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Effects of phosphoric acid activation on the nanopore structures of carbon xerogel/carbon nanotubes hybrids and their capacitance storage

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Abstract

This paper aimed to study the electrochemical capacitance behaviors in relation to the nanopore structures of three carbon materials, which were prepared under different conditions and named as carbon xerogels (CXs), carbon xerogels/carbon nanotubes hybrids (CXs/CNTs) and activated carbon xerogels/carbon nanotubes hybrids (aCXs/CNTs). Field emission scanning electron microscopy showed the growth of CNTs on the CXs surface in the CXs/CNTs hybrids. Nitrogen physisorption measurements at 77 K indicated a decrease in the specific surface area and the total pore volume of micropores and mesopores after decorating the CXs surface with CNTs, however an increase after activation with phosphoric acid at 973 K for 180 min. Because of the combination of CNTs and phosphoric acid activation, electrochemical capacitance increased in the order of CXs < CXs/CNTs < aCXs/CNTs and it delivered maximum capacitance of 151 F g− 1 at 2.5 A g− 1 in 1 M H2SO4.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (21273236) and by Science and Technology Planning Projects of Fujian Province of China (2014H2008, 2015I0008 and 2014H4006). NAF and KPA acknowledge the post-doctorial research programs. YT acknowledges the support of both “100 Talents” program of the CAS and “100 Talents” program of Fujian Province, China.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Physical Chemistry Department, National Research Centre, 33 El Buhouth Street, Dokki, P.O. 12622, Cairo, Egypt

    Nady A. Fathy

  2. CAS Key Laboratory of Design and Assembly of Functional Nanostructures, Haixi Institutes, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Fuzhou, 350002, China

    Nady A. Fathy, K. P. Annamalai & Yousheng Tao

  3. R&D Center of Saline Lake and Epithermal Deposits, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing, 100037, China

    Yousheng Tao

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  1. Nady A. Fathy
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  2. K. P. Annamalai
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  3. Yousheng Tao
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Correspondence to Yousheng Tao.

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Fathy, N.A., Annamalai, K.P. & Tao, Y. Effects of phosphoric acid activation on the nanopore structures of carbon xerogel/carbon nanotubes hybrids and their capacitance storage. Adsorption 23, 355–360 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10450-017-9860-y

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