Complex investigation of charge storage behavior of microporous carbon synthesized by zeolite template.

Microporous zeolite templated carbon (ZTC) was synthesized by impregnation method using zeolite Y (Na-form) as a template, and furfuryl alcohol as a carbon precursor. The characterization was carried out by X-ray diffractometry, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, nitrogen physisorption, elemental analysis and electrochemical methods. Physisorption measurements evidenced high micropore volume of obtained material (∼0.43 cm 3 g −1 ). The charge storage ability in aqueous KOH, H 2 SO 4 and Na 2 SO 4 solutions was systematically studied by cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charging/discharging and complex impedance measurements. Specific coulombic capacitance, the hydrogen storage, H ZTC bonding and relaxation time of adsorption were found to be dependent on the type of electrolyte. Neutral Na 2 SO 4 aqueous solution was found to be the best for supercapacitor application, thanks to: i) the highest available voltage window ii) lowest corrosion and iii) highest capacitance amounting to 123 F g −1 at 1 A g −1 . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]