In this study, C.I. Pigment Blue 15:3, an organic phthalocyanine based pigment, was used as a precursor to synthesize activated carbon/copper/copper oxide composite through a carbonization and activation process. The resulting composite was investigated to evaluate the potential use as a hybrid capacitor electrode of supercapacitor and pseudo-capacitor. Precursor was pre-treated at 600 °C, followed by activation at 750 °C using alkaline activating agents (KOH and K2CO3). Neutral ZnCl2 activating agent was also used for activation at 700 °C without pre-treatment to compare the electrochemical performance. The KOH activated sample exhibited the presence of Cu, CuO, and Cu2O in XRD and XPS analysis results and it also showed a highest specific surface area of 2731 m2/ g and well-developed 0.7–2.0 nm micropores, enhancing ion adsorption in K2SO4 electrolyte. Electrochemical tests revealed that PB_KOH exhibited the highest capacitance, outperforming commercial Norit Carbon at various current densities, due to its Cu/CuO/Cu2O/activated carbon composite structure. These findings highlight its strong potential as a high-performance supercapacitor electrode material.

Facile synthesis of activated carboncoppercopper oxide composite electrode material for supercapacitors using C.I. Pigment Blue 15:3
    Abstract
    1 Introduction
    2 Materials and experimental
        2.1 Materials
        2.2 Preparation procedures of the activated carbons
        2.3 Characterization of structural and surface morphology
        2.4 The electrochemical properties
    3 Results and discussion
    4 Conclusion
    Acknowledgement 
    References

• Gunhwan Park(Department of Textile System Engineering, Kyungpook National University, 80, Daehak‑ro, Buk‑gu, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea)
• Woong Kwon(Department of Textile System Engineering, Kyungpook National University, 80, Daehak‑ro, Buk‑gu, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea)
• Jiyeon Cheon(Department of Textile System Engineering, Kyungpook National University, 80, Daehak‑ro, Buk‑gu, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea)
• Daeun Kim(Department of Textile System Engineering, Kyungpook National University, 80, Daehak‑ro, Buk‑gu, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea)
• Gyeongjin Kim(Department of Textile System Engineering, Kyungpook National University, 80, Daehak‑ro, Buk‑gu, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea)
• Euigyung Jeong(Department of Textile System Engineering, Kyungpook National University, 80, Daehak‑ro, Buk‑gu, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea) Corresponding author