Bisphenol A Epoxy Resin-Derived Activated Carbon with High Performance for Supercapacitors

Supercapacitors are important energy storage devices with the advantages of high power density and long cycle life, while their performance is highly dependent on the active materials. Exploitation of the carbon source and the synthesis method play a key role in supplying activated carbon (AC) for the electric double-layer capacitor (EDLC). Herein, Bisphenol A epoxy resin is used as the carbon source of activated carbon, and the air atmosphere during the carbonization process is used to improve the specific surface area of the resultant activated carbon (1731.18 m2 g–1 in air vs 1353.78 m2 g–1 in N2). Consequently, this activated carbon generated from bisphenol A epoxy resin in air had abundant micropores and mesopores and displayed good electrochemical performance: This porous carbon electrode has a specific capacitance of 422.9 F g–1 at 1 A g–1 (vs 285.1 F g–1 in N2). Its symmetric supercapacitor in 6 M KOH electrolyte has an energy density of 13.6 Wh kg–1 even at a power density of 1500 W kg–1, and a specific capacitance retention of 99.61% after 20 000 cycles.