Preparation and characterization of carbon aerogel microspheres by an inverse emulsion polymerization

Carbon aerogel (CA) microspheres have been successfully synthesized by an inverse emulsion polymerization and characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), N2 sorption isotherm and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results show that the size and pore characteristics of carbon microsphere obviously depend on stirring speed and concentration of surfactant in the emulsion polymerization process. The resultant CA microspheres are amorphous carbon structure with the size ranging from about 2 to 50 μm by changing the stirring speed. CA microspheres with SBET of 414–603 m2 g− 1 and Vmeso of 0.028–0.432 cm3 g− 1 are synthesized using different SPAN80 concentrations. The results of cyclic voltammetry indicate that the CA microspheres prepared at a stirring speed of 480 rpm and at Vs/Vh = 0.01 have ideal supercapacitive behavior in 6 M KOH electrolyte, the maximum specific capacitance of the electrode reaches 180 F g− 1.

Research Highlights
► Aerogel microspheres were synthesized by an inverse emulsion polymerization.
► The morphology and property of the material depend on condition of preparation.
► The optimum stirring speed and Vs/Vh ratio were determined to be 480 rpm and 0.01.