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Updated: Sep 24, 2025
Synthesis and Functionalization of 3D Nano-graphene Materials: Graphene Aerogels and Graphene Macro Assemblies
Published on: November 5, 2015
Enhanced capacitive performance by improving the graphitized structure in carbon aerogel microspheres.
Xichuan Liu1,2, Lei Yuan1, Minglong Zhong1
1Science and Technology on Plasma Physics Laboratory, Research Centre of Laser Fusion, China Academy of Engineering Physics Mianyang 619000 China wangchy807@caep.cn tangyongjian2000@sina.com +8608162480862 +8608162480867.
Synthesized carbon aerogel microspheres exhibit excellent electrical conductivity and high surface area for electric double layer capacitors (EDLCs). These materials demonstrate remarkable capacitance retention and rate capability after extensive cycling.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Energy Storage
Background:
- Developing advanced electrode materials is crucial for enhancing energy storage device performance.
- Carbon aerogels offer potential due to their tunable properties and high surface area.
- Optimizing synthesis methods is key to achieving desired electrical conductivity and porosity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize carbon aerogel (CA) microspheres with good electrical conductivity and high specific surface area.
- To investigate the effect of carbonization temperature and CO2 activation on CA properties.
- To evaluate the performance of CA microspheres as electrode materials for electric double layer capacitors (EDLCs).
Main Methods:
- Facile and economical synthesis route involving high-temperature carbonization and CO2 activation.
- Controlled carbonization temperatures (up to 1500 °C) to enhance graphitization and electrical conductivity.
- CO2 activation at 950 °C to increase specific surface area for EDLC applications.
Main Results:
- Optimized CA microspheres (carbonized at 1500 °C, activated at 950 °C) exhibited high specific surface area.
- Achieved a specific capacitance of 121 F g⁻¹ at 0.2 A g⁻¹ and 101 F g⁻¹ at 2 A g⁻¹.
- Demonstrated excellent cycle performance with 98% capacitance retention after 10,000 cycles.
Conclusions:
- The developed carbon aerogel microspheres are promising electrode materials for EDLCs.
- The synthesis method provides a scalable route to high-performance energy storage materials.
- The materials exhibit a favorable balance of conductivity, surface area, and stability for practical applications.
