BAGASSE-Based graphene oxide for energy applications.

Abstract

This study purposed to explore the feasibility of generating and synthesizing graphene oxide for energy storage applications through sustainable upgrade of bagasse by pyrolysis. The researcher was cognizant of the fact that sugarcane processing factories produce tons of bagasse that can be utilized to enhance energy sources and thus, a sustainable method for the preparation and synthesis of graphene derivatives from a non-graphitic material needed to be explored. Therefore, this study used bagasse as a biomass precursor to synthesize graphene oxide. The carbonization was carried out at 550°C and the activation was carried out using both chemical and physical processes. This was done for comparative purposes. The physical process involved two steps: carbonization of the bagasse in an inert atmosphere and subsequent activation of the resulting char in the presence of steam, at furnace temperature of 800°C under a water stream. The produced materials were tested for energy storage using a three-electrode system for supercapacitor application with an electrochemical workstation. The activated carbon exhibited amorphous carbon structures, with 360 to 400 nm peaks. The graphite flakes and GO were characterized by ultra-violet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron microscopy (SEM) with Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and electrochemical analysis techniques. This research did appreciate that the expected absorption peak at 283nm in the analysis of the UV-vis absorption spectrum is an attributive property of the sp2 hybridization π-π* transition. Also, evidence of graphene oxide in the synthesized sample was underscored by the reflection peaks 2ϴ = 11o. The incorporation of oxygen into the carbon structure signalled correct oxidation and profiling by the FTIR spectrum demonstrated a fingerprint region between 1000 cm -1 and 1500 cm-1. The outcome is a superior, locally produced, low cost porous graphene oxide that will in all likelihood confer good performance in super capacitor applications. Avowedly, the production of graphene oxide has been replicated to varying degrees world over. However, herein on offer is the protocol for producing graphene oxide of reliable quality, made efficiently and sustainably. Consequently, the research offers a seedbed of opportunities to revolutionise electrochemical and energy storage options in various interdisciplinary and multifunctional spheres including industrial and biomedical applications in Uganda.