Biomass derived N/O self-doped porous carbon for advanced supercapacitor electrodes

Abstract

To satisfy the practical needs of the sustainability and industrialization of supercapacitors, it is essential to maintain good electrochemical performance at high mass loading above the commercial levels (10 mg cm−2). Herein, a unique 3D porous carbon with high mass loading is successfully prepared from Linum usitatissimum L. stem via a simple route of high temperature carbonization and subsequent KOH activation. The as-prepared porous carbon displays rich N/O heteroatoms, hierarchical porous, and interconnected vertical channels, which enable fast electron/ion transport and afford additional capacitance. These characteristics give the resultant carbon high capacitances of 434/245 F g−1 at 1/50 A g−1. Importantly, the as-prepared carbon can achieve mass loadings of 20 mg cm−2 and maintain decent electrochemical performance at this mass loadings, owing to short electron/ion transfer pathway as well as sufficient active sites. Specifically, the assembled symmetric supercapacitor delivers superior areal capacitance of 3.7 F cm−1 at 1 A g−1 and remarkably capacitance retention of 2.5 F cm−1 at 5 A g−1 under 20 mg cm−1. This work enlightens a sustainable and facile way for constructure advanced electrode material.