Ultrasonic-Assisted Synthesis of Nanosized Graphite Obtained from Biomass and Its Assembly in Polyaniline-Composite Material for Energy Storage

Abstract

This work shows the synthesis and characterization of graphite-like materials produced from the pyrolysis of biomass, obtained from industrial waste. The product has shown interesting electrochemical characteristics for application in the formation of a composite material with polyaniline, creating a perspective of application in a so-called “waste” helping to avoid environmental issues associated with this industrial disposal. The raw pyrolyzed material was further separated into nanosized structures by applying high-potency ultrasonic radiation, which was used in the modification of flexible electrodes of polyaniline, resulting in a composite material. Thermogravimetric analysis, electrochemical experiments, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and electronic microscopy were used for the characterization of the material itself and the composite electrode. The interaction between the modified graphite-like materials and polyaniline produced a high superficial area electrode, in a one-step synthesis. Such composite material favors the intrinsic conductivity of the conducting polymer, which was confirmed by the enhancement of its electrochemical and interfacial properties even in milder electrolytes, generating good perspectives for other electrochemical applications. These results demonstrate the potential of developing this composite material in energy storage electrodes.