Cellulose Based Activated Carbon for Electrochemical Double Layer Capacitors

Abstract

In an attempt to develop low-cost, high-performance activated carbon materials for electrochemical double layer capacitors, we explore the pyrolysis of a low cost precursor, cellulose sheets. Pyrolysis temperature is determined to be near 900oC by thermogravimetric analysis, and carbon dioxide etching is used to activate the carbon. Surface area and pore volume generally increase with etching time, and the electrochemical capacitance reaches a plateau of 60 to 65 F/g for etching times of more than 30 min. Degradation with cycling is observed and is attributed to the metal content in the raw material that may be enriched during the pyrolysis and etching processes.