Influence of nitrogen hetero-substitution on the electrochemical performance of coal-based activated carbons measured in non-aqueous electrolyte

Nitrogen-containing carbons were prepared by modification of activated carbons. The modified carbons were used as electrode materials with improved electrochemical performance. Precursor anthracite was activated by KOH (KOH: anthracite= 1:1), modified by melamine or urea and then treated at 1173 K to obtain the modified carbons. The porous structure, the chemical composition and the electrochemical characteristics of the carbons were investigated by nitrogen sorption, XPS and electrochemical methods respectively. Electrochemical experiments were performed in an organic electrolytic solution of 1 M (C2H5)4NBF4/PC. The samples modified by the different methods showed differences in chemical composition that introduced varying degrees of electrochemical performance enhancement. The presence of nitrogen enhanced the electron donor properties and the surface wettability of the activated carbons: this ensured a sufficient utilization of the exposed surface for charge storage.