Porous nitrogen-doped carbons derived from poultry feathers for electrochemical capacitors

The synthesis of a nitrogen doped carbon material (NDCM) from the ball-milling and chemical activation of high temperature carbonised waste chicken feathers is reported. Synthesised NDCMs with nitrogen content ranging from 2.2 to 6.6 wt% were analysed via a range of physio and electrochemical characterisation methods. The effects of carbonisation temperature, mechanical milling and chemical activation were evaluated on specific capacitance and charge retention. Electrochemical testing demonstrated that the optimised NDCM (carbonised at 700 °C followed by ball milling and chemical activation) possessed a specific capacitance of 195 F g−1 at 1 A g−1 current density. At the higher current density of 40 A g−1 89 % of the capacitance is retained. Moreover, this material showed a cycle life of 1000 galvanostatic charge/discharge cycles with a 1 % loss in capacitance at a current density of 5 A g−1. •Nitrogen-doped porous activated carbons derived from poultry feathers waste.•Effect of carbonisation temperature, ball milling and chemical activation on capacitive performance.•The capacitance of NCM(CF)-700BA reached 195 F g−1 at 1 A g−1 current density.•High rate capability achieved at 40 A g-1 retaining 89 % of charge.