In a recent study published in Ionics, researchers Yogini Gunasekaran, Shahid Bashir, et al. explored the potential of palm-based materials for enhancing supercapacitor performance. The study reveals that biocharBiochar is a carbon-rich material created from biomass decomposition in low-oxygen conditions. It has important applications in environmental remediation, soil improvement, agriculture, carbon sequestration, energy storage, and sustainable materials, promoting efficiency and reducing waste in various contexts while addressing climate change challenges. More derived from empty fruit bunches (EFB), a byproduct of the palm oil industry, can be used to create efficient electrode materials for supercapacitors.

The researchers synthesized biochar and a composite of titanium dioxide (TiO2​) with biochar, finding that the composite, particularly with a 1:3 ratio of TiO2​ to biochar, showed enhanced electrochemical performance compared to biochar alone. Specifically, the TiO2​/biochar (1:3) composite achieved a maximum specific capacitance of 350 F/g, a 70% improvement compared to biochar’s 155 F/g. Furthermore, the composite demonstrated better stability, retaining 95% of its capacitance after 5000 charge-discharge cycles.

The study highlights the potential of biochar, derived from EFB through gasificationGasification is a high-temperature, thermochemical process that converts carbon-based materials into a gaseous fuel called syngas and solid by-products. It takes place in an oxygen-deficient environment at temperatures typically above 750°C. Unlike combustion, which fully burns material to produce heat and carbon dioxide (CO2​), gasification More and sodium hydroxide activation, as a cost-effective and high-performance electrode material. The addition of TiO2​ nanoparticles further enhances the material’s electrochemical properties, combining the high surface area and conductivity of biochar with the pseudocapacitance of TiO2​.

Utilizing EFB for supercapacitor electrodes not only offers improved performance but also addresses the environmental challenge posed by the slow decomposition of palm oil waste. This approach provides a sustainable and economically viable solution for energy storage applications. While the study demonstrates promising results, the authors note that further research is needed to address the structural degradation of these materials over extended charge-discharge cycles.

Nevertheless, the findings suggest that palm-derived biochar and its composites hold significant potential for the development of next-generation supercapacitors with enhanced energy storage capabilities.

Source: Gunasekaran, Y., Bashir, S., Vengadaesvaran, B., Gunasegeran, S., Zahra, T., Ramesh, S., & Ramesh, K. (2025). Synthesis and characterization of palm-based TiO2​/biochar composites as electrode material for supercapacitor. Ionics.