Fabrication of 3D lawn-shaped N-doped porous carbon matrix/polyaniline nanocomposite as the electrode material for supercapacitors

• Published in: Journal of power sources Vol. 340; pp. 22 - 31
• Main Authors: Zhang, Xiuling, Ma, Li, Gan, Mengyu, Fu, Gang, Jin, Meng, Lei, Yao, Yang, Peishu, Yan, Maofa
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.02.2017
• Subjects: Carbon materials; Lawn-shaped; Polyaniline; Supercapacitors; Supercapacitors; Lawn-shaped; Polyaniline; Carbon materials
• ISSN: 0378-7753; 1873-2755
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2016.11.058

A facile approach to acquire electrode materials with prominent electrochemical property is pivotal to the progress of supercapacitors. 3D nitrogen-doped porous carbon matrix (PCM), with high specific surface area (SSA) up to 2720 m2 g−1, was obtained from the carbonization and activation of the nitrogen-enriched composite precursor (graphene/polyaniline). Then 3D lawn-shaped PCM/PANI composite was obtained by the simple in-situ polymerization. The morphology and structure of these resulting composites were characterized by combining SEM and TEM measurements, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectroscopy analyses and Raman spectroscope. The element content of all samples was evaluated using CHN analysis. The results of electrochemical testing indicated that the PCM/PANI composite displays a higher capacitance value of 527 F g−1 at 1 A g−1 compared to 338 F g−1 for pure PANI, and exhibits appreciable rate capability with a retention of 76% at 20 A g−1 as well as fine long-term cycling performance (with 88% retention of specific capacitance after 1000 cycles at 10 A g−1). Simultaneously, the excellent capacitance performance coupled with the facile synthesis of PCM/PANI indicates it is a promising electrode material for supercapacitors. [Display omitted] •The 3D lawn-shaped N-doped porous carbon matrix/polyaniline nanocomposite is fabricated.•Unique structure of carbon materials provides large deposition surface for polyaniline.•The composite with 3D lawn-like structure reveals excellent electrochemical properties.