Study of the synthesis of carbon-containing materials based on modified pine bark for the accumulation of electric charge

The purpose of this study is to investigate structural, electrochemical and electron-transporting properties of the carbonic materials prepared from pine bark sawdust modified with low-toxic reagents (H2O2, NaHCO3, and ZnCl2) for their possible use as environmentally friendly electrode material in supercapacitors. Comprehensive analysis of products using XRD, CV, and EPR has revealed the main reasons for the accumulation of electric charge in carbonic materials. It has been shown that the highest specific surface area (777 m(2)/g) and apparent specific capacity (950 F/g) occur in composites made from a mixture of pine bark and zinc chloride. The high electron conductivity, inhomogeneous electronic states, and the presence of inclusions of the crystalline phases of ZnO characterize the carbon matrix of this composite. It is assumed that one reason for accumulation of electric charge in carbonic composite is the presence of local nanostructures with high electron conductivity. The mineral impurities of metal oxides contained in bark can play the role of additional active centers of electric charge transfer during electrolysis and contribute to an increase in the specific capacity of the material.