N-Doped Carbon Aerogels Obtained from APMP Fiber Aerogels Saturated with Rhodamine Dye and Their Application as Supercapacitor Electrodes

Lei E,Jiaming Sun,Shouxin Liu,Wei Li,Zhenwei Wu

doi:10.3390/app9040618

Lei E, Jiaming Sun + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/app9040618

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Journal: Applied sciences	Publication Date: Feb 13, 2019
Citations: 14	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Northeast Forestry University

Abstract

We developed an efficient and environmentally friendly strategy for synthesizing an N-doped carbon aerogel by the carbonization of an alkaline peroxide mechanical pulp (APMP) fiber aerogel saturated with rhodamine B (RB) dyes. The APMP aerogel was prepared via cellulose extraction, sol-gel, and freeze drying. The resulting aerogel had a high adsorption capacity (250 mg g−1) and a fast adsorption rate (within 30 s) towards RB dyes. The saturated aerogel was used as a starting material for further carbonization to prepare N-doped carbon aerogels. SEM studies showed that the 3D network structure of the APMP aerogels was well preserved after RB adsorption and carbonization. The prepared carbon aerogel exhibited a graphitized structure, and N (2.15%) was doped at pyridinic N and pyrrolic N sites in the 3D carbon network. The specific capacitance of the N-doped carbon aerogel reached 185 F g−1 at a current density of 1 A g−1, which is higher than carbon aerogels (155 F g−1).

Highlights

Owing to the global energy crisis, the demand for higher energy and power storage equipment is increasing [1,2,3]
The rhodamine B (RB) dye containing water was absorbed within a few seconds when in contact with a piece of aerogel at ambient temperature
0.1 g of the alkaline peroxide mechanical pulp (APMP) fiber aerogels could absorb 5 mL of high concentration RB waste (5 g L−1 ), which reflects the excellent absorption of RB waste (250 mg g−1 )

Summary

Introduction

Owing to the global energy crisis, the demand for higher energy and power storage equipment is increasing [1,2,3]. Supercapacitors, an electrochemical capacitor, have a long cycle life, high-power density, high charge/discharge rate and good safety [4]. These devices show great potential for efficient energy storage [5] and for use in electric vehicles, batteries, and wind power. According to the charge storage mechanism of the electrode, supercapacitors can be classified as either electric double-layer capacitors (EDLCs) or pseudocapacitors. EDLCs exhibit a non-faradic reaction as charges accumulate at the electrolyte interface and electrode, whereas pseudocapacitors show faradic redox reactions [6,7]. The electrode is one of the most important parts of a supercapacitor, and it is important for an ideal electrode material to have a suitable porous structure and an ion-contactable specific surface area [8]

Methods

Results

Conclusion