CARBON XEROGELS WITH SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE IN SUPERCAPACITOR ELECTRODES

Carbon xerogels of different porosity were synthesized in this work. Several post-treatments (carbonization and chemical activation processes) were studied and it was observed that the treatment applied determines the porous texture of resulting carbon xerogel. It was possible to produce from highly microporous carbon xerogels with a significant amount of narrow mesopores (sample AOX) to micromesoporous xerogels that preserve the original mesoporosity of precursor material (ACX xerogel). Once the textural properties of synthesized carbon xerogels were evaluated, the most suitable carbon xerogel for use as electrode in supercapacitors was selected. In order to performance an in-depth electrochemical study, several electrolytes of different nature were chosen (aqueous solutions and ionic liquids). Carbon xerogel AOX was compared to commercial activated carbons and, in all the evaluated media, AOX showed a better electrochemical performance, revealing the importance of small-sized mesopores in energy storage processes.