Fabrication and characterization of a porous carbon electrode for desalination of brackish water

To increase the surface area of electrodes for electrosorption, porous carbon electrodes were fabricated using a wet phase inversion method. A carbon slurry consisting of a mixture of activated carbon powder (ACP) and polyvinylidene fluoride solution was cast directly on a graphite sheet. The cast film was then immersed in pure water for phase inversion. Scanning electron microscopy images verified that the electrodes were porous and the pore size was less than 100 nm. The electrochemical properties were characterized using cyclic voltammetry. The electrical capacitance ranged from 2.18 to 4.77 F/cm2 depending on the ACP content, and the electrical capacitance increased as the solvent content decreased. The solvent content was an important variable controlling the pore size and capacitance of the electrodes.