Exploring recent advances in the versatility and efficiency of carbon materials for next generation supercapacitor applications: A comprehensive review

The study systematically evaluates various forms of carbon, including ACs, graphene, CNTs, CA, xerogels, template-derived carbons, heteroatom-doped carbons, and waste-derived carbons, highlighting their critical roles in improving the functionality of supercapacitors. ACs are explored for their high surface areas and porosity, detailing their production methods and impacts on enhancing electrochemical performance. The review further highlights graphene for its outstanding electrical conductivity and mechanical strength, discussing its synthesis techniques and contributions towards boosting the energy and power densities. Additionally, the work categorizes CNTs into SWCNTs and MWCNTs types, analyzing their synthesis methods and their influence on the conductivity and mechanical strength. Carbon aerogels and xerogels are examined for their production processes and key characteristics that translate into superior performance metrics within supercapacitors. Template-derived carbons are investigated through various templating methods, including hard, soft, and self-templating, assessing the resultant structural distinctions and performance improvements. The role of heteroatom doping in enhancing the electrochemical properties of carbons is also thoroughly discussed. Finally, the review concludes with an analysis of waste-derived carbons, utilizing various biomass precursors and conversion methods to highlight the environmental and cost benefits of these materials, alongside their performance in supercapacitor applications. © 2025 Elsevier Ltd.