Performance of wasteland biomass Calotropis gigantea derived activated carbon as Lithium-ion battery anode

In the present study, activated carbon produced from wasteland biomass of Calotropis gigantea stem has been used as a potential anode for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Activated carbon was derived from Calotropis gigantea by chemical activation using CaOCl2 and biomass at 0.5:1 and 1:1 ratio along with thermal treatment at 400 °C, 600 °C, and 900 °C, respectively, under normal atmospheric conditions. The electrochemical performance of the biomass-derived anode was analysed in CR2032 type coin-cell by cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge-discharge, rate capability, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). From the above studies, it was found that the chemical activation parameter(s) has a pronounced effect on the electrochemical performance. Electrode prepared from the activated carbon produced by chemical impregnation ratio of 0.5:1 with thermal treatment of 600 °C demonstrated the highest specific capacity of ~446 mAhg−1 owing to suitable hierarchical porous structure able to (de)intercalate Li-ions at ease. To summarize, it can be postulated that the wasteland biomass-derived activated carbon is a promising, cost-effective, eco-friendly material that can be utilized to synthesize LIBs anode, potentially replacing graphite in the future.