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News Excerpt:

Researchers at the Government College for Women in Thiruvananthapuram have developed an innovative method to produce activated carbon from coconut husks, a major agricultural residue in Kerala.

Process Involved:

• The research team utilized a microwave-assisted method designed at the Centralised Common Instrumentation Facility (CCIF) of the college. 
• This method allows for the production of high-quality activated carbon within five minutes, using an advanced microwave pyrolysis reactor.
• The process eliminates impurities such as ash and generates zero waste. 
• The resulting activated carbon boasts an impressive surface area of 1,200 m²/g and a highly porous structure, making it ideal for supercapacitor applications.

Significance of the Experiment:

• The coconut husk-derived activated carbon offers a sustainable and efficient green solution for supercapacitors due to its availability, low cost, and environmentally friendly nature. 

• Supercapacitors, known for their significantly higher capacitance and energy storage capacity compared to conventional capacitors, are crucial for advancing sustainable energy storage solutions.

• However, finding an ideal supercapacitor electrode material has been a challenge.
• The prototype supercapacitors made from this activated carbon were found to be four times more efficient than existing supercapacitors.
• This method is not only inexpensive but also exhibits exceptional supercapacitor capabilities.
• The innovative microwave-assisted method is also under consideration for an Indian patent, opening new avenues for the production of activated carbon.

Impact and Future Prospects:

• This breakthrough has significant implications for the field of energy storage.

• The high-power output of these supercapacitors is demonstrated by their ability to power two LEDs for 20 minutes.

• The research has been published in the American Chemical Society’s peer-reviewed Sustainable Resource Management Journal, highlighting its importance.

The development of eco-friendly supercapacitors using coconut husk-derived activated carbon marks a significant step forward in sustainable technology, potentially transforming how energy storage solutions are approached in the future.