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

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. This work unveils a design approach for developing carbon aerogels (CAs) from nanocellulose, enhanced by anion modification for supercapacitors. It highlights how anion choice impacts aerogel properties and electrochemical performance, with findings showing specific anions improve surface area and pore distribution, thereby influencing optimal electrolyte selection. Additionally, it introduces innovative electro-assisted (EA) wetting technique for optimal energy storage. image