Synthesis and characterization of lignosulfonate-derived hierarchical porous graphitic carbons for electrochemical performances

We here propose a novel hierarchical porous graphitic carbon (HPGC) monolith to replace conventional activated carbon for achieving excellent electrochemical performance. In this monolith structure made from the cross-linking of lignosulfonate without any templating agent, the nanoscale core is composed of porous amorphous carbon, while the microscale shell is formed by graphitic carbon and generated within mesoporous wall of HPGC. Furthermore, HPGC has good supercapacitor properties and high potential for energy storage applications. With an increasing scan rate from 5 to 100 mV/s, the capacitance retention of HPGC in aqueous electrolyte was from 331 to 202 F/g, prior to that of other porous carbons, indicating a good rate performance. After 1000 cycles, the HPGC supercapacitors maintained 78% of the original capacitance (262 F/g at 20 mV/s), demonstrating its rigid framework.172