Hierarchical porous carbon derived from one-step self-activation of zinc gluconate for symmetric supercapacitors with high energy density

doi:10.1007/s11705-022-2250-3

Front. Chem. Sci. Eng.

2023, Vol. 17

Issue (4) : 387-394 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11705-022-2250-3

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Hierarchical porous carbon derived from one-step self-activation of zinc gluconate for symmetric supercapacitors with high energy density

Junlei Xiao¹, Hua Zhang²(

), Yifan Wang¹, Chunmei Zhang³(

), Shuijian He¹, Shaohua Jiang¹(

)

¹. Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources, International Innovation Center for Forest Chemicals and Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
². College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang 330022, China
³. Institute of Materials Science and Devices, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou 215009, China

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Abstract

Porous carbons with high specific area surfaces are promising electrode materials for supercapacitors. However, their production usually involves complex, time-consuming, and corrosive processes. Hence, a straightforward and effective strategy is presented for producing highly porous carbons via a self-activation procedure utilizing zinc gluconate as the precursor. The volatile nature of zinc at high temperatures gives the carbons a large specific surface area and an abundance of mesopores, which avoids the use of additional activators and templates. Consequently, the obtained porous carbon electrode delivers a satisfactory specific capacitance and outstanding cycling durability of 90.9% after 50000 cycles at 10 A∙g^–1. The symmetric supercapacitors assembled by the optimal electrodes exhibit an acceptable rate capability and a distinguished cycling stability in both aqueous and ionic liquid electrolytes. Accordingly, capacitance retention rates of 77.8% and 85.7% are achieved after 50000 cycles in aqueous alkaline electrolyte and 10000 cycles in ionic liquid electrolyte. Moreover, the symmetric supercapacitors deliver high energy/power densities of 49.8 W∙h∙kg^–1/2477.8 W∙kg^–1 in the Et₄NBF₄ electrolyte, outperforming the majority of previously reported porous carbon-based symmetric supercapacitors in ionic liquid electrolytes.

Keywords self-activation zinc organic salts abundant mesopores symmetric supercapacitor liquid electrolyte

Corresponding Author(s): Hua Zhang,Chunmei Zhang,Shaohua Jiang

Online First Date: 17 January 2023 Issue Date: 24 March 2023

Cite this article:

Junlei Xiao,Hua Zhang,Yifan Wang, et al. Hierarchical porous carbon derived from one-step self-activation of zinc gluconate for symmetric supercapacitors with high energy density[J]. Front. Chem. Sci. Eng., 2023, 17(4): 387-394.

URL:

https://academic.hep.com.cn/fcse/EN/10.1007/s11705-022-2250-3
https://academic.hep.com.cn/fcse/EN/Y2023/V17/I4/387

Fig.1 Synthesis and characterization of the ZnPCs: (a) Schematic illustration of the preparation of porous carbons (ZnPCs) using zinc gluconate as the precursor; (b) TGA curve of zinc gluconate; (c–f) TEM images of the ZnPCs.

Tab.1 Pore structure parameters of the ZnPC samples

Fig.2 Physical properties of the ZnPCs samples: (a) XRD patterns, (b) Raman spectra, (c) N₂ adsorption?desorption isotherms, and (d) pore sizes distribution of ZnPC-750, ZnPC-850, ZnPC-950, and ZnPC-1050, respectively.

Fig.3 Electrochemical performance of as-prepared ZnPCs in a 6 mol?L^–1 KOH solution: (a) CV curves at 100 mV?s^–1, (b) specific capacitance of ZnPCs at various current densities, (c) Nyquist plots of the ZnPCs (The inset in (c) is the corresponding enlarged picture and the equivalent circuit diagram), (d) CV curves of the ZnPC-950 electrode at various scan rates, (e) GCD curves of the ZnPC-950 at multiple current densities, and (f) cycling stability of the ZnPC-950 electrode at 10 A?g^–1.

Fig.4 Electrochemical performance of the symmetric supercapacitor based on ZnPC-950 electrodes: (a) CV curves and (b) GCD curves of the symmetric supercapacitor in a 6 mol?L^–1 KOH electrolyte; (c) cycling stability of the symmetric supercapacitor in a 6 mol?L^–1 KOH electrolyte at a current density of 10 A?g^–1; (d) CV curves and (e) cycling stability of the symmetric supercapacitor in an Et₄NBF₄ electrolyte; (f) Ragone plots of the symmetric supercapacitor in a 6 mol?L^–1 KOH and Et₄NBF₄ electrolytes.

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