High Specific Capacitance Based on N-Doped Microporous Carbon in [EMIm]AlxCly Ionic Liquid Electrolyte

Abstract

Carbon-based electrical double-layer capacitors (EDLCs) store charges through the physisorption of electrolyte ions onto porous carbon electrodes and subsequently can provide high electrical power. The control over morphology and microstructure of carbon-based electrode materials is an effective strategy to provide high surface area and efficient paths for ions diffusion. Here, we report on the fabrication of N-doped microporous carbons through a two-step carbonization method using an Al-based porous coordination polymer (Al-PCP) as template. The unique 3D pore structure of N-doped microporous carbon (PCP-1600) gives rise to a high BET surface area (up to 1892.38 m2 g−1) and a corresponding pore volume of 1.26 cc g−1. The carbon-based electrodes exhibit specific capacitance of ∼280 F g−1 and good cycling stability in ionic liquid electrolyte. These performance can be assigned to the unique pore structure of N-doped microporous carbons and make them potentially promising electrodes for energy storage devices.