Influence of carbon structure on performance of electrode material for electric double-layer capacitor

An isotropic pitch and an anisotropic pitch with similar softening point were chosen to be precursors for activated carbons (ISO and ANISO, respectively). Chemical activations with same conditions were carried out and the effects of microstructure of precursors on characteristics of activated carbons were discussed. Isotropic pitch with more noncrystallite carbon atoms or edge carbon atoms on the microstructural defects had more reactive ability and more pores were manufactured through sufficient chemical activation. Electric double-layer capacitors (EDLC) were made with the two activated carbons as electrode materials and 1 M Et4NBF4/PC as the electrolyte. The performance of EDLC with the ISO has higher specific capacitance (43.5 F g−1) than the ANISO (21.3 F g−1) and has better power performance and lower resistance than the latter.