Supercapacitive performance of hierarchical porous carbon microspheres prepared by simple one-pot method

• Published in: Journal of power sources 2014-05, Vol.254, p.10-17
• Main Authors: Zhao, Qinglan, Wang, Xianyou, Wu, Chun, Liu, Jing, Wang, Hao, Gao, Jiao, Zhang, Youwei, Shu, Hongbo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Capacitance; Capacitors; Capacitors. Resistors. Filters; Carbon; Current density; Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering; Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy; Exact sciences and technology; Furfuryl alcohol; Hierarchical porous carbon microsphere; Scanning electron microscopy; Simple one-pot method; Supercapacitor; Supercapacitors; Various equipment and components
• ISSN: 0378-7753; 1873-2755
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2013.12.091

The hierarchical porous carbon microspheres (HPCMSs) using furfuryl alcohol as carbon resource have been prepared by a simple one-pot method. The HPCMSs are characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherm at 77 K, cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge/discharge tests, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cycle life measurements in 6 M KOH. The results show that all the HPCMSs samples, which can be fabricated by adjusting the ratio of furfuryl alcohol/tetraethyl orthosilicate, possess three-dimensionally tailored pore structures with unique micro-, meso- and macroporous systems. Particularly, the HPCMS-2 prepared at the mole ratio of 2/1 (furfuryl alcohol/tetraethyl orthosilicate) shows the largest specific surface area of 709 m2 g−1, and the HPCMS-2 electrode owns specific capacitance as high as 221 F g−1 at the current density of 1 A g−1. The supercapacitor using HPCMS-2 as the active material shows high specific capacitance and excellent cycle stability, which exhibits a specific capacitance of 56 F g−1 at the charge/discharge current density of 0.5 A g−1. Furthermore, the HPCMS-2 supercapacitor delivers high energy densities of 6.1 Wh kg−1 at the power density of 5000 W kg−1, revealing a promising application in supercapacitors. •Hierarchical porous carbon microspheres are synthesized under mild condition by one-pot method.•Pore structures of HPCMSs can be tailored by adjusting the reactant parameters.•HPCMSs possess a pore combination of micro-, meso- and macropores with part graphitic layers.•The energy density of HPCMS supercapacitor is still as high as 6.1 Wh kg−1 even at 5000 W kg−1.