Mesopore-Rich Activated Carbons for Electrical Double-Layer Capacitors by Optimal Activation Condition

• Main Authors: Hye-Min Lee, Kay-Hyeok An, Soo-Jin Park, Byung-Joo Kim
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2019-04-01
• Series: Nanomaterials
• Subjects: hard carbon; steam activation; polymeric precursor; electrical double-layer capacitor
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/9/4/608

In this study, activated polymer-based hard carbon using steam activation (APHS) with mesopore-rich pore structures were prepared for application as electrodes in electrical double-layer capacitors (EDLC). The surface morphologies and structural characteristics of APHS were observed using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis, respectively. The textural properties were described using Brunauer-Emmett-Teller and Barrett-Joyner-Halenda equations with N₂/77 K adsorption isotherms. APHS were prepared under various steam activation conditions to find optimal ones, which were then applied as electrode materials for the EDLC. The observed specific surface areas and total pore volumes of the APHS were in the range 1170–2410 m²/g and 0.48–1.22 cm³/g, respectively. It was observed that pore size distribution mainly depended on the activation time and temperature, and that the volume of pores with size of 1.5–2.5 nm was found to be a key factor determining the electrochemical capacity.