Partially graphitic micro- and mesoporous carbon microspheres for supercapacitors

Partially graphitic micro- and mesoporous carbon microspheres (GMMCMs) were synthesized using hydrothermal emulsion polymerization followed by KOH activation and catalytic graphitization. The resulting GMMCMs show micro- and mesopores with a specific surface area of 1113 m2/g, regular spherical shape with diameters of 0.5–1.0 μm and a partially graphitic structure with a low internal resistance of 0.34 Ω. The graphitic carbons as electrode for supercapacitor exhibit a fast ion-transport and rapid charge–discharge feature, and a high-rate electrochemical performance. The typical GMMCM electrode shows a specific capacitance of 220 F/g at 1.0 A/g, and 185 F/g under a high current density of 20.0 A/g in a 6 mol/L KOH electrolyte.

Graphical abstractPartially graphitic micro- and mesoporous carbon microspheres with high specific surface area and low internal resistance were synthesized based on hydrothermal emulsion polymerization, KOH activation and catalytic graphitization. The carbon electrode exhibits fast ion-transport and rapid charge–discharge features, and high-rate electrochemical performance.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide