Potato starch-based activated carbon spheres as electrode material for electrochemical capacitor

• Published in: The Journal of physics and chemistry of solids Vol. 70; no. 9; pp. 1256 - 1260
• Main Authors: Zhao, Shuo, Wang, Cheng-Yang, Chen, Ming-Ming, Wang, Jin, Shi, Zhi-Qiang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.09.2009; Elsevier
• Subjects: A. Microporous materials; Chemistry; D. Electrochemical properties; D. Microstructure; Electrochemistry; Electrodes: preparations and properties; Exact sciences and technology; General and physical chemistry; D. Microstructure; A. Microporous materials; D. Electrochemical properties; Scanning electron microscopy; Adsorption isotherm; Electrolytic capacitor; Electrode material; Porous material; Texture; Cyclic voltammetry; Electrochemical properties; Activated carbon; Plant origin; Capacitance; Microstructure
• ISSN: 0022-3697; 1879-2553
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpcs.2009.07.004

Potato starch-based activated carbon spheres (PACS) were prepared from potato starch by stabilization, carbonization followed by activation with KOH. The obtained PACS are hollow and retain the original morphology of potato starch with decrease in size, as shown by scanning electron microscopy. Modification of textural properties of the PACS was achieved by varying the carbonization temperature and the ratio of KOH/PCS. The results of N 2 adsorption isotherms indicate that the samples prepared are mainly microporous. The electrochemical behaviors of the hollow PACS were studied by galvanostatic charge–discharge, cyclic voltammetry, and impedance spectroscopy. The results indicate that high specific capacitance of 335 F/g is obtained at current density 50 mA/g for PACS with specific surface area 2342 m 2/g. Only a slight decrease in capacitance, to 314 F/g, was observed when the current density increases to 1000 mA/g, indicating a stable electrochemical property.