Dual carbon source method to fabricate hierarchical porous carbon with three-dimensional interconnected network structure toward advanced energy storage

Selective fabrication of carbon materials with developed specific surface area and hierarchical porous structure is essential for high-performance carbon-based supercapacitors. Direct carbonization of organic acid salts represents a strategy that can produce porous carbon with high specific surface area, but it is still hindered by low carbon yield, impeding its large-scale application. Herein, a biomass-derived hierarchical porous carbon with large specific surface area is prepared via a facile one-pot calcination method. The optimal SCPC4 sample presents three-dimensional interconnected network structure and plentiful heteroatom content. Hence, it delivers a large specific capacitance of 321 F g(-1) at a current density of 1 A g(-1), and negligible capacitance loss after 10,000 cycles at 10 A g(-1). In addition, the assembled SCPC-4 based symmetric supercapacitor exhibits an energy density of 21.2 Wh kg(-1) at a power density of 900 W kg(-1). This cost-effective binary biomass carbon source route provides a great possibility for the mass production of high-yield porous carbon materials.

Automated summary

This study presents a facile one-pot calcination method for the preparation of biomass-derived hierarchical porous carbon with large specific surface area. The optimal sample SCPC4 exhibits a three-dimensional interconnected network structure and abundant heteroatom content, delivering a high specific capacitance at a low current density and negligible capacitance loss after prolonged cycling. The assembled symmetric supercapacitor based on SCPC-4 shows a high energy density at a moderate power density. This cost-effective biomass carbon source route provides a great possibility for the mass production of high-yield porous carbon materials.