Issue 41, 2015

High-performance supercapacitors based on novel carbons derived from Sterculia lychnophora

Abstract

In this paper, two nanoporous carbons were prepared from Sterculia lychnophora (SL) by simple hydrothermal conditions followed by a KOH activation step with and without a carbonization process. Structural characterization indicates that the carbon sample without the carbonization process (AC-1) exhibits a cross linked and hole-like structure, a BET surface area of 2589 m2 g−1, pore volume of 1.21 cm3 g−1 and BJH average pore width of 2.78 nm. The carbon sample with the carbonization process (AC-2) shows dozens of nanometer microspheres, a BET surface area of 2660 m2 g−1, pore volume of 1.258 cm3 g−1 and BJH average pore width of 3.321 nm. The electrochemical capacitance behaviors of these carbon materials were investigated in KOH and NaNO3 aqueous solutions in three and two-electrode cells, respectively. By using the NaNO3 electrolyte, the efficient capacitor can work in a wider voltage window of 1.7 V without any significant capacitance fading over 3000 cycles; the highest specific capacitance of 47.8 F g−1 and energy density of 18.5 W h kg−1 are demonstrated. The desirable porous structure and electrochemical characteristics may enable SL biomass based carbon to be excellent electrode materials for high performance electrical energy storage devices.

Graphical abstract: High-performance supercapacitors based on novel carbons derived from Sterculia lychnophora

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
03 Feb 2015
Accepted
30 Mar 2015
First published
30 Mar 2015

RSC Adv., 2015,5, 32159-32167

Author version available

High-performance supercapacitors based on novel carbons derived from Sterculia lychnophora

X. Zhang, C. Peng, R. Wang and J. Lang, RSC Adv., 2015, 5, 32159 DOI: 10.1039/C5RA02085A

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