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The study has prepared highly conducting polymer electrolyte films using solution cast technique with poly(vinylidene fluoride‐co‐hexafluoropropylene) PVDF‐HFP, mixture of ethylene carbonate (EC), and propylene carbonate (PC) as plasticizer and latex of Calotropis gigantea (CGL) as an ionic source. In this study, four films are prepared using PVDF‐HFP:CGL in ratio 1:1 with the increasing concentration of EC+PC as 1, 2, 3, and 4 M named as 1:1:1, 1:1:2, 1:1:3, 1:1:4. The prepared polymer electrolyte is examined by polarized optical microscopy (POM), elemental dispersive X‐ray technique (EDX), and complex impedance spectroscopy. EDX and POM are studied for the surface morphology of all prepared samples and to investigate the porous nature of films. The enhancement in ionic conductivity occurs due to CGL and increasing amount of EC‐PC. Conductivity of highest composition (1:1:4) polymer electrolyte film is found to be ≈10−3 S cm−1. The optimized polymer electrolyte film is considered as a promising candidate for application in supercapacitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphene is a unique nanocarbon nanostructure, which has been frequently used to form nanocomposites. Green-synthesized graphene has been focused due to environmentally friendly requirements in recent technological sectors. A very important application of green-synthesized graphene-based nanocomposite has been observed in energy storage devices. This state-of-the-art review highlights design, features, and advanced functions of polymer/green-synthesized graphene nanocomposites and their utility in supercapacitor components. Green graphene-derived nanocomposites brought about numerous revolutions in high-performance supercapacitors. The structural diversity of conjugated polymer and green graphene-based nanocomposites has facilitated the charge transportation/storage capacity, specific capacitance, capacitance retention, cyclability, and durability of supercapacitor electrodes. Moreover, the green method, graphene functionality, dispersion, and matrix--nanofiller interactions have affected supercapacitance properties and performance. Future research on innovative polymer and green graphene-derived nanocomposites may overcome design/performance-related challenging factors for technical usages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sole aim of the present article is to develop an ionic liquid (IL)-doped solid polymer electrolyte for an electrochemical double-layer capacitor (EDLC). A solution cast technique was adopted to develop a solid polymer electrolyte of poly (vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) as host polymer and low-viscosity IL (1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium thiocyanate) as dopant. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurement showed a six orders of magnitude enhancement in conductivity (σ) by IL doping. A linear sweep voltammetric investigation of the electrolyte films exhibited a good electrochemical stability window of 3.6 V. Polarized optical microscopy of the synthesized films revealed a reduction in crystallinity by IL doping. Infrared spectroscopy further affirms the composite nature of the film. The maximum conductivity value of 2.65 mS/cm is obtained for 80% of the ionic-doped system. Using maximum conductivity film and porous carbon-based electrodes, we have developed EDLCs that show a specific capacitance value of 2.36 F/g. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ionic liquid‐doped poly(vinylpyrrolidone), ammonium iodide (NH4I) ion conducting polymer electrolytes are prepared by solution cast technique. Ionic liquid (IL), 1‐hexyl‐3‐methylimidazolium (HMImI) is then added to increase the ionic conductivity of polymer electrolytes by reducing the crystallinity of polymer electrolyte. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirms the complex formation as well as composite nature. Polarized optical microscopy affirms the reduction of crystallinity in polymer electrolyte by IL doping. Electrochemical double layer capacitors are then assembled using maximum conducting polymer electrolyte and porous carbon‐based electrodes which shows excellent specific capacitance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Various characteristics of biochar are discussed for their application in MFCs. • Different methods of biochar synthesis are elaborated. • Emerging methods are explained to estimate biochar potential and its life cycle assessment. • The advantages and environmental applications of biochar are described. • Analytical studies focusing on the ability of biochar catalyst are discussed in poison detection. The International Biochar Initiative classifies biochar as "a solid material derived from the carbonization of biomass." Biochar is a solid substance produced during the thermochemical degradation of biomass. This paper describes several examinations that have been conducted to investigate novel utilization of biomass since biochar is affordable, environmentally beneficial, and can be utilized for diverse purposes, such as soil stabilization, wastewater treatment, greenhouse gas management and power generation. Biochar has also been applied in fuel cells and supercapacitors, according to the latest reports. Biochar has the potential to be new and tenable material for microbial fuel cell electrodes. Biochar MFCs made through pyrolysis and gasification, exhibited significant performance as compared to activated carbon and graphite granule. This paper emphasizes the use of biochar as electrodes in MFCs to facilitate the simultaneous treatment of wastewater and electricity generation while also providing additional commercial advantages. Applications of biochar in microbial fuel cells as separator membrane and cathode catalysts are also mentioned. Brief information on the future prospects of the use of biochar in microbial fuel cells is further summarized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]