Bacterial cellulose carbon electrodes show promise for sustainable supercapacitors | Hasanuddin University review

A systematic review from Hasanuddin University examines bacterial cellulose-derived carbon (BCC) as a sustainable electrode material for supercapacitors. The study analyzed 49 journal articles to compare fabrication methods like freeze-drying, chemical activation, and composite formation. Key findings show that preserving the natural nanofiber network through freeze-drying is critical for performance, while activation and doping improve capacitance. The review highlights that most BCC electrodes are still at the lab stage, with challenges in scaling and consistent reporting standards before commercial use. The research points to BCC potentially outperforming commercial activated carbon under comparable conditions, but practical application depends on reproducible manufacturing and real-world durability testing. The authors call for predictive design models and scalable protocols over the next decade. This matters for grid decarbonization and green energy because supercapacitors offer fast charging and long cycle life, complementing batteries in renewable energy systems and electric vehicles.