Nitrogen-Doped and Carbon-Coated Activated Carbon as a Conductivity Additive-Free Electrode for Supercapacitors

Su-Jin Jang, Jeong Han Lee, Seo Hui Kang, Yun Chan Kang and Kwang Chul Roh
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Su-Jin Jang: Energy and Environmental Division, Korea Institute of Ceramic Engineering and Technology, Jin-ju 52851, Korea
Jeong Han Lee: Energy and Environmental Division, Korea Institute of Ceramic Engineering and Technology, Jin-ju 52851, Korea
Seo Hui Kang: Energy and Environmental Division, Korea Institute of Ceramic Engineering and Technology, Jin-ju 52851, Korea
Yun Chan Kang: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea University, Anam-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 136-713, Korea
Kwang Chul Roh: Energy and Environmental Division, Korea Institute of Ceramic Engineering and Technology, Jin-ju 52851, Korea

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 22, 1-10

Abstract: The development of supercapacitors with high volumetric capacitance and high-rate performance has been an important research topic. Activated carbon (AC), which is a widely used material for supercapacitor electrodes, has different surface structures, porosities, and electrochemical properties. However, the low conductivity of the electrode material is a major problem for the efficient use of AC in supercapacitors. To tackle this challenge, we prepared conductive, additive-free electrodes for supercapacitors by a simple one-pot treatment of AC with melamine (nitrogen source), pitch, and sucrose (both carbon source). Nitrogen-doped and carbon-coated AC was successfully generated after high-temperature heat treatment. The AC was doped with approximately 0.5 at.% nitrogen, and coated with carbon leading to a decreased oxygen content. Thin carbon layers (~10 nm) were coated onto the outer surface of the AC, as shown in TEM images. The modification of the AC surface with a sucrose source is favorable, as it increases the electrical conductivity of AC up to 3.0 S cm −1 , which is 4.3 times higher than in unmodified AC. The electrochemical performance of the modified AC was evaluated by conducting agent-free electrode. Although the obtained samples had slightly reduced surface areas after the surface modification, they maintained a high specific surface area of 1700 m 2 g −1 . The supercapacitor delivered a specific capacitance of 70.4 F cc −1 at 1 mA cm −1 and achieved 89.8% capacitance retention even at a high current density of 50 mA cm −2 . Furthermore, the supercapacitor delivered a high energy density of 24.5 Wh kg −1 at a power density of 4650 W kg −1 . This approach can be extended for a new strategy for conductivity additive-free electrodes in, e.g., supercapacitors, batteries, and fuel cells.

Keywords: activated carbon; supercapacitors; conductive additive-free; nitrogen-doped; carbon coating (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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