Surface Treatment for Improved Electrochemical Performance of Activated Carbon Derived from Palm Empty Fruit Bunches

Hasan Marzuki; Alya Naili Rozhan; Mohd Hanafi Ani; Hadi Purwanto

doi:10.31436/iiumej.v27i3.4626

Authors

Hasan Marzuki International Islamic University Malaysia
Alya Naili Rozhan International Islamic University Malaysia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7700-4494
Mohd Hanafi Ani https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2616-8218
Hadi Purwanto Universitas Internasional Semen Indonesia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6995-9998

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31436/iiumej.v27i3.4626

Keywords:

Empty Fruit Bunch, Activated Carbon, Physical Activation, Acid Surface Treatment, Supercapacitor

Abstract

Recent interests in sustainable and green technologies for energy storage systems require extensive research to develop sustainable electrode materials. This includes developing biomass-derived activated carbons. In this research, empty fruit bunch (EFB) has been selected as the precursor material to produce activated carbon by the physical activation method, performed at 500 °C to 800 °C. Subsequently, a surface treatment process was performed using nitric acid to introduce oxygen functional groups. This step further improved the electrochemical properties of the EFB-based activated carbon material. The resulting samples were analyzed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The electrochemical performance was examined through cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge–discharge, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). FTIR analysis confirmed successful incorporation of oxygen functional groups, enhanced surface wettability, and improved electrolyte penetration. CV measurements showed a significant increase in the specific capacitance after treatment. Surface treatment of the activated carbon positively impacted all samples. The largest percentage increase was observed in sample AC ST 500, with a 71% increase in specific capacitance from 24 F g^-1 to 71 F g^-1. AC ST 800 displayed the highest overall capacitance after surface treatment, at 183 F g^-1, a 9% increase from 166 F g^-1 before surface treatment. This result shows that adding oxygen functional groups improves these properties by increasing surface wettability, which increases ion penetration within the activated carbon.

ABSTRAK: Minat yang semakin meningkat terhadap teknologi mampan dan hijau bagi sistem penyimpanan tenaga memerlukan penyelidikan menyeluruh bagi membangunkan bahan elektrod mampan, termasuk karbon teraktif berasaskan biojisim. Dalam kajian ini, tandan buah kosong (TBK) dipilih sebagai bahan pelopor bagi menghasilkan karbon teraktif melalui kaedah pengaktifan fizikal pada suhu antara 500 °C hingga 800 °C. Seterusnya, rawatan permukaan menggunakan asid nitrik dijalankan bagi menerapkan kumpulan berfungsi yang mengandungi oksigen dan seterusnya meningkatkan sifat elektrokimia bahan karbon teraktif berasaskan TBK. Sampel terhasil dianalisis menggunakan spektroskopi inframerah transformasi Fourier (FTIR), spektroskopi Raman dan spektroskopi fotoelektron sinar-X (XPS), manakala prestasi elektrokimia ini dinilai melalui voltametri berkitar (CV), pengecasan–nyahcas galvanostatik dan spektroskopi impedans elektrokimia (EIS). Analisis FTIR mengesahkan kejayaan penerapan kumpulan berfungsi yang mengandungi oksigen, peningkatan kebolehbasahan permukaan dan penembusan elektrolit yang lebih baik. Pengukuran CV menunjukkan peningkatan ketara dalam kemuatan tentu selepas rawatan permukaan, dengan kesan positif diperhatikan pada semua sampel. Peningkatan peratusan terbesar dicatat pada sampel AC ST 500, dengan kemuatan tentu meningkat kira-kira 71%, daripada 24 F g?¹ kepada 71 F g?¹. Sampel AC ST 800 pula mencatatkan kemuatan tentu keseluruhan tertinggi selepas rawatan permukaan, iaitu 183 F g?¹, bersamaan peningkatan kira-kira 9% daripada 166 F g?¹ sebelum rawatan. Dapatan ini menunjukkan bahawa penerapan kumpulan berfungsi yang mengandungi oksigen dapat meningkatkan prestasi elektrokimia karbon teraktif dengan memperbaiki kebolehbasahan permukaannya, sekaligus meningkatkan penembusan ion ke dalam struktur karbon teraktif.

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