Preparation of three-dimensional nitrogen-doped graphene layers by gas foaming method and its electrochemical capactive behavior

• A three-dimensional porous graphene layers was prepared via a gas foaming method.
• Melamine was the nitrogen source to synthesize the N-doped 3D graphene layers.
• The specific surface area of 3D N-doped graphene material is as high as 1196 m2 g−1.
• The 3D N-doped graphene specific capacitance is 335 F g−1 in three-electrode system.
• The energy density of 3D N-doped graphene reaches 58.1 Wh kg−1 in a symmetric cell.

A porous graphene layers with a three-dimensional structure (3DG) was prepared via a gas foaming method based on a polymeric predecessor. This intimately interconnected 3DG structure not only significantly increases the specific surface area but also provides more channels to facilitate electron transport. In addition, 3D N-doped (3DNG) layers materials were synthesized using melamine as a nitrogen source. The nitrogen content in the 3DNG layers significantly influenced the electrochemical performance. The sample denoted as 3DNG-2 exhibited a specific capacitance of 335.2 F g−1 at a current density of 1 A g−1 in a three-electrode system. Additionally, 3DNG-2 exhibited excellent electrochemical performance in aqueous and organic electrolytes using a two-electrode symmetric cell. An energy density of 58.1 Wh kg−1 at a power density of 2500 W kg−1 was achieved, which is approximately 3 times that (19.6 Wh kg−1) in an aqueous electrolyte in a two-electrode system. After 1000 cycles, the capacity retention in aqueous electrolyte was more than 99.0%, and this retention in organic electrolytes was more than 89.4%, which demonstrated its excellent cycle stability. This performance makes 3DNG-2 a promising candidate as an electrode material in high-power and high-energy supercapacitor applications.