A Reactive Template Synthesis of Hierarchical Porous Carbon and Its Application to Supercapacitor Electrodes

Abstract

Hierarchical porous carbons (HPCs) are highly in demand as electrode materials for efficient supercapacitors. Herein, a modified template carbonization approach in conjunction with chemical activation is described for synthesis of HPCs by direct one‐pot pyrolysis of a mixture of glucose (G), reactive template precursor (Zn2(OH)2CO3)(BZC), and K2CO3 (PC) in which in situ ZnO produced from decomposition of Zn2(OH)2CO3 acts as template and K2CO3 as activator, followed by simple acid‐leaching. The resultant undoped carbon [HPC(G‐BZC‐PC)] is endowed with coral reef‐like morphology, 3D porous networks, numerous micro/mesopores, ultrahigh surface area, and goodelectrical conductivity. The specific capacitance delivered by a two‐electrode symmetric supercapacitor with the HPC(G‐BZC‐PC) achieves 241.2 F g−1 at 1 A g−1, which is superior to that of the two control samples prepared without addition of BZC and PC, respectively. Furthermore, the rate capability reaches as high as to 90.5% and 74.6% with current density from 1 to 10 A g−1 and 50 A g−1, respectively, and an excellent cycling stability is observed with more than 98% of retention after 10 000 cycles at 5 A g−1 in 6 m KOH. It is concluded that a cooperative effect deriving from the above‐mentioned unique features contributes to the enhanced supercapacitor performance.

Salt-assisted synthesis of advanced carbon-based materials for energy-related applications

“…In addition, the cycling stability was also satisfactory, with over 98% retention after 10 000 cycles at 5 A g −1 . 161…”

Influence of KHCO3 Activation on Characteristics of Biomass-Derived Carbons for Supercapacitor

“…Chemical activation is one of the common methods to prepare 3D hierarchical porous carbon materials [9][10][11]. Compared to obtaining microporous structures through KOH activation, the decomposition of KHCO 3 during the activation process leaves abundant macropores in carbon materials, which facilitate the formation of hierarchically porous structures that are rich in macropores, mesopores, and micropores, resulting in an improvement in the electrochemical properties of supercapacitors.…”

Hybrid Carbon Nanofibers Derived from MXene Nanosheets and Aromatic Poly(ether amide) for Self‐Standing Electrochemical Energy Storage Materials

“…[11,12] Carbon-based materials, such as activated carbons (ACs), carbon black (CB), carbon nanotubes (CNTs), graphene, and carbon nanofibers (CNFs), have been extensively investigated as energy storage electrode materials due to their high electrical conductivity, specific surface area, chemical resistance, and thermal stability. [13][14][15] Among them, CNFs have many advantages due to their simple fabrication method and facile application as self-standing electrodes for energy storage devices without additional polymeric binders and/or metallic current collectors. In general, CNFs with one-dimensional morphology and tunable size can be fabricated into two-dimensional porous webs in large quantities through simple and versatile electrospinning and carbonization process of polymeric precursors including polyacrylonitrile (PAN), [16][17][18] polyimide, [19][20][21] poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), aromatic polyamide, [22] etc.…”