Electrochemical performance evaluation of the spent carbon-based catalysts recycled from methane dry reforming

Methane dry reforming (MDR) is a potential solution to utilize the two greenhouse gases, CH4 and CO2, but little work has been done to provide a strategy for recycling the spent catalysts especially for the carbon-based catalysts. Nowadays the use of low-cost and efficient electrode materials has received increasing attention for supercapacitors. In this work, the spent carbon-based catalysts recycled from MDR were used as the electrode materials of supercapacitors after KOH activation. The results show that the obtained porous carbon has a surface area up to 616–865 m2 g−1, and the specific capacitance value of 151–190 F g−1 can be achieved at a current density of 0.5 A g−1. The assembled electrochemical capacitor can power 10 LED-lights for more than 120 s by a single charge. This work provides a promising strategy for recycling the spent carbon-based catalyst with economic and environmental benefits.