Preparation of Graphene-like Carbon Materials as Electrodes of Electric Double Layer Capacitors

Graphene-like carbon materials (GCMs) are prepared by the carbonization of liquid acrylonitrile oligomer (LANO) at 600-1400 degrees C for 4 h in an Ar atmosphere. LANO undergoes thermal oxidative dehydrogenation and preliminary cyclization by pre-process in air at low temperature (120 degrees C) and high temperature (220 degrees C) before the carbonization. Surface chemistry, crystalline and pore structures of the GCMs are characterized by scanning electron microscope, power X-ray diffraction and N-2 adsorption respectively. Comparison of the effect of various carbonization temperatures on the electrochemical performance of the electric double layer capacitors (EDLCs) is specifically investigated. The GCMs carbonized at 1300 degrees C for 4 h shows a fairly good electrochemical performance. The BET surface area of GCM1300 is 81.58 m(2)/g and the specific capacitance of the GCM1300 is 22.52 F/g in 1 mol/L Et4NBF4/PC electrolytes.