Electrochemical behavior of pitch-based activated carbon fibers for electrochemical capacitors. (1st October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lee, Hye-Min; Kwac, Lee-Ku; An, Kay-Hyeok; Park, Soo-Jin; Kim, Byung-Joo
• Is Part Of: Energy conversion and management. Volume 125(2016)
• Page Start: 347
• Page End: 352
• Publication Date: 2016-10-01
• Subjects: Steam activation -- Pitch -- Activated carbon fiber -- Electric double layer capacitors -- Porous materials -- Supercapacitor; Direct energy conversion -- Periodicals; Energy storage -- Periodicals; Energy transfer -- Periodicals; Énergie -- Conversion directe -- Périodiques; Direct energy conversion; Periodicals; 621.3105
• DOI: 10.1016/j.enconman.2016.06.006
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0196-8904

Abstract

Highlights: Electrode materials for electrochemical capacitors were developed using pitch-based activated carbon fibers with steam activation. Activated carbon fibers showed enhanced specific surface area from 1520 to 3230 m 2 /g. The increase in the specific capacitance of the samples was determined by charged pore structure during charging and discharging. Abstract: In the present study, electrode materials for electrochemical capacitors were developed using pitch-based activated carbon fibers with steam activation. The surface and structural characteristics of activated carbon fibers were observed using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction, respectively. Pore characteristics were investigated using N2 /77 K adsorption isotherms. The activated carbon fibers were applied as electrodes for electrical double-layer capacitors and analyzed in relation to the activation time. The specific surface area and total pore volume of the activated carbon fibers were determined to be 1520–3230 m 2 /g and 0.61–1.87 cm 3 /g, respectively. In addition, when the electrochemical characteristics were analyzed, the specific capacitance was confirmed to have increased from 1.1 F/g to 22.5 F/g. From these results, it is clear that the pore characteristics of pitch-based activated carbon fibers changed considerably in relation to steam activation and charge/discharge cycle; therefore, it was possible to improve the electrochemical characteristics of the activated carbon fibers.