A novel synthesis of mesoporous carbon microspheres for supercapacitor electrodes

Mesoporous carbon microspheres (MCMs) with the diameters of 0.5–2.0 μm, main mesopore sizes of 2.6–4.0 nm and specific surface areas of 449–1212 m2 g−1 are synthesized by a novel hydrothermal emulsion-activated method. The typical MCMs as electrode materials have a specific capacitance of 157 F g−1 at a high current density of 10.0 A g−1 in 6 M KOH aqueous solution. The resultant MCMs electrode materials with high current charge and discharge capability in 6 M KOH aqueous solution provide important prospect for electrode materials in supercapacitors which could offer high power density for electric vehicles.

Graphical abstractMesoporous carbon microspheres (MCMs) with the diameters of 0.5–2.0 μm and mean mesopore sizes of 2.6–4.0 nm were synthesized by a novel hydrothermal emulsion-activated method. The typical MCMs electrode materials have a specific capacitance of 157 F g−1 in 6 M KOH aqueous solution at a high current density of 10.0 A g−1.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Mesoporous carbon microspheres (MCMs) were synthesized by a novel hydrothermal emulsion-activated method. ► The typical MCMs electrode have a specific capacitance of 157 F g−1 in 6 M KOH aqueous solution at a high current density of 10.0 A g−1. ► The resultant MCMs electrode materials with high current charge and discharge capability provide important prospect for electrode materials in supercapacitors.