Preparation of monodisperse carbon nanospheres for electrochemical capacitors

The efficiently hydrothermal route using sucrose without any catalysts is employed to prepare the uniform carbon spheres. The monodisperse 100-150 nm carbon spheres are obtained with the activation treatment in molten KOH. The carbon spheres are characterized by transmission electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, N-2 adsorption, Raman spectroscopy and electrochemical techniques. The relationships of specific capacitance and surface properties of carbon spheres are investigated. A single electrode of carbon nanosphere materials performs excellent specific capacitance (328 F g(-1)), area capacitance (19.2 mu F cm(-2)) and volumetric capacitance (383 F cm(-3)). (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.