Key Takeaways & Executive Findings
- •• A Moiré-like structure was engineered on lignin carbon electrodes via in-situ deposition onto a DVD matrix, enhancing light absorption and electrochemical performance. • Under illumination, the Moiré-like carbon electrode achieved a specific capacitance of 253.5 F g−1 at 0.5 A g−1, a 35.6% improvement over the non-grating counterpart. • A symmetrical supercapacitor based on this material delivered an areal capacitance of 58.84 mF cm−2 and an energy density of 4.46 Wh kg−1, with 85.2% capacitance retention after 5000 cycles. • This work provides a cost-effective strategy to simultaneously improve light-harvesting and capacitive performance in photo-assisted supercapacitors.
Abstract
Conventional lignin-based carbons typically have sluggish ion transport and a limited number of active sites, which restrict their performance as electrodes in supercapacitors. A Moiré-like morphology was engineered by the in-situ deposition of lignin carbon onto DVD matrix onto lignin carbon for the fabrication of a photo-assisted supercapacitor (PASC). The Moiré-like structure modulates light propagation across different frequencies by dispersion effects, thereby increasing surface light absorption and improving the electrochemical performance of the PASC. Under illumination, the carbon has a specific capacitance of 253.5 F g−1 at 0.5 A g−1, corresponding to a 35.6% improvement over one without this grating surface (186.9 F g−1). A symmetrical capacitor using this material has an areal capacitance of 58.84 mF cm−2 and an energy density of 4.46 Wh kg−1 at a power density of 365.2 W kg−1, maintaining 85.2% of its initial capacitance after 5000 cycles, thus demonstrating excellent cycling stability. This work suggests a cost-effective strategy to simultaneously improve the light-harvesting ability and capacitive performance of PASCs.
1. Introduction
In recent years, photo-assisted supercapacitors (PASCs) have attracted considerable attention as emerging energy storage devices because they integrate light harvesting with electrical energy storage[1–2]. Compared to conventional supercapacitors, PASCs demonstrate superior energy density, cycling stability, and charge-discharge efficiency, particularly as a result of their electro-optical energy storage synergy[3–4]. Carbon-based materials, particularly lignin-carbon electrodes, have emerged as promising candidates for PASCs due to their favorable conductivity, tunable surface chemistry, low cost and abundant availability[5–6].
However, despite their success in conventional electrochemical systems, carbon electrodes face critical challenges in PASCs, including limited photoelectric conversion efficiency, suboptimal pore architectures, and inefficient light-electricity coupling[7–9]. Lignin carbon materials are regarded as promising candidates for PASC electrodes, due to their advantageous properties, including their low production cost and good electrochemical stability. However, their performance in photo-assisted systems is often limited by structural disorder and compositional heterogeneity. The broad molecular weight distribution of lignin results in irregular pore structures after carbonization, which restrict ion diffusion and compromise the photoelectric conversion efficiency of the electrodes[10–12]. More critically, the inherently low electrical conductivity of lignin-based carbons poses a significant challenge, as efficient photo-to-electrical energy conversion hinges on expeditious electron transport.
Despite the success of strategies such as pore structure engineering and material compositing, which have yielded improvements, there remains a challenge in the simultaneous enhancement of photoelectric conversion efficiency and electrical conductivity while preserving low cost[13–14]. This issue remains a central challenge in the development of high-performance PASC. To address these challenges, current research focuses on three main strategies: optimizing electrode architectures to accelerate ion diffusion and photoelectric conversion, enhancing electrical conductivity by compositing and doping, and exploring synergistic photoelectric energy storage mechanisms[15–18]. Li et al.[19] adopted a “one-stone-two-birds” strategy using potassium ferrate,
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WANG Yizhe, LI Cong, YUAN Meng, LIU Xing, HE Yanzhen, GUO Weimin, JIAO Haochen, LI Yudong, YANG Haiyue, WANG Chengyu (2025). Construction of Moiré-like lignin based carbon electrodes to efficiently improve the performance of photo-assisted supercapacitors. SinoTechIntel Verified Research. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1872-5805(NCM2026-41-03-07)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Moiré-like structure and how is it created?
A Moiré-like structure is a periodic pattern formed by the superposition of two similar periodic structures. In this study, it was engineered by the in-situ deposition of lignin carbon onto a DVD matrix, which serves as a template, followed by carbonization. This structure modulates light propagation and enhances light absorption.
How does the Moiré-like structure improve supercapacitor performance?
The Moiré-like structure increases surface light absorption through dispersion effects, which enhances the photoelectric conversion efficiency. Under illumination, the specific capacitance improved by 35.6% compared to a non-grating surface, and the overall electrochemical performance was significantly boosted.
What are the key performance metrics of the fabricated photo-assisted supercapacitor?
The Moiré-like lignin carbon electrode achieved a specific capacitance of 253.5 F g−1 at 0.5 A g−1 under illumination. A symmetrical capacitor using this material exhibited an areal capacitance of 58.84 mF cm−2, an energy density of 4.46 Wh kg−1 at a power density of 365.2 W kg−1, and retained 85.2% of its initial capacitance after 5000 cycles.
What are the advantages of using lignin as a precursor for supercapacitor electrodes?
Lignin is abundant, low-cost, and has a high carbon content, making it an attractive precursor for carbon electrodes. It also offers tunable surface chemistry and good electrochemical stability, which are beneficial for supercapacitor applications.
What is the significance of this work for the development of photo-assisted supercapacitors?
This work presents a cost-effective strategy to simultaneously improve light-harvesting ability and capacitive performance in PASCs. By engineering a Moiré-like structure on lignin carbon electrodes, it addresses the challenges of limited photoelectric conversion efficiency and sluggish ion transport, paving the way for high-performance, sustainable energy storage devices.
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