Issue 13, 2020

Ionic liquid-induced tunable N-doped mesoporous carbon spheres for supercapacitors

Abstract

N-Doped mesoporous carbon spheres (N-MCSs) have shown important applications in many fields. Herein, N-MCSs with uniform spherical morphology, adjustable inner structure, and abundant mesoporous are prepared by a feasible co-assembly of an ionic liquid (IL), a silica precursor (tetraethoxysilane (TEOS)) and a carbon precursor (resorcinol/formaldehyde resin (RF)). The IL is used as a template on which TEOS and RF are assembled together through electrostatic interactions to form a spherical shape. Nitrogen in the IL results in N-doping of the carbon framework. Moreover, addition of TEOS can provide rich mesopores and cavity structures for the N-MCSs. The system solvent volume and RF amounts have a direct impact on the structure of the N-MCSs, changing from core–shell to hollow or from core–shell to solid carbon spheres. Different structures in the N-MCSs lead to distinct electrochemical properties as an electrode material. The N-MCSs have a unique core–shell structure, a crumpled surface, appropriate N-doping and a high surface area, which endows them with higher electrochemical properties of 350 F g−1 capacitance at 0.5 A g−1, good rate performance of 77.5% retention in the current density range of 0.5–10 A g−1, and long cycle life with 80.2% of the initial capacity after 10 000 cyclic tests, showing their promising potential to be used as an electrode material in supercapacitors.

Graphical abstract: Ionic liquid-induced tunable N-doped mesoporous carbon spheres for supercapacitors

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Research Article
Submitted
31 Mar 2020
Accepted
31 May 2020
First published
02 Jun 2020

Inorg. Chem. Front., 2020,7, 2548-2555

Ionic liquid-induced tunable N-doped mesoporous carbon spheres for supercapacitors

H. Wu, H. Lv, Y. Zhang, J. Du and A. Chen, Inorg. Chem. Front., 2020, 7, 2548 DOI: 10.1039/D0QI00375A

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