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

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  • Su-Jin Jang

    (Energy and Environmental Division, Korea Institute of Ceramic Engineering and Technology, Jin-ju 52851, Korea
    Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea University, Anam-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 136-713, Korea)

  • Jeong Han Lee

    (Energy and Environmental Division, Korea Institute of Ceramic Engineering and Technology, Jin-ju 52851, Korea
    Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea University, Anam-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 136-713, Korea)

  • Seo Hui Kang

    (Energy and Environmental Division, Korea Institute of Ceramic Engineering and Technology, Jin-ju 52851, Korea
    Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea University, Anam-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 136-713, 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)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Su-Jin Jang & Jeong Han Lee & Seo Hui Kang & Yun Chan Kang & Kwang Chul Roh, 2021. "Nitrogen-Doped and Carbon-Coated Activated Carbon as a Conductivity Additive-Free Electrode for Supercapacitors," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-10, November.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:22:p:7629-:d:679587
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kuan-Ching Lee & Mitchell Shyan Wei Lim & Zhong-Yun Hong & Siewhui Chong & Timm Joyce Tiong & Guan-Ting Pan & Chao-Ming Huang, 2021. "Coconut Shell-Derived Activated Carbon for High-Performance Solid-State Supercapacitors," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-11, July.
    2. Gustavo Navarro & Jorge Torres & Marcos Blanco & Jorge Nájera & Miguel Santos-Herran & Marcos Lafoz, 2021. "Present and Future of Supercapacitor Technology Applied to Powertrains, Renewable Generation and Grid Connection Applications," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-29, May.
    3. Mojtaba Mirzaeian & Qaisar Abbas & Michael. R. C. Hunt & Peter Hall, 2020. "Pseudocapacitive Effect of Carbons Doped with Different Functional Groups as Electrode Materials for Electrochemical Capacitors," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-21, October.
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