Hierarchical porous structured N-doped activated carbon derived from Helianthus Annuus seed as a cathode material for hybrid supercapacitor device

[Display omitted] •Activated/N-doped activated carbon is derived from the Helianthus Annuus seed.•After doping the N-heteroatom in the carbon material, the porosity is increasing, and it is arranged hierarchically.•Activated and N-doped activated carbon reveal the maximum specific capacitance of 126 and 330 F g−1 at 2 A g−1 respectively.•N-doped activated carbon is suitable candidate for supercapacitor and lithium-ion batteries. Biomass derived activated carbon materials are used as an effective adsorbent for heavy metal ions and effectively used as a potential cathode material for supercapacitors and lithium-ion batteries due to its hierarchical pore distribution and high surface area. Activated/N-doped activated carbon is derived from Helianthus Annuus seed using chemical activation process. After introducing the heteroatom into the carbon layers, the porosity nature is enhanced, and it is observed from the SEM and TEM images. The synergistic effect of heteroatoms and the uniform distribution of pores in the N-doped activated carbon (NASC) endows to attain the superior specific capacitance (capacity) of 330 F g−1 (226 C g−1) at a current density of 2 A g−1.