The application of activated carbon modified by ozone treatment for energy storage

Activated carbon modified by ozone treatment was examined. The process was carried out in a glass reactor under a continuous flow of ozone through a bed of activated carbon for 15, 30, 60, 120, and 240 min. The modified and unmodified carbon materials were characterized by Raman spectroscopy and observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Thermogravimetric analysis was used to estimate the presence of oxygen groups in the carbon structure. The surface area and pore size distribution were examined by nitrogen adsorption method at 77 K. Moreover, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used to estimate the functional groups of modified activated carbon. The carbon content was estimated using the elemental analysis. The process of ozonation increases oxygen functionalities, thus the activated carbon was tested as electrodes for an electrochemical capacitor. The performance of an electrochemical capacitor was estimated by selected alternating (AC) and direct current (DC) methods in 1 M H2SO4, 1 M Na2SO4, and 6 M KOH electrolytes.