Free-standing cross-linked activated carbon nanofibers with nitrogen functionality for high-performance...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Developing advanced electrode materials is crucial for high-performance energy storage devices.
• Carbon nanofibers offer unique structural and electrochemical advantages.
• Heteroatom doping and controlled porosity enhance energy storage capabilities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize flexible, heteroatom-rich activated carbon nanofibers with cross-linked architectures.
• To investigate the effect of synthesis parameters on material properties and electrochemical performance.
• To evaluate the potential of these nanofibers as electrode materials for supercapacitors.

Main Methods:

• Electrospinning of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) /dicyandiamide (DICY) composite nanofibers.
• Carbonation and CO2 activation processes.
• Characterization of hierarchical pore structures, heteroatom doping, and fiber-fiber interconnections.

Main Results:

• Successfully synthesized activated N-doped cross-linked carbon nanofibers (ANCLCNFs) with hierarchical pores.
• Achieved high specific capacitance (323 F g⁻¹ at 0.5 A g⁻¹) and excellent rate capability (230.1 F g⁻¹ at 20 A g⁻¹).
• Demonstrated long-term stability (over 95% retention after 10,000 cycles) and a maximum energy density of 14.3 Wh kg⁻¹.

Conclusions:

• The facile synthesis method yields advanced carbon nanofibers with tunable properties.
• The unique cross-linked architecture and heteroatom doping significantly enhance electrochemical performance.
• These ANCLCNFs are promising electrode materials for high-performance supercapacitors.