High surface hierarchical carbon nanowalls synthesized by plasma deposition using an aromatic precursor

Hierarchical carbon nanowalls (CNW) are synthesized by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition using p-xylene as a complex precursor. In contrast to ordinary CNW, synthesized with short-chained carbons, hierarchical CNW show a unique multi-scale pore structure, made up of micro- and mesopores connected by tubular macropores, offering higher surface area and surface accessibility. Their morphology, graphitic structure, surface area and accessibility are verified by transmission and scanning electron microscopy, gas sorption and impedance spectroscopy. Focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy tomography demonstrates the presence of macropores ensuring pore connectivity down to the substrate. Nitrogen/krypton physisorption confirms the micro- and mesoporous structure contributing extensively to the surface area. The impedance spectra are evaluated according to standard RC and transmission line models. The sample deposited for 60 min, with a structure height of 4.75 μm, features a volumetric capacitance of 2.6 F cm−3 and a response time of 25 ms. Hierarchical CNW exhibit a two to six times higher volumetric capacitance than CNW of similar proportions, reported in literature. Hierarchical CNW offer a promising way to realize high power and energy density requirements in electrochemical energy systems, like supercapacitors, due to their good conductivity, high surface area and open pore structure.

The aligned sheets guarantee optimal accessibility, as confirmed by image analysis. The microporous surface provides a very high surface area as determined by gas physisorption. The resulting structure presents an ideal combination of accessibility and surface area.296