UZnCl2-DES assisted synthesis of phenolic resin-based carbon aerogels for capacitors

Abstract

Herein we have reported the preparation of carbon materials for capacitors from phenolic resin in the presence of deep eutectic solvent (DES). Resole was used as carbon precursor and DES synthesized from ZnCl2 and urea in a molar ration of 3:10 served as pore former and mixed with the resole for the preparation of organic gels, which were then converted to carbon aerogels via carbonization. The physicochemical properties as well as the electrochemical properties of the obtained carbon products were investigated by X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Nitrogen absorption/desorption test, cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge-discharge and electrochemical impedance spectra. The results show that the formation of DES, rather than the solid mixture of ZnCl2 and urea, is more effective for the fast and low temperature preparation of phenolic resin-based carbon aerogels with higher specific surface area and enhanced electrochemical performance. After further activation, the carbon aerogel possesses a highest surface area of 1238.81 m2 g−1 and a highest specific capacitance of 179.6 F g−1 at the current density of 1 A g−1.