Carbon Aerogels Derived from Anion-Modified Nanocellulose for Adaptive Supercapacitor Performance

Abstract

In the pursuit of developing advanced carbon aerogel (CA) supercapacitors, a rational design approach is introduced that utilizes often overlooked conjugated anions to modulate the properties of CAs. Ionic cross-linking of cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) aerogels ensures the preservation of structural integrity even after carbonization. Interestingly, anion selection not only influences the cross-linking and carbonization processes but also significantly modulates the electrochemical performance of the resulting CAs. This is found to be vital in optimizing the overall supercapacitor performance. Electro-assisted (EA) wetting of the electrodes procures an adaptive and progressive performance enhancement, heralding the advent of sustainable supercapacitors crafted from earth-abundant materials.