Electrospun Lignin-Based Carbon Nanofibers as Supercapacitor\nElectrodes

Abstract

Lignin\nshows great potential for carbon-based functional materials\nand composite material electronics. However, high heterogeneity, poor\nthermal stability, and low molecular weight limit the practical application\nof lignin for fiber-shaped lignin-based materials, especially in the\nfield of supercapacitors with high energy storage devices. Herein,\na simple modification and fractionation strategy is designed to obtain\nlignin for the preparation of high-performance lignin-based carbon\nfibers (CFs). The modification and fractionation process effectively\nincreases the molecular weight and reduces the heterogeneity of lignin.\nThe introduction of lignin with large molecular weight and low heterogeneity\nis conducive to reduce the carbon weight loss of the precursor fibers,\nmaintain the morphology of lignin-based CFs, and then significantly\nimprove the specific surface area and energy storage properties. The\nspecific surface area and energy storage density of the obtained lignin-based\nCFs reach 2042.86 m²/g and 442.2 F/g, respectively. This\nstrategy provides a simple and effective method for the preparation\nof high-performance, low-cost, and green energy storage materials.