Abstract:
Binderless supercapacitor electrode monoliths (BSEM), prepared via the carbonization and activation of
green monoliths from (a) self-adhesive carbon grains (SACG) from oil palm empty fruit bunch
fibers, (b)
SACG mixed with KOH, and (c) mixtures of SACG, KOH, and varying percentages of carbon nanotubes
(CNTs), were characterized and evaluated in symmetrical supercapacitor cells. The porosity and the
structural and microstructural characteristics of the electrodes are influenced by KOH and CNTs. The
electrodes containing CNTs have a relatively lower specific capacitance but exhibit lower equivalent
series resistance values and hence can sustain or improve the specific power of the cells, suggesting the
need to optimize the quantity of CNTs used to sustain higher specific capacitance above 100 F/g. This
innovative process uses inexpensive SACG with relatively small quantities of CNTs and KOH with no
binder, and it directly combines both chemical (KOH) and physical (CO2) activation during the production
of BSEM.
