Nanostructure, porosity and electrochemical performance of chromium carbide derived carbons

This paper presents the results from the investigation of the influence of the chlorination temperature, the carbide crystal structure, the Cr/C ratio and physicochemical properties of CrCl3 on the morphology, nanostructure, textural properties and electrochemical performance of CDCs. Electron microscopy and its analytical associated techniques reveal that these carbons, mainly composed by disordered graphene layers, evolve into graphitic nanostructures as a result of increasing the Cr/C content, the reaction temperature and the template effect of the etched CrCl3 halide. Their textural analysis indicates the formation of micro/mesoporous carbons with a pore width below 1.5 nm, surface area as high as 835 m2/g and exhibit capacitive behavior in aqueous electrolyte.