Coniferous pine biomass: A novel insight into sustainable carbon materials for supercapacitors electrode

Low-cost biomass-derived activated porous carbon from natural pine cones is synthesized using hydrothermal approach followed by KOH activation and carbonization. The produced carbon materials have a high surface area of 1515 m2 g−1 with a well-developed meso/micropores structure which is advantageous and favorable for mass transfer and ion accommodation for fast rate performance by providing pathways for electrolyte permeation and contact probability. Symmetric device fabricated using the obtained carbon material as electrode, exhibited good electrochemical performance with no degradation of capacitance after voltage holding at 1 V for about 60 h demonstrating good rate capability of the fabricated device. The results demonstrate the exciting potential of the pine cone derived carbons as a promising candidate for high-performance electrode materials for supercapacitors if fully explored. [Display omitted] •Sustainable carbon materials from pine cone biomass.•Hydrothermal treatment of the pine cone to produce hydrochar.•KOH activation and carbonization of the hydrochar to produce porous carbons.•Symmetric supercapacitor based on the porous carbon exhibit good electrochemical performance.