Activated carbon prepared from polyaniline base by K2CO3 activation for application in supercapacitor electrodes

An activated carbon was prepared from a polyaniline base using K2CO3 as an activating agent. The morphology, surface chemical composition, and surface area of the as-prepared carbon materials were investigated by scanning electron microscope, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller measurement, respectively. Electrochemical properties of the as-prepared sample were studied by cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge/discharge, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements in 6 mol L-1 KOH aqueous solution. Compared with the non-activated carbon, activated carbon showed superior capacitive performance. The activation carbon presented a high specific gravimetric capacitance of 210 F g(-1). The good electrochemical performance of the activated carbon was ascribed to well-developed micropores, high surface area, the presence of nitrogen and oxygen functional groups, and larger pore volume.