Sustainable activated carbon fiber from sawdust by reactivation for high-performance supercapacitors

Activated carbon fibers (ACFs) produced from recycled fir sawdust were used as electrodes in supercapacitors. It was shown that the ultramicropores (0.65-0.85 nm) were most efficient in contributing to the supercapacitor capacitance, while mesopores helped increase the rate performance capacitance. The experimental ACF electrode supercapacitor indicated a capacitance of 242 F g(-1) in 6 M KOH aqueous electrolyte exhibiting a high energy density of 8.4 Wh kg(-1) at a power density of 250 W kg(-1). Excellent cycle stability was also achieved, showing a good competitiveness of wood-based ACFs in comparison with other activated carbons currently used in supercapacitors.