Resin-derived activated carbons with in-situ nitrogen doping and high specific surface area for high-performance supercapacitors

Nitrogen-doped porous carbons (NPCs) for high-performance supercapacitors have been fabricated from urea formaldehyde microspheres via a one-step carbonization and KOH activation process. The NPCs possess a nitrogen content of 2.08 at.% and an ultra-high specific surface area of 3318 m2 g−1 with abundant micropores. When used as electrode materials for supercapacitors, the NPCs exhibit excellent electrochemical performance with a high specific capacitance of 343 F g−1 at 0.5 A g−1 in 1 M H2SO4 aqueous electrolyte and a good rate capability of 234 F g−1 (68% capacitance retention) at 30 A g−1. Furthermore, the NPCs electrode demonstrates a robust long-term stability without capacitance fading after 5000 cycles.