Preparation and Electrosorption Desalination Performance of Peanut Shell-Based Activated Carbon and MoS2

Seawater desalination is an unavoidable path to solve the freshwater crisis. Compared with other methods, hybrid capacitive deionization (HCDI) is considered promising, showing competence in efficiency and cost. In this study, activated carbon based on peanut shells and molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) was prepared using a hydrothermal method, and the as-prepared products were subjected to heat treatment for more effective charge transfer. The synthesized materials were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS), along with Raman spectra analysis and electrochemical workstation and BET analyses. The electrodes demonstrated outstanding HCDI performance, with an electrosorption capacity of 8.98 mg/g. The above result was attributed to the large pore width of the peanut shell-based activated carbon and the decreased resistance of the MoS2. Moreover, the possibility of using solar power as a power source for HCDI is proven during tests, promoting the application of the study for portable seawater desalination in arid coastal and island regions worldwide.