Hydrothermal nitrogen doping of anthracene oil-derived activated carbons for wide voltage asymmetric capacitors. (April 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Moyseowicz, Agata; González, Zoraida; Melendi-Espina, Sonia; Acevedo, Beatriz; Predeanu, Georgeta; Axinte, Sorin M.; Fernández, Juan J.; Granda, Marcos; Minta, Daria; Moyseowicz, Adam; Gryglewicz, Grażyna
• Is Part Of: Journal of energy storage. Volume 60(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-04
• Subjects: Anthracene oil-derived activated carbon -- Aqueous electrolyte -- Asymmetric supercapacitor; Energy storage -- Periodicals; Energy storage -- Research -- Periodicals; 621.3126
• DOI: 10.1016/j.est.2023.106704
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2352-152X

Abstract

Abstract: This work focused on the development of doping procedures to introduce nitrogen functionalities on an activated carbon derived from anthracene oil to be subsequently used on wide voltage asymmetric capacitors. For that, ammonia solution was used and different hydrothermal conditions applied. Tailoring the temperature treatment (120 and 180 °C), nitrogen-doped activated carbons (N-ACs) with different nitrogen content (5.6 and 4.1 at. %) and diverse speciation were obtained. N-ACs exhibited excellent capacitive behavior and long-life cycle in a three-electrode cell using KOH aqueous solution as electrolyte. The significant capacitance value of 291 F g −1 at 0.2 A g −1 was achieved by the N-AC obtained at 180 °C. Furthermore, full carbon asymmetric supercapacitors incorporating N-ACs as negative electrodes were assembled, and an operating voltage window of 1.3 V in 6 M KOH solution established. As a result, high energy densities were achieved in the devices, particularly in that including N-AC-180. Electrochemical tests revealed that pyridinic and quaternary nitrogen species of N-ACs play a critical role in the excellent asymmetric supercapacitor electrochemical performance, including improvement of conductivity and specific capacitance. Graphical abstract: Unlabelled Image Highlights: Nitrogen-doped ACs successfully synthesized by means of hydrothermal treatment with ammonia. Enhanced capacitance (267 F g −1 at 20 A g −1 ) was recorded for N-doped AC treated at 180 °C. A high operating voltage of 1.3 V was achieved in 6 M KOH electrolyte. Asymmetric device including N-AC-180 delivered 7.9 Wh kg −1 at a high-power density of 10 kW kg −1 .