. Wang, M. Kang, H. Fan, R. Wang, Y. He, Enhanced toluene sensing characteristics of TiO2-doped flowerlike ZnO nanostructures, Sens. Actuators B.: Chem. 140 (2009) 73 − 78.

S. Choopun, N. Hongsith, E. Wongrat, Metal-Oxide Nanowires by Thermal Oxidation Reaction Technique, in: P. Prete (Eds.) Nanowires, InTech, India, 2010, pp. 97 − 116.

E. Wongrat, S. Choopun, Sensitivity Improvement of Ethanol Sensor Based on ZnO Nanostructure by Metal Impregnation, Sens. Lett. 9 (2011) 936.

J. Yang, J.H. Swisher, The phase stability of Zn2Ti3O8, Mater. Charact. 37 (1996) 153 – 159.

Z. Wang, S.K. Saxena, C.S. Zha, In situ x-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy of pressure-induced phase transformation in spinel Zn2TiO4, Phys. Rev. B. 66 (2002) 024103-6

B.L. Zhu, C.S. Xie, W.Y. Wang, K.J. Huang, J.H. Hu, Improvement in gas sensitivity of ZnO thick film to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by adding TiO2, Mater. Lett. 58 (2004) 624 − 629.

N. Hongsith, E. Wongrat, T. Kerdcharoen, S. Choopun, Sensor response formula for sensor based on ZnO nanostructures, Sens. Actuators B.: Chem. 144 (2010) 67 − 72.

Downloads

Published

2026-09-01

How to Cite

Ponhan, W., Ponken, T., & Keacharoen, A. (2026). Comparation of Activated Carbon Electrodes from Natural Materials for Supercapacitor Applications in Energy Storage Systems. Indochina Applied Sciences, 15(3), 267854. https://doi.org/10.55674/ias.v15i3.267854