Biomass-derived hard carbon for supercapacitors

Exploring utilization of abundant renewable resources to design eco-friendly and high power, energy storage devices is not only challenging but also a fascinating task. In this context, research is working towards affordable, safety, long-durable, smart supercapacitors. Recently, biomass-derived nanomaterials have been widely explored for their application as electrodes to produce clean energy and hazardous chemical-free components of supercapacitors. Among different biomass derivatives, hard carbon offers high charge storage capacity and stability, ultimately boosting its demand for use in advanced hybrid capacitors. This chapter will discuss the basics of hard-carbon and various nanocomposites with hard-carbon electrode materials applied in different supercapacitors with their compatible electrolytes. Additionally, insights into their electrochemical properties and their synthesis and physiochemical features will be illustrated. The best operational parameters will be highlighted to provide readers with the future scope of this research area.