High-performance carbon nanotube-implanted mesoporous carbon spheres for supercapacitors with low series resistance

Carbon nanotube-implanted mesoporous carbon spheres were prepared by an easy polymerization-induced colloid aggregation method using gelatin as a soft template. Scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and nitrogen adsorption–desorption measurements reveal that the materials are mesoporous carbon spheres, with a diameter of ∼0.5–1.0 μm, a specific surface area of 284 m2/g and average pore size of 3.9 nm. Using the carbon nanotube-implanted mesoporous carbon spheres as electrode material for supercapacitors in an aqueous electrolyte solution, a low equivalent series resistance of 0.83 Ω cm2 and a maximum specific capacitance of 189 F/g with a measured power density of 8.7 kW/kg at energy density of 6.6 Wh/kg are obtained.

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► CNTs-implanted porous carbon spheres are prepared by using gelatin as soft template.
► Homogeneously distributed CNTs form a well-develop network in carbon spheres.
► CNTs act as a reinforcing backbone assisting the formation of pore structure.
► CNTs improve electrical conductivity and specific capacitance of supercapacitor.