Dual hetero atom containing bio-carbon: Multifunctional electrode material for High Performance Sodium-ion Batteries and Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Nitrogen and sulfur containing carbon, derived from human hair (HHC) has been exploited for the first time as a multifunctional electrode material for use in sodium batteries and for oxygen reduction reaction in alkaline medium. Human hair acts as the source of carbon containing nitrogen and sulfur, due to the presence of alpha-keratin, thus eliminating the need for the addition of multiple hazardous chemicals such as organic precursors and the requirement of conventionally adopted energy intensive methods. Such a dual hetero atom containing human hair derived carbon, when examined as an anode material for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) displays a high specific capacity of similar to 210 mAh g(-1) at 50 mA g(-1) and a high rate capability of similar to 50 mAh g(-1) at 1.5 A g(-1), thereby providing newer perspective towards the construction of low-cost SIBs. Further, HHC upon exploration as a metal free electrocatalyst for ORR applications exhibits outstanding electrocatalytic performance in terms of superior stability and resistance towards methanol cross over along with long term stability. Our cost-effective approach against the disposal of human hair opens up newer avenues for the conversion of filthy human hair waste as value added electrode material in energy storage and electrocatalytic applications. (C) 2015 Published by Elsevier Ltd.