U.S. patent application number 16/797229 was filed with the patent office on 2020-06-18 for activated carbons from dairy products.
The applicant listed for this patent is Clarkson University. Invention is credited to David Mitlin, Jesse Pokrzywinski.
Application Number | 20200194189 16/797229 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58690752 |
Filed Date | 2020-06-18 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200194189 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mitlin; David ; et
al. |
June 18, 2020 |
ACTIVATED CARBONS FROM DAIRY PRODUCTS
Abstract
An electrode of an energy storage device and methods of
fabrication are provided which include: pyrolyzing a
carbon-containing precursor to form a stabilized-carbonized
material; and annealing the stabilized-carbonized material to form
a structurally-modified activated carbon material. The
structurally-modified activated carbon material includes a tunable
pore size distribution and an electrochemically-active surface
area. The electrochemically-active surface area of the
structurally-modified activated carbon material is greater than a
surface area of graphene having at least one layer, the surface
area of the graphene having at least one layer being about 2630
m.sup.2 g.sup.1.
Inventors: |
Mitlin; David; (Lakeway,
TX) ; Pokrzywinski; Jesse; (Potsdam, NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Clarkson University |
Potsdam |
NY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
58690752 |
Appl. No.: |
16/797229 |
Filed: |
February 21, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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15350834 |
Nov 14, 2016 |
10614965 |
|
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16797229 |
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62303468 |
Mar 4, 2016 |
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62255070 |
Nov 13, 2015 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01G 11/26 20130101;
C01B 32/318 20170801; C01B 32/30 20170801; C01P 2006/16 20130101;
C01P 2006/40 20130101; H01M 2004/021 20130101; H01G 11/44 20130101;
H01G 11/06 20130101; C01B 32/342 20170801; H01M 4/587 20130101;
Y02E 60/13 20130101; H01G 11/34 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H01G 11/34 20060101
H01G011/34; H01M 4/587 20060101 H01M004/587; H01G 11/26 20060101
H01G011/26; H01G 11/44 20060101 H01G011/44; C01B 32/318 20060101
C01B032/318; C01B 32/342 20060101 C01B032/342 |
Claims
1. A method comprising: fabricating an electrode of an energy
storage device, the fabricating comprising: pyrolyzing a
carbon-containing precursor to form a stabilized- carbonized
material; and annealing the stabilized-carbonized material to form
a structurally- modified activated carbon material, wherein the
structurally-modified activated carbon material comprises a tunable
pore size distribution and an electrochemically-active surface
area, the electrochemically-active surface area being greater than
a surface area of graphene having at least one layer, the surface
area of the graphene having at least one layer being about 2630
m.sup.2 g.sup.-1.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the pyrolyzing of the
carbon-containing precursor at least partially hydrolyzes to form
the stabilized-carbonized material, wherein the
electrochemically-active surface area of the structurally-modified
activated carbon material is greater than the surface area of the
stabilized-carbonized material.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the pyrolyzing of the
carbon-containing precursor is performed at a temperature that is
lower than the annealing of the stabilized-carbonized material.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising chemically activating
the stabilized- carbonized material, concurrently with the
annealing, with an inorganic base to form the structurally-modified
activated carbon material, wherein the chemically activating of the
stabilized-carbonized material defines the tunable pore size
distribution of the structurally- modified activated carbon
material.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the tunable pore size
distribution of the structurally-modified activated carbon material
is modulated to have at least one of a micropore volume and a
mesopore volume, the mesopore volume being equal to or greater than
the micropore volume of a total pore volume disposed therein.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the structurally-modified
activated carbon material has an enhanced energy storage capacity
relative to a corresponding current density, the enhanced energy
storage capacity being a function of the mesopore volume
distributed within the structurally-modified activated carbon
material.
7. The method of claim 5, wherein the structurally-modified
activated carbon material has a microporosity of a pore size that
is less than 2 nm, and a mesoporosity of a pore size within a range
of about 2 nm to about 50 nm.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the structurally-modified
activated carbon material comprises at least one of an undoped
carbon material and a doped carbon material, wherein a dopant of
the doped carbon material is at least one of a nitrogen atom and an
oxygen atom, the dopant having an atomic content of about 0.2
weight % to about 20 weight % of a total weight of the
structurally-modified activated carbon material.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the carbon-containing precursor
comprises at least one of a plant-based precursor material, a
dairy-based precursor material, a fossil-fuel precursor material,
industrial or research-grade polymer precursor material, an organic
solution precursor material, a waste product precursor material, a
biological tissue precursor material, a metal-organic framework
precursor material, and a carbon-containing synthetic precursor
material.
10-29. (canceled)
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 62/255,070, filed Nov. 13, 2015, entitled
"Activated Carbon from Dairy Products" and U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 62/303,468, filed Mar. 4, 2016, entitled "Carbons
with Quasiperiodic Porosity and Surface Area Surpassing Graphene",
which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Energy-storage devices, such as, ultracapacitors (e.g.,
supercapacitors, electrochemical capacitors), have conventionally
been designed for high rate--high cyclability energy storage,
albeit at roughly a hundred times lower gravimetric and volumetric
energy, as compared to lithium ion batteries. Some of the end-uses
for ultracapacitors, for instance, include solar and wind capacity
firming, grid power regulation and leveling, voltage control,
windmill pitch control, heavy truck/bus transport start-stop
assist, and peak power assist, industrial shut-down support, among
others. One way to classify supercapacitor devices is by their
primary charge storage mechanism. As one skilled in the art will
understand, most commercial ultracapacitor devices are exclusively
electrical double layer capacitance (EDLC) devices which, for
instance, store energy through reversible accumulation of charged
ions in a double layer at an electrode's surface. While research is
ongoing in alternative electrolytes, such as, ionic liquids (ILs),
most commercial devices operate using a salt dissolved in an
organic electrolyte that is designed to minimize parasitic side
reactions at high voltages, for instance considering the Maxwell K2
Cell offering. It is recognized however that an aqueous electrolyte
has substantial advantages in terms of safety, environmental
friendliness and potential cost reduction. Akin to aqueous
batteries, aqueous supercapacitors can have a major impact in the
stationary energy storage arena where the intrinsic low cost and
safety of water-based systems are a major premium.
[0003] As understood, pseudocapacitors are another class of
ultracapacitor-like energy storage materials, with energy storage
capability primarily originating from reversible faradaic reactions
that occur at, and near the active material's (e.g., electrode's)
surface. The use of pseudocapacitors on the positive electrode
(also referred to as "hybrid devices") does significantly boost the
energy of aqueous devices, as the oxides or oxynitrides utilized
therein have capacitance values as high as 1,000-2,000 F g.sup.-1.
Moreover, a hybrid configuration (e.g., oxide on the positive
electrode, carbon on the negative electrode), does somewhat extend
the device voltage window by kinetically suppressing the
decomposition of water above 1.2 V. Nanostructured oxides and
nitrides, such as various forms of MnO.sub.2, Fe.sub.2O.sub.3,
NiCo.sub.2O.sub.4, Nb.sub.2O.sub.5, MnMoO.sub.4/CoMoO.sub.4,
Co.sub.3O.sub.4, CoMoO.sub.4 and VN are widely used for this
application. As one skilled in the art will understand, the extent
of the parallel EDLC contribution to energy storage in
pseudocapacitor systems will depend on the surface area of the
active (i.e., electrode) materials. Even the best performing
nanostructured oxides, will typically possess surface areas that
are at, or below 300 m.sup.2 g.sup.-1, which typically gives a
relatively modest EDLC response. Oxide-based faradaic systems have
seen less commercial activity, presumably due to a combination of
increased electrode cost and the inherent propensity of most oxides
to coarsen over time, due to voltage-induced dissolution or
dissolution-reprecipitation. Unfortunately, oxides and oxynitrides
are not fully stable during extended charging-discharging, leading
to lifetimes of 10,000 cycles or less for even the state-of-the-art
systems.
[0004] Thus, there remains a need for enhanced energy-storage
devices, and in particular, a need for novel, organic EDLC device
that utilizes an all-carbon symmetrical electrode configuration in
an aqueous electrolyte for enhanced performance efficiency of such
devices.
SUMMARY
[0005] The present invention is directed to, inter alia, a
structurally-modified activated carbon material for use, for
instance, with a variety of energy storage devices. In one
embodiment, the structurally-modified activated carbon material has
been fabricated from a carbon-containing multiphase precursors
(obtained, for instance, from plant-based materials, a diary-based
materials and the like) using a two-step fabrication process. The
two-step fabrication process, in one example, involves pyrolysis
process at a temperature that is sufficient to at least partially
hydrolyze the carbon-containing multiphase precursor to form a
stabilized-carbonized material. In one embodiment, the
stabilized-carbonized material may subsequently be combined with an
inorganic base and annealed at temperatures that are higher than
those of the pyrolysis process to form a structurally-modified
activated carbon material.
[0006] As disclosed herein, the structurally-modified activated
carbon material has, in one embodiment, a tunable pore distribution
that is modulated to have microporosity and mesoporosity, and an
electrochemically-active surface area that is greater than the
surface area of one or more graphene layers. In one embodiment, the
structurally-modified activated carbon material has enhanced energy
storage capacity relative to a corresponding current density, owing
to mesoporosity of the structurally-modified activated carbon
material. Further, in another embodiment, the structurally-modified
activated carbon material may be a doped carbon material or an
undoped carbon material, depending upon the heteroatom content of
the carbon-containing multiphase precursor material. In one
example, the doped carbon material of the structurally-modified
activated carbon material may be doped with a dopant (for instance,
nitrogen, oxygen, and the like) having an atomic content of about
0.2 weight % to about 20 weight % of a total weight of the
structurally-modified activated carbon material. Additionally, the
structurally-modified activated carbon material has been found to
have enhanced cyclability relative to that of a conventional
activated carbon.
[0007] In one aspect of the present application, a method for
fabricating an electrode of an energy storage device is provided
which includes: pyrolyzing a carbon-containing precursor to form a
stabilized-carbonized material; and annealing the
stabilized-carbonized material to form a structurally-modified
activated carbon material, wherein the structurally-modified
activated carbon material includes a tunable pore size distribution
and an electrochemically-active surface area, the
electrochemically-active surface area being greater than a surface
area of graphene having at least one layer, the surface area of the
graphene having at least one layer being about 2630
m.sup.2g.sup.-1.
[0008] According to an embodiment, the pyrolyzing of the
carbon-containing precursor at least partially hydrolyzes to form
the stabilized-carbonized material, where the
electrochemically-active surface area of the structurally-modified
activated carbon material is greater than the surface area of the
stabilized-carbonized material.
[0009] According to an embodiment, the pyrolyzing of the
carbon-containing precursor is performed at a temperature that is
lower than the annealing of the stabilized-carbonized material.
[0010] According to an embodiment, the method further includes
chemically activating the stabilized-carbonized material,
concurrently with the annealing, with an inorganic base to form the
structurally-modified activated carbon material, where the
chemically activating of the stabilized-carbonized material defines
the tunable pore size distribution of the structurally-modified
activated carbon material.
[0011] According to an embodiment, the tunable pore size
distribution of the structurally-modified activated carbon material
is modulated to have at least one of micropore volume and a
mesopore volume, the mesopore volume being equal to or greater than
the micropore volume of a total pore volume disposed therein.
[0012] According to an embodiment, the structurally-modified
activated carbon material has an enhanced energy storage capacity
relative to a corresponding current density, the enhanced energy
storage capacity being a function of the mesopore volume
distributed within the structurally-modified activated carbon
material.
[0013] According to an embodiment, the structurally-modified
activated carbon material has a microporosity of a pore size that
is less than 2 nm, and a mesoporosity of a pore size within a range
of about 2 nm to about 50 nm.
[0014] According to an embodiment, the structurally-modified
activated carbon material comprises at least one of an undoped
carbon material and a doped carbon material, where a dopant of the
doped carbon material is at least one of a nitrogen atom and an
oxygen atom, the dopant having an atomic content of about 0.2
weight % to about 20 weight % of a total weight of the
structurally-modified activated carbon material.
[0015] According to an embodiment, the carbon-containing precursor
includes at least one of a plant-based precursor material, a
dairy-based precursor material, a fossil-fuel precursor material,
industrial or research-grade polymer precursor material, an organic
solution precursor material, a waste product precursor material, a
biological tissue precursor material, a metal-organic framework
precursor material, and a carbon-containing synthetic precursor
material.
[0016] In another aspect of the present invention, an electrode of
an energy storage device is provided. The electrode includes: a
structurally-modified activated carbon material, the
structurally-modified activated carbon material including a tunable
pore size distribution and an electrochemically-active surface area
is greater than a surface area of graphene having at least one
layer, the surface area of graphene having at least one layer being
about 2630 m.sup.2g.sup.-1.
[0017] In another aspect of the present invention, a positive
electrode of an ion energy storage device is provided. The positive
electrode includes: a structurally-modified activated carbon
material, the structurally-modified activated carbon material
including a tunable pore size distribution and an
electrochemically-active surface area is greater than a surface
area of graphene having at least one layer, the surface area of
graphene having at least one layer being about 2630
m.sup.2g.sup.-1.
[0018] In another aspect of the present invention, a negative
electrode of an ion energy storage device is provided. The negative
electrode includes: a structurally-modified activated carbon
material, the structurally-modified activated carbon material
including a tunable pore size distribution and an
electrochemically-active surface area is greater than a surface
area of graphene having at least one layer, the surface area of
graphene having at least one layer being about 2630
m.sup.2g.sup.-1.
[0019] In another aspect of the present invention, an energy
storage device is provided. The energy storage device includes: an
electrode, the electrode comprising a structurally-modified
activated carbon material, the structurally-modified activated
carbon material including a tunable pore size distribution and an
electrochemically-active surface area is greater than a surface
area of graphene having at least one layer, the surface area of
graphene having at least one layer being about 2630
m.sup.2g.sup.-1.
[0020] In yet another aspect of the present invention, an energy
storage device is provided. The energy storage device includes: an
anode; and a cathode, wherein at least one of the anode and the
cathode include a structurally-modified activated carbon material,
the structurally-modified activated carbon material including a
tunable pore size distribution and an electrochemically-active
surface area is greater than a surface area of graphene having at
least one layer, the surface area of graphene having at least one
layer being about 2630 m.sup.2g.sup.-1.
[0021] In yet another aspect of the present invention, an
energy-storage device is provided. The energy-storage device
includes: a housing, the housing including dimensions that conform
to standardized battery dimensions; and a capacitor cell, the
capacitor cell disposed in the housing and electrically coupled to
the housing, wherein the capacitor cell includes at least one of a
positive electrode and a negative electrode, the at least one
positive electrode and the negative electrode including a
structurally-modified activated carbon material, the
structurally-modified activated carbon material including a tunable
pore size distribution and an electrochemically-active surface area
is greater than a surface area of graphene having at least one
layer, the surface area of graphene having at least one layer being
about 2630 m.sup.2g.sup.-1. In this embodiment, the energy-storage
device may include at least one of an electrochemical capacitor,
primary or secondary battery, a flow battery, a dionization
capacitor, a supercapattery, and other energy storage system based
on ions that are reversibly or irreversibly stored at a positive
electrode and a negative electrode.
[0022] Additional features and advantages are realized through the
techniques of the present invention. Other embodiments and aspects
of the invention are described in detail herein and are considered
a part of the claimed invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] One or more aspects of the present invention are
particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed as examples in the
claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and
other objects, features, and advantages of the invention are
apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings in which:
[0024] FIGS. 1A-1C illustrates a schematic representation of one
embodiment of a fabrication process of a structurally-modified
activated carbon material for use, for instance, with an
energy-storage device, in accordance with one or more aspects of
the present invention.
[0025] FIG. 2 is a graphical representation of one embodiment of a
thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) of a carbon-containing precursor
material upon pyrolysis thereof, in accordance with one or more
aspects of the present invention.
[0026] FIGS. 3A-3D depict a representative example of a scanning
electron microscope (SEM) micrographs of the structurally-modified
activated carbon material relative to that of a standardized
commercially-available activated carbon, in accordance with one or
more aspects of the present invention.
[0027] FIGS. 4A-4D depict a representative example of a
high-resolution transmission electron micrograph (HRTEM) images of
the structurally-modified activated carbon material relative to
that of a standardized commercially-available activated carbon, in
accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention.
[0028] FIGS. 5A-5K depict representative examples of experimental
data obtained for the structurally-modified activated carbon
material relative to that of a standardized commercially-available
activated carbon, in accordance with one or more aspects of the
present invention.
[0029] FIGS. 6A-6R depict representative examples of
electrochemical properties in three-electrode configuration (i.e.,
FIGS. 6A-6I) and two-electrode configuration (FIGS. 6J-6R),
respectively, that has been tested in 6M KOH electrolyte with a
1.0V window, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present
invention.
[0030] FIGS. 7A-7I depict representative examples of
electrochemical properties in two-electrode configuration that has
been tested in 1M Li.sub.2SO.sub.4 electrolyte with 1.8V window, in
accordance with an aspect of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0031] Aspects of the present invention and certain features,
advantages, and details thereof, are explained more fully below
with reference to the non-limiting examples illustrated in the
accompanying drawings. Descriptions of well-known structures are
omitted so as not to unnecessarily obscure the invention in detail.
It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and
the specific example, while indicating aspects of the invention,
are given by way of illustration only, and are not by way of
limitation. Various substitutions, modifications, additions, and/or
arrangements, within the spirit and/or scope of the underlying
inventive concepts will be apparent to those skilled in the art
from this disclosure.
[0032] As noted, enhanced energy-storage devices, such as,
ultracapacitors (e.g., supercapacitors, electrochemical capacitors)
having advanced carbon material as electrodes that can operate in
an aqueous electrolyte, continue to be developed for enhanced
efficiency and performance of such devices. As one skilled in the
art will understand, advanced carbon materials currently employed
in conventional energy-storage devices typically have both high
surface area--pore volume that is of an order of magnitude of about
100 m{circumflex over ( )}2/g and beyond, with varied heteroatom
content depending on the end-use (that includes, for instance,
nitrogen (N), oxygen (O), phosphorus (P) and boron (B) derived from
precursors that are rich in such heteroatoms). As understood, these
advanced carbon materials can have specific capacitance, typically
in the range of about 200 to 550 F g-.sup.1, at low (e.g., 0.05 A/g
at 1 mV/s) current densities. Such specific capacitance may be
attributed to a combination of EDLC and reversible faradaic
contribution of the heteroatom surface functionalities.
Disadvantageously, although such heteroatom-rich pseudocapacitive
carbons exhibit increased specific capacitance at very low and
intermediate current densities, the specific capacitance of such
materials has found to be significantly decreased at higher current
densities. For example, poly(o-phenylenediamine)-derived carbon in
the form of crumpled nanosheets, exhibited a record-breaking
specific capacitance over 600 F g.sup.-1 at 1 mV sec.sup.-1
(.about.1000 sec charge time), degrading to .about.75 F g.sup.-1 at
100 mV sec.sup.-1. This critical shortcoming may be inherent to the
reversible faradaic processes involved, which occur on longer time
scales than EDLC adsorption-desorption.
[0033] Further, energy-storage devices utilizing heteroatom-rich
advanced carbon materials have additionally been found to have
substantially reduced cyclability. While the mechanism has not been
examined in detail, performance degradation of such advanced carbon
materials may most likely occur as a result of dissolution or
deactivation of redox active surface moieties. As one skilled in
the art will understand it is difficult to find examples in
literature where cycling life of heteroatom-rich activated carbon
materials (e.g., N-rich, O-rich, etc.,) has exceeded 10,000 full
charge-discharge cycles. Tests in the literature are typically
concluded after 10,000 cycles, with capacity retention values of
75%-85% being typically reported.
[0034] Still further, and as understood, the efficiency of a
conventional commercially-available energy-storage device
(including, for instance, supercapacitor cell) is dependent upon
its cyclability, both in terms of charge-discharge numbers and the
rates that may be employed. However for supercapacitors to be
commercially viable, this has to be done at a low or moderate cost.
As a result, existing commercial supercapacitor cells are primarily
based on activated carbon, rather than on carbon nanotubes (CNTs),
graphene materials, or nanostructured oxides. Commercial
energy-storage devices typically employ an organic liquid
electrolyte with a dissolved salt, for example, tetraethylammonium
tetrafluoroborate (TEABF.sub.4) in acetonitrile. Yet a comparable
energy and power (for instance, about 5 Wh kg.sup.-1 by device
weight, about 20 Wh kg.sup.-1 by electrode material weight)
supercapacitor cell based on an aqueous electrolyte offers reduced
cost and improved safety.
[0035] To summarize, as an enhancement to existing energy-storage
devices, disclosed herein is an energy-storage device that includes
an activated carbon material that has been structurally-modified to
have a surface area and pore volume that is greater than those of
any commercially-available activated carbon material typically
obtained from conventional polymer-based carbon precursors. Note
that, although the use of the structurally-modified activated
carbon material has been exemplified in energy-storage devices
(e.g., batteries, supercapacitors, etc.), the structurally-modified
activated carbon material may also be utilized in a variety of
applications, as the heteroatoms and/or the dopants disposed
therein may provide unique chemical, electrical and electrochemical
properties to the material, while the enhanced
electrochemically-active surface area and the tunable pore size
distribution may provide ample reaction sites. For instance, the
structurally-modified activated carbon material may be employed in
a variety of applications, such as, energy conversion (e.g., fuel
cell, electrolyzer supports, etc.), catalysts (e.g., platinum (Pt)
supports oxygen reduction, hydrogenation catalyst supports), water
treatment, CO.sub.2 capture and other gas separation applications.
It may also be employed as a host to other electrochemically active
materials. One example includes storing Na, Se, or Si inside its
pores and/or on its surface for lithium ion battery applications.
Another example includes storing redox active oxides and nitrides,
such as, Fe.sub.2O.sub.3, NiO, Co.sub.3O.sub.4, Mn.sub.xO.sub.y,
Ru.sub.xO.sub.y, or Fe.sub.3O.sub.4 for supercapacitor
applications. Another end use is for this material to be employed
as an ancillary phase in an electrode, in parallel with a primary
material, such as, graphite. For supercapacitor applications, this
structurally-modified activated carbon material may be employed
with aqueous, organic and ionic liquid electrolytes, along with any
hybrid electrolyte system.
[0036] By way of example, the structurally-modified activated
carbon material may be utilized as an, for instance, but are not
limited to, a) enhanced performance electrode in lithium ion
batteries, sodium ion batteries, magnesium ion batteries, aluminum
ion batteries, etc.; b) enhanced electrodes for electrochemical
capacitors, i.e., supercapacitors; c) as enhanced electrodes for
hybrid battery-supercapacitor devices; d) enhanced electrodes for
fuel cell and electrolyzer anodes and cathodes, as a high surface
area catalyst support and/or as the catalyst per se; e) enhanced
high surface area support for conventional catalysts, replacing a
range of carbons and non-carbons currently employed; f) enhanced
carbon for water treatment, such as, hydrocarbon or heavy metal
removal and desalination including capacitive desalination; and g)
enhanced carbon for gas separation, carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2)
capture, and vehicle emissions control. By way of example, in one
embodiment, the structurally-modified activated carbon material
(e.g., EDLC carbon) disclosed herein is substantially pure with an
enhanced electrochemically-active surface area and tunable porosity
that allows enhancing specific capacitance at both low and high
charging rates, and a stable lifetime of 100,000 full
charge-discharge cycles. The major advancement in the structure of
the activated carbon electrode disclosed herein allows for
comparable energy-cyclability cells that run on aqueous rather than
organic electrolyte. However, a comparable specific capacitance
advantage due to the mesopores would be realized with an organic
electrolyte, or ionic liquid electrolyte system as well, including
electrolytes employed commercially by device manufacturers such as
Maxwell.
[0037] FIGS. 1A-1C illustrate a schematic representation of one
embodiment of a fabrication process of a structurally-modified
activated carbon material (FIG. 1C) for use, for instance, with an
energy-storage device, in accordance with one or more aspects of
the present invention. By way of example, in one embodiment, the
structurally-modified activated carbon material (FIG. 1C) may be
obtained, for instance, from a carbon-containing precursor (See
FIG. 1A) (which, for instance, includes a biphasic, triphasic or
multiphasic carbon-containing precursors) using a two-step
fabrication process that involves a low temperature pyrolysis
process which stabilizes an intermediate carbon structure, followed
by a high-temperature combined activation-annealing process. In one
example, the carbon-containing precursor, may be, or may include,
any carbon-rich precursor material, such as, a plant-based
precursor material, a dairy-based precursor material, a fossil-fuel
precursor material, industrial or research-grade polymer precursor
material, an organic solution precursor material, a waste product
precursor material, a biological tissue precursor materials, a
metal organic framework precursor material, and a carbon-containing
synthetic precursor material. Examples of the plant-based precursor
materials may be, or may include, but are not limited to, hemp
hurd, hemp fiber, cellulose, lignin, hemicellulose, combinations of
cellulose, lignin and hemicellulose, mixed hemp products, various
wood products, sawdust, soy hulls, rice hulls, wheat straw, hurd
and fiber from ramie, hurd and fiber from jute, hurd and fiber from
flax, hurd and fiber from keenaf and the like.
[0038] In another example, the carbon-containing precursors may be,
or may include, dairy-based precursor material, such as, but are
not limited to, milk obtained from, but is limited to that produced
by mammals (i.e., produced in the mammary glands of mammals), such
as, cow, sheep, ox, goat, yak, lama, water buffalo or any other
milk-producing living mammal. Still further, the dairy-based
precursor materials may be, or may include, but not limited to, any
dairy product or combination thereof, such as, raw milk,
unprocessed milk, waste milk, whole milk, low fat milk, no fat
milk, skim milk, buttermilk, spoiled milk, milk-derived baby
formula, or may be prepared from dehydrated milk, commercial milk
powder, evaporated milk or isolated milk protein such as casein or
whey proteins. The dairy precursor material may be, or may include,
homogenized, pasteurized, sterilized, refined, or otherwise
processed for any number of reasons such as palatability,
biological health and safety, shelf-life, or packaged for
transportation or consumption, or may be in bulk form, for example.
Furthermore, carbons with similar characteristics may be produced
from any number of combinations of blended materials that are found
in or derived from dairy products. For example, lactose, whey
protein, and butter may also be combined in ratios that would
closely simulate raw milk and can be used to produce heteroatom
rich, high surface area carbons possessing similar performance
characteristics to those obtained from the aforementioned dairy
precursors. In another example, the industrial or research-grade
polymer precursor material may be, or may include, but are not
limited to, phenolic resin, polyvinylidene fluoride,
polyacrylonitrile, polyethyleneterephthalate and the like.
[0039] In one implementation, the carbon-containing precursor (FIG.
1A) may be subjected to a two-step fabrication process to form the
structurally-modified activated carbon material, as depicted in
FIGS. 1A-1C. Note that, as described above, although the
carbon-containing precursor employed in the fabrication process can
extend to any of the above-described precursor materials, a
micellar structure of a milk product (and in particular, a bovine
milk product) is used as a specific example to describe the
fabrication process for the sake of clarity. By way of example, as
described below, the synergy between the casein miceller structure
and the inherent stability of the milk proteins have been exploited
using the two-step fabrication process described herein, and in
particular, using a low temperature pyrolyzing process, to
stabilize and preserve the intermediate 3-D structure of the
carbon-containing precursor material. Stabilization of the
nano-scale structure of the milk powder precursor allows for
extremely fine KOH (i.e., inorganic base) attack during the
subsequent high temperature combined heat treatment-activation
process. As will be demonstrated, further below, without the
450.degree. C. step, the resultant carbon is quite routine in terms
of its surface area and pore volume.
[0040] As understood, bovine milk protein composition consists of
about 80% casein proteins and about 20% soluble whey proteins. The
four main casein proteins (.alpha..sub.s1-, .alpha..sub.s2-,
.beta.-, and .kappa.-casein having a molar ratio of 4:1:3.5:1.5,
respectively) naturally self-assemble, along with inorganic calcium
phosphate "nanoclusters" (see "B" of FIG. 1A), into highly stable
micellar structures. Milk is bluish-white in color because there
are about 10.sup.15 light scattering casein micelles dispersed in
every milliliter of milk. In as obtained milk, the spherical
diameter of casein micelles is between 80-400 nanometers, with an
average of about 200 nanometers. In the actual milk powder, the
diameter of the micelles is expected to shrink drastically due to
the ultra-rapid dehydration process associated with its production,
whereby condensed milk is sprayed or atomized in a 205.degree.
C.
[0041] Micelle stability is based on three integral components of
the micelle system: 1) .kappa.-casein, 2) colloidal calcium
phosphate (CCP), and 3) hydrophobic interactions. Altering any of
the components that affect their stability can either result in
micellar aggregation or dissociation into their submicellar
components (see "A" of FIG. 1A). .kappa.-casein contributes to
micellar stability in water, primarily through steric hindrance
between caseinomacropeptides (CMP) extending from the micelle
surface which prevents excessive agglomeration, and to a lesser
degree through its negatively charged, hydrophilic surface
character. On the other hand, casein micelles are stabilized
internally through hydrophobic interactions, hydrogen bonding, and
the bridging of CCP to form calcium phosphate nanoclusters (See "B"
of FIG. 1A), all of which give rise to a primarily hydrophobic
core. Within the casein micelles, up to 13 negatively charged
phosphate groups are covalently bonded to serine residues along the
amino acid backbone of the 4 major casein proteins. Internally,
these phosphoserine groups in turn bond to divalent calcium ions,
which in turn bond to ortho-phosphate, which bonds to another
divalent calcium ion, and so forth, to form a nanocluster of
calcium phosphate (See "B" of FIG. 1A), which ultimately bonds to a
phosphoserine residue of another casein molecule (See "C" of FIG.
1A) and terminates the cycle. In this manner, calcium phosphate
nanoclusters (.about.2-3 nm) are effectively the glue that binds
around 10,000 casein molecules together into a single stable casein
micelle.
[0042] The casein micelle is remarkably thermally stable; up to
140.degree. C. in milk. Furthermore, upon heating, the relatively
small amount of whey protein or lactose that potentially exists can
react with the .kappa.-casein molecules that are primarily external
to the micelle to form a stable complex. Therefore during spray
drying whereby powdered milk is produced, the micellar structure
and composition remains largely unchanged while only free water is
removed. The presence of intact casein micelles and their
substructure in the powder state was demonstrated for the first
time recently using small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS)
measurements. Even when calcium phosphate is dissolved out of the
micelles through acidification, the micellar integrity is largely
maintained, demonstrating considerable stability.
[0043] It may be hypothesized that due to the fact micelle motion
is hindered within the milk powder, the overall arrangement may be
preserved during heating to 450.degree. C., but with an overall
scale that is reduced. Specifically, during low temperature
pyrolysis, the calcium phosphate nanocluster-casein protein
associations that remain in the dry milk may serve as a "support
framework" for three-dimensional nano-scale structure development
and preservation of the carbon product. In effect, they may prevent
the carbon from becoming homogeneous. As bound water and other
labile components are removed, some phosphoric acid may be
generated. At 450.degree. C., the phosphoric acid may be
volatilized quite rapidly as its boiling point is 407.degree. C.
Note that, both phosphoric acid and calcium are known porogens. As
may be observed in the SEM micrographs (FIGS. 1A-1C), limited
macropore development may actually occur at low temperature as the
phosphoric acid is evaporated and carried away in the inert gas
stream. During chemical KOH activation at higher temperatures
(750.degree. C.-950.degree. C.), micropore and mesopore development
dominates, resulting in an extremely high surface area and pore
volume.
[0044] Further, in conventional activated carbons (ACs) processed
with an inorganic base, such as, KOH, the mechanism of
activation-carbonization is partially understood. In general,
processes begin with low temperature solid state reactions between
KOH and the carbon, followed by a series of solid-liquid reactions
that include the intercalation of liquid K in its reduced state
into the defective regions of the carbon. Liquid K intercalation
nominally occurs above 700.degree. C. It is this
liquid-intercalation that is in large part responsible for the
formation of the nanopores in the final granular AC. For instance,
the following reaction sequences have been proposed for
conventional ACs and may be present with gas-liquid chromatography
(GLC) formation at sub 700.degree. C. temperatures:
2KOH=>K.sub.2O+H.sub.2O, C+H.sub.2O=>CO+H.sub.2,
CO+H.sub.2O=>CO2+H.sub.2, CO.sub.2+K2O=>K.sub.2CO.sub.3. An
alternative reaction sequence has been proposed as well (same
reference set) at 400.degree. C., there is a reaction
6KOH+2C=>2K+3H.sub.2+2K.sub.2CO.sub.3. Following at higher
temperatures there is the following process, with liquid K being
the only potassium containing phases at above 700.degree. C.:
K.sub.2CO.sub.3=>K.sub.2O+CO.sub.2; CO.sub.2+C=>2CO,
K.sub.2CO.sub.3+2C=>2K+3CO; K.sub.2CO.sub.3+2C=>2K+3CO,
C+K.sub.2O=>2K+CO. Intercalated metallic K is then removed,
leaving behind nanopores. The key point for activation using KOH is
that the pore, periodicity, mean diameter, total volume, etc. are
all critically dependent on the heterogeneity in the structure and
chemistry of the carbon during the activation process. The
micelle-stabilized structure of the post-450.degree. C. carbon make
it heterogeneous on a chemical/structural scale that is remarkably
fine. This in-turn serves as a template for the various stages of
KOH attack. Thus the resultant porosity is effectively unparalleled
even as compared to more expensive and less environmentally
friendly precursors based on commercial polymers, such as
polyaniline, polyacrylamide, polyacrylonitrile, polyethylene
terephthalate.
[0045] By way of example, and in one embodiment, the fabrication
process proceeds by pyrolyzing the carbon-containing precursor
material, such as, the bovine milk protein, at a temperature that
is sufficient to at least partially hydrolyze the carbon-containing
precursor material to form a stabilized-carbonized material (See
FIG. 1B). In one embodiment, the carbon-containing precursor
material may be pyrolyzed at a temperature within a range of about
100.degree. C. to about 700.degree. C. for about 2 hours in the
presence of an inert gas, such as, argon. Note that, the 3-D
microstructure of the stabilized-carbonized material is preserved
and stabilized as indicated by the morphology thereof, depicted in
FIG. 1B. Note that, as indicated in the thermogravimetric analysis
(TGA) depicted in FIG. 2, heating the precursor to 450.degree. C.
and then holding it for 2 hours results in a carbon yield of about
28%. This is in excellent agreement with the macroporous structure
and intermediate carbon yield (typically about 25-30%) obtained
during the actual low-temperature pyrolysis pre-carbonization
step.
[0046] Further, the stabilized-carbonized material (FIG. 1B) may,
subsequently, be combined (for instance, ground together) with an
inorganic base, such as, potassium hydroxide, and annealed at a
temperature that is higher than the pyrolyzing temperature. In one
embodiment, the stabilized-carbonized material may be annealed at a
temperature of about 750.degree. C. to about 950.degree. C. to form
the structurally-modified activated carbon material (FIG. 1C) (also
referred to herein as "Immense Surface Area Carbons" (ISACs)),
having a surface area that is greater than the surface area of the
stabilized-carbonized material. In an additional embodiment, higher
temperatures may also be used, for example, 1050.degree. C. and
beyond, during the annealing process. Note that, in one embodiment,
the inorganic base disposed within the stabilized-carbonized
material facilitates chemically activating the
stabilized-carbonized material during the high-temperature
annealing process (also referred to herein as "activation
process"). As described further below, in one embodiment, such
chemical activation process performed concurrently with the
annealing of the stabilized-carbonized material facilitates
defining the tunable pore size distribution of the
structurally-modified activated carbon material (FIG. 1C). As used
herein, the "structurally-modified activated carbon material"
refers to an activated carbon material that has been
structurally-modified to have an enhanced surface area that is
electrochemically active (for instance, as calculated by
Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) method) and has a tunable pore size
distribution (for instance, as calculated by Non-Local Density
Functional Theory (NLDFT)) that can be modulated to have a pore
size that includes both microporosity (for example, having a pore
size that is less than about 2 nm) and mesoporosity (for example,
having a pore size within a range of about 2 nm to about 5 nm). As
described further below (see Table 1), in one embodiment, the
structurally-modified activated carbon material disclosed herein
has been found to have a mesopore volume that is equal to or
greater than the micropore volume of a total pore volume of the
structurally-modified activated carbon material, owing, for
instance, to the two-step fabrication process disclosed herein,
namely, the low-temperature pyrolysis process and the
high-temperature annealing-activation process.
[0047] By way of example, the structurally-modified activated
carbon material (ISACs) (FIG. 1C) may have the
electrochemically-active surface area of about 4051
m.sup.2g.sup.-1, and may have a total pore volume of about 2.60
cm.sup.3g.sup.-1, of which the micropore volume may be within a
range of about 1% to about 50%, and the mesopore volume may be
within a range of about 50% to about 99%. Advantageously, the
electrochemically-active surface area of the structurally-modified
activated carbon material (FIG. 1C) has been found to be greater
than a surface area of one or more graphene layers (e.g., a single
graphene layer has a surface area of 2630 m.sup.2 g.sup.-1), while
the tunable pore size distribution facilitates enhancing energy
storage capacity (also referred to herein as "specific
capacitance") relative to a corresponding current density. Note
that, as one skilled in the art will understand, the surface area
of graphene decreases with an increase in the layers of the
graphene. By way of example, and in one embodiment, the
structurally-modified activated carbon material (ISACs) (FIG. 1C)
has been found to exhibit specific capacitance of about 540 F
g.sup.-1 at 0.2 A g.sup.-1, about 409 F g.sup.-1 at 1 A g.sup.-1
and about 226 F g.sup.-1 at a very high current density of 300 A
g.sup.-1 (.about.0.15 second charge time). Note that, in one
embodiment, and as further confirmed by the experimental data
provided below in Table 1, the specific capacitance of the
structurally-modified activated carbon material has been found to
be a function of the mesopore volume distributed within the
structurally-modified activated carbon material. As used herein,
the term "function" refers to an increase in the specific
capacitance of the structurally-modified activated carbon material
with an increase in the volume of the mesoporosity distributed
within the structurally-modified activated carbon material.
[0048] Still further, in one embodiment, the structurally-modified
activated carbon material may be a doped carbon material or an
undoped carbon material, depending upon the heteroatom content of
the carbon-containing multiphase precursor material. Note that, as
the above-mentioned carbon-containing precursor materials may
predominantly have heteroatoms, such as, nitrogen, and oxygen, the
dopant present in the structurally-modified activated carbon
material may have an atomic content of about 0.2 weight % to about
20 weight % of a total weight of the structurally-modified
activated carbon material.
[0049] Note that, as described further below, various samples of
the structurally-modified activated carbon material have been
formed by varying the annealing temperatures and/or temperatures of
the activation process. For instance, the structurally-modified
activation carbon material (ISAC) specimens have been labeled as
"ISAC 750", "ISAC 850" and "ISAC 950", depending on the temperature
of the activation/annealing process. Note that, although not
depicted in the figures, in one embodiment, separate
thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) yield measurements after the
intermediate stabilized-carbonized material high-temperature
activation step of the various ISAC specimens gave a carbon yield
of 58% for ISAC 750, 46% for ISAC 850 and 11% for ISAC 950. This
suggests that during chemical activation process, the propensity
for the carbon to collapse upon itself and undergo extensive
gasification as activation temperature increases. Note that, in one
embodiment, the combination of surface area and porosity are
maximized at an activation temperature of about 850.degree. C.
[0050] By way of clarification, FIGS. 5A-5K, 6A-6R & 7A-7I
illustrate representative examples of experimental data provided in
support of the above discussion, in accordance with one or more
aspects of the present invention. Note that, as discussed herein, a
commercially purchased advanced electrode-grade activated carbon
(e.g., NORIT.RTM. SUPRA) was employed as a baseline, and is
heretofore referred to as "NORIT". As an additional baseline
comparison carbon, a ground precursor-KOH sample was processed
identically at 850.degree. C., but without a prior 450.degree. C.
stabilization heat treatment.
[0051] In one embodiment, FIGS. 3A-3D depict a representative
example of a scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrographs of the
structurally-modified activated carbon material (e.g., ISAC 750
(FIG. 3A), ISAC 850 (FIG. 3B) and ISAC 950 (FIG. 3C)) relative to
that of a standardized commercially-available activated carbon
(i.e., NORIT), in accordance with one or more aspects of the
present invention. Note that, the overall morphology of ISACs is
quite analogous to that of Norit, with relatively dense
particulates in the 10-100 micrometer size range. Qualitatively it
may be seen that ISAC is actually more homogenous in its particle
size distribution than the Norit.
[0052] In one embodiment, FIGS. 4A-4C depict a representative
example of a high-resolution transmission electron micrograph
(HRTEM) images of the structurally-modified activated carbon
material (i.e., ISAC 850 (FIGS. 4A and 4B), ISAC 950 (FIG. 4C))
relative to that of a standardized commercially-available activated
carbon (i.e., NORIT (FIG. 4D)), in accordance with one or more
aspects of the present invention. It may be seen that none of the
ISACs are graphitic or highly ordered, which is expected due to the
relatively low temperature of pyrolysis-activation, the presence of
KOH activating agent, and the lack of aromatic structure in the
precursor. The carbons are primarily disordered with contrast
synonymous with extensive nanoporosity. As will be demonstrated in
the subsequent figures, the primary role of the activation
temperature is in affecting the pore size distribution. Note that,
as described above in connection with FIGS. 3A-3D relative to those
of the FIGS. 1A-1C, and particularly, with regard to FIG. 1B (i.e.,
the image of the stabilized-carbonized material (450.degree. C.)),
it is evident that the high temperature KOH activation also
physically breaks up the particles, refining their sizes from a
maximum size of over 200 .mu.m down to roughly 25 .mu.m or
less.
[0053] Further, in one embodiment, FIG. 5A depicts a composite of
the Raman spectrum plots for structurally-modified activated carbon
material (i.e., ISAC 750 (A of FIG. 5A), 850 (B of FIG. 5A), and
950 (C of FIG. 5A), along with that of baseline standardized
commercially-available activated carbon (i.e. NORIT) (D of FIG.
5A). The degree of ordering in a carbon is estimated by the
intensity ratio between the G band (.about.1600 cm.sup.-1) and the
D band (.about.1350 cm.sup.-1) of the Raman spectra. The G band
corresponds to the graphitic order, while the D band corresponds to
the degree of disordered/defectiveness in the structure. Note that,
in one embodiment, the textural, structural and electrochemical
properties of the various structurally-modified activated carbon
material (i.e., ISAC 750, ISAC 850 and ISAC 950) relative to those
of the standardized commercially-available activated carbon (i.e.,
NORIT) have been summarized below in Table 1. As presented below,
all three ISAC carbons show similar I.sub.D/I.sub.G ratio of near
1, confirming that the temperature employed in the activation
process does not significantly affect order. The actual
I.sub.D/I.sub.G ratios are 1.15 for ISAC 750, 1.05 for ISAC 850 and
0.97 for ISAC 850, with the differences being insignificant. NORIT
is also highly disordered, with I.sub.D/I.sub.G being 1.3.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Summary of the textural, structural and
electrochemical properties of ISACs. S.sub.BET.sup.a V.sub.t.sup.b
Pore Volume % Composition.sup.e C.sub.g.sup.f C.sub.c.sup.g
C.sub.r.sup.h Samples [m.sup.2g.sup.-1] [cm.sup.3 g .sup.-1]
V.sub.micro.sup.c V.sub.mesa.sup.d I.sub.D/I.sub.G C N O [F
g.sup.-1] [F g.sup.-1] [F g.sup.-1] ISAC 750 3708 2.11 30 68 1.1
96.38% 0.69% 2.93% 426 300 309 ISAC 850 4051 2.60 22 76 1.1 98.12%
0.77% 1.10% 540 304 385 ISAC 950 3339 2.45 18 79 1.0 98.44% 0.66%
0.89% 301 230 256 Norit 1761 0.84 60 37 1.3 96.21% <0.45% 3.34%
162 90 109 .sup.aSpecific Surface Area calculated by
Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) method .sup.bTotal pore volume
calculated by Non-Local Density Functional Theory (NLDFT)
.sup.cMicropore volume (<2 nm, pore diameter) .sup.dSmall
mesopore volume (2 nm-10 nm pore diameter) .sup.eComposition
(Atomic %) determined by combustion elemental analysis
.sup.fSpecific Capacitance at current density of 0.2 A g.sup.-1 in
6M KOH using 3-electrode configuration .sup.gSpecific Capacitance
at current density of 0.2 A g.sup.-1 in 6M KOH using symmetrical
2-electrode configuration .sup.hSpecific Capacitance at current
density of 0.2 A g.sup.-1 in 1M U.sub.2SO.sub.4 using symmetrical
2-electrode configuration
[0054] FIG. 5B shows the X-ray patterns for the four specimens,
namely, the various structurally-modified activated carbon material
specimens ISACs (ISAC 750 (A of FIG. 5B), ISAC 850 (B of FIG. 5B)
and ISAC 950 (C of FIG. 5B)) and the commercially-available
activated carbon (NORIT) (D of FIG. 5B). Note that, the broad (002)
and barely discernable (100) diffraction peaks confirm the low
degree of order in the carbons. Additionally there is an intense
broad peak centered at 2.theta.18 10.degree. for the ISAC
specimens. Peaks at similar low angle position, albeit much sharper
and with higher relative intensity, have been reported for
zeolite-templated carbons. In that case, the peak is clearly
associated with the scale of the long-range ordered pore
periodicity, which is dictated by the crystalline zeolite template.
In the case of ISACs, long-range pore periodicity should not exist.
However it may hypothesized that there is some level of
quasi-periodicity associated with the micelle-templated pore
structure that gives rise to the highly broadened peaks in similar
positions. The average periodicity of the pores, which may be may
be deduced from Bragg's law: At 2.theta.=10.degree., the pores are
8.8 .ANG. apart, far wider than the 3.7 .ANG. spacing of the
adjacent defective graphene planes measured by the (002) peak
position in activated carbon. The weak highly crystalline peaks in
the pattern were identified to be associated small amounts of
magnesium formate and magnesium carbonate in the powder. According
to inductively coupled plasma analysis, these compounds are present
in quantities of <0.088 wt. % (as magnesium). As their fraction
is minor and they are not known to be redox active, their presence
should not affect the electrochemical response.
[0055] According to the Combustion Elemental Analysis shown in
Table 1 (above), and the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS)
results presented in FIG. 5C, all ISAC carbons (e.g., ISAC 750,
ISAC 850 and ISAC 950) are relatively low in heteroatoms. Note
that, in one embodiment, FIG. 5C depicts O1s high-resolution XPS
spectra of ISAC 850 with peaks at binding energies of 531 eV and
533 eV assigned to C.dbd.O and C--O species, respectively. In fact,
every ISAC contains less oxygen than the baseline Norit. The
primary heteroatoms (referred to herein as "dopants") found in all
structurally-modified activated carbon (ISACs) are nitrogen and
oxygen. This is what is expected, as precursor is both O and
N-rich. However, their overall content is quite low (4.5-2% total),
indicating that most O and N is liberated during synthesis. This is
a far contrast from the state-of-the-art heteroatom rich carbons
from scientific literature that may contain up to 15wt. % oxygen
and/or nitrogen. It is therefore expected that any redox
contribution to the specific capacitance in the ISAC carbons should
not be significant. Rather the charge storage behavior is dominated
by electrical double layer capacitance (EDLC) of reversibly
adsorbed ions on the carbon walls.
[0056] To investigate the textual properties of
structurally-modified activated carbon (ISACs), N.sub.2
adsorption-desorption isotherms and pore size distribution analyses
were performed, as depicted in FIGS. 5D-5K. By way of example, FIG.
5D depicts the nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms of ISACs
and baseline (i.e., commercially-available activated carbon) NORIT,
while FIG. 5E depicts an expanded micropore/small mesopore
distribution of pore size distribution of structurally-modified
activated carbon (ISACs, i.e., ISAC 750, ISAC 850 and ISAC 950,
respectively) and baseline NORIT. Note that, FIG. 5E confirms the
enhanced tunable pore size distribution of ISAC relative to that of
the baseline NORIT. Further, FIG. 5F depicts expanded cumulative
pore volume distribution for ISACs and baseline NORIT, as
calculated by Non-Local Density Functional Theory (NLDFT), and
confirms the enhanced pore volume distribution of the ISACs
relative to that of the baseline NORIT. Still further, FIGS. 5G-5K
depict comparison of structurally-modified activated carbon
material (ISAC 850) prepared by partial carbonization of precursor
followed by separate high temperature carbonization/activation vs.
simulated carbonization-activation of carbon-contained precursor.
For instance, in one example, while FIG. 5G depicts nitrogen
adsorption-desorption isotherms for ISAC (i.e., ISAC 850), an
expanded isotherm depicted in FIG. 5F confirms the enhanced tunable
pore size distribution of the ISAC obtained using the two-step
fabrication process, in accordance with one or more aspects of the
present invention. Similarly, FIG. 5I depicts the full scale pore
size distributions of the ISAC (i.e., ISAC 850), and an expanded
spectrum depicted in FIG. 5J confirms the enhanced pore size
distribution of ISAC 850 obtained using the two-step fabrication
process disclosed herein. FIG. 5K confirms the full scale
cumulative pore volume profile of the ISAC 850 obtained using the
two-step fabrication process disclosed herein.
[0057] Table 1 also compiles the details of the textural parameters
of structurally-modified activated carbon (ISACs) and of the
baseline (i.e., commercially-available activated carbon) NORIT. It
may be observed that the ISAC carbons possess more than 2.times.
the surface area of the state-of-the-art (i.e.,
commercially-available activated carbon) NORIT A SUPRA. In fact,
the combination of surface area (4051 m.sup.2g.sup.-1) and pore
volume (2.60 cm.sup.3g.sup.-1) for ISAC 850 are unprecedented, as
presented above in Table 1. Note that, no comparable reports in
open scientific literature of carbons which such high surface
area-pore volume combinations have been found. As discussed, the
extremely high surface area and pore volume in these materials may
be attributed directly to the stabilization of the micelle
structure, which in turn leads to an extremely fine and potentially
quasi-periodic attack during the KOH activation process. Note that,
as described above in connection with FIGS. 3A-3D, if the
850.degree. C. activation is performed without the 450.degree. C.
stabilization step, the resultant surface area is only 531 m.sup.2
g.sup.-1.
[0058] As presented, Table 2 compares the textural properties of
structurally-modified activated carbon (ISACs) to that of some of
the most advanced-highest surface area carbons in literature. The
comparison includes a recent highly publicized study on an
"ultra-high" surface area carbon derived from PANi aerogel, which
was 4073 m.sup.2g.sup.-1 with a pore volume of 2.26 cm.sup.3
g.sup.-1. Overall, ISAC's pore volume is in fact the highest
reported of any carbon. ISAC's surface area is the second highest
reported, being number two by a fairly narrow margin of 52
m.sup.2g.sup.-1. The remaining carbons in the Table 2 are primarily
versions of activated graphene, derived from graphene oxide through
reducing and activation. Structurally-modified activated carbons
(ISACs) are the only carbons in this class of ultrahigh surface
area materials that are derived from a biological precursor, making
them unique from that vantage as well. The other
biological-precursor based carbons always produce much lower
surface areas, typically in the 2000 m.sup.2g.sup.-1 range or
less.
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Comparison of the textural properties of
ISAC 850 with those of advanced supercapacitor carbons from
scientific literature S.sub.BET.sup.a V.sub.t.sup.b Pore Volume (%)
Precursor Carbon Structure [m.sup.2 g.sup.-1] [cm.sup.3 g.sup.-1]
V.sub.<2 nm V.sub.meso.sup.c Milk Powder Activated Carbon 4051
2.60 22 78 Peat Activated Carbon 1721 0.79 55 40 (NORIT A SUPRA)
Graphene oxide Activated microwave- 3100 2.14 NA NA expanded
graphene oxide PANI Activated carbon 1976 1.25 25 75 nanofiber PPy
coated carbon N-doped porous carbon 563 0.51 NA NA nanofibers
nanofibers Graphene aerogel- 3-D graphene aerogel- 295 NA NA NA
SiO.sub.2 templated based mesoporous sucrose carbon Graphene oxide
Activated reduced 2400 1.5 NA NA graphene oxide paper Graphene
oxide Hydrazine-reduced 951 NA NA NA graphene hydrogel Graphene
oxide Crumpled N-doped 465 3.42 NA NA graphene nanosheets
Pluronic-templated N-doped ordered 1417 0.91 NA NA
dicyandiamide-resol mesoporous carbon copolymer Graphene oxide
Activated microwave- 3290 NA NA NA expanded graphene oxide spheres
Egg white Hierarchical mesoporous 806 NA NA >90 carbon Phenol +
3D-porous graphene- 3523 2.13 27 73 Formaldehyde + based material
Graphene Oxide Lignin + Graphene 3D-porous graphene- 3026 2.40 18
82 Oxide based material Zeolitic imidazolate Microporous MOF 1110
0.62 65 35 framework carbon Magnesium oxide Carbon nanocage 2053 NA
NA NA templated benzene Hemp Carbon nanosheets 2287 1.45 56 44
PANI-phytic acid 3D hierarchical porous 4073 2.26 NA NA polymer
graphitic carbon Egg white Heteroatom-rich 1406 0.73 86 14
activated carbon Dead leaves Microporous carbon 1230 NA NA NA
.sup.aSpecific Surface Area calculated by Brunauer-Emmett-Teller
(BET) method .sup.bTotal pore volume calculated by Non-Local
Density Functional Theory (NLDFT) .sup.cMesopore volume (2 nm-50
nm)
[0059] Note that, in one embodiment, the surface area numbers of
the structurally-modified activated carbon (ISACs) disclosed herein
have been confirmed multiple times. For instance, there were at
over twenty separate BET /pore distribution experiments there were
performed on the ISACs disclosed herein, with each one being
synthesized in a separate batch. The repeatability of the
measurements has been confirmed in each instance.
[0060] The porous texture of structurally-modified activated carbon
material (ISAC) was analyzed by N.sub.2-adsorption at 77K. As
described above, FIG. 5D further shows that all the ISAC 750 and
Norit exhibit type IV isotherms with well-defined plateaus
indicating a typical character of microporous-mesoporous materials.
The broadening of the knee at P/P.sub.o.about.0.4 is characteristic
of the presence of small mesopores, while the pronounced type H2
hysteresis loop for ISAC 850 and ISAC 950 indicates the presence of
abundant larger mesopores as well. Significant mesoporosity will be
critically important in rationalizing the superior rate capability
of all three ISAC carbons. Judging from the data, it appears that
there is a volcano type behavior for optimizing the surface area in
these carbons. Going from 750.degree. C. to 850.degree. C.,
activation improves the total surface area and mesopore/micropore
ratio, presumably due to increased aggressiveness of the KOH
attack. However, further increasing the activation temperature to
950.degree. C. actually decreases the overall surface area, total
volume, and percentage of micropores. This is attributed to the
elevated temperature promoting collapse of the finest pores, their
sintering and significant generation of volatile species (supported
by the substantial reduction in yield at 950.degree. C.), and/or
Ostwald Ripening, resulting in the elimination of the majority of
sub-2 nm structures that are expected to be the least energetically
stable.
Electrochemical Properties of Structurally-Modified Activated
Carbons (ISACs)
[0061] A range of electroanalytical techniques were employed to
characterize the performance of the structurally-modified activated
carbon (ISAC) specimens disclosed herein, including three-electrode
and two-electrode testing. Two types of aqueous electrolytes were
employed, a basic 6M KOH with a window of 1.0 V (FIGS. 6A-6R), and
a neutral 1M Li.sub.2SO.sub.4 with a window of 1.8 V (FIGS. 7A-7I).
As neutral electrolytes suppress oxygen and hydrogen evolution, a
wider allowable voltage window is possible with Li.sub.2SO.sub.4 or
Na.sub.2SO.sub.4 versus standard base or acid aqueous systems. As a
baseline, commercially-available activated carbon (NORIT A SUPRA)
was also identically tested.
[0062] By way of example, cyclic voltammetry was carried out
employing a three-electrode setup in an electrolyte of 6 M KOH at
room temperature, as depicted in FIGS. 6A-6R. FIG. 6A shows the
cyclic voltammetry (CV) curves of ISACs at a scan rate of 10 mV
s.sup.-1. The specific capacitance of ISACs (e.g., ISAC 750 (A of
FIG. 6A), ISAC 850 (B of FIG. 6A) and ISAC 950 (C of FIG. 6A) is
substantially superior to Norit (D of FIG. 6A). ISACs possess
ultra-high surface area with little redox-active heteroatom
content. Thus, there is a huge electrical double-layer contribution
(EDLC) but a minimal pseudocapacitive faradaic response. It can be
observed that the CV curves for all ISACs display a
quasi-rectangular shape that is expected for conducting EDLC
carbons. FIG. 6E shows the CV curves for ISAC 850, presented at the
different scan rates. The rates range from 5 to 200 mV s.sup.-1,
the latter being a 5 second charge or discharge. It may be observed
that even at 200 mV s.sup.-1, the CV for ISAC 850 remains fairly
rectangular. This indicates excellent resistance to ion-in-pore
diffusional losses, and may be straight forwardly attributed to the
mesopore content in the carbon. ISAC 850 contains 76% mesopores (2
nm-10 nm diameter) by volume, i.e. 1.98 cm.sup.3 g.sup.-1 of
mesoporosity.
[0063] FIG. 6B gives the three-electrode galvanostatic
charge-discharge profiles of ISAC 850 at various current densities.
It may be observed that even at high currents, such as 10 A
g.sup.-1, the charge-discharge curves are symmetric in terms of the
time to charge vs. the time to discharge. Moreover, the curves
demonstrate low IR drops during the discharge. The symmetry
indicates excellent Coulombic efficiency, which the low IR drops
indicate minimal diffusional or electrical resistance losses. FIG.
6F compares the galvanostatic data for structurally-modified
activated carbon (ISAC) (e.g., ISAC 750 (A), ISAC 850 (B) and ISAC
950 (C)) and for the baseline, (i.e., commercially-available
activated carbon) Norit (D), at a current density of 2 A g.sup.-1.
The charge storage capacity of the ISACs is far higher than that of
Norit, as indicated by the much longer time to charge at the same
current. This may be directly attributed to more than twice the
surface area of ISACs, combined with substantially lower
diffusional limitations due to much higher fraction of
mesopores.
[0064] FIG. 6C shows the three-electrode rate capability of all
three ISACs and that of the baseline (i.e., commercially-available
activated carbon) Norit. FIG. 6D compares the rate capability
comparison of ISAC 850 with advanced carbons from literature. FIG.
6G shows a magnified view of the low current density specific
capacitance values for structurally-modified activated carbon
(ISACs) and baseline commercially-available activated carbon
(Norit) (same data as FIG. 6D). Note that, as depicted in FIG. 6G,
at 0.2 A g.sup.-1, a specific capacitance of 426, 540, 301 and 162
F g.sup.-1 are obtained for ISAC 750 (A), ISAC 850 (B), ISAC 950
(C), and Norit (D), respectively. At 0.5 A g.sup.-1, these values
are 374, 446, 266 and 132 F g.sup.-1, respectively. As evident from
FIG. 6G, ISAC 850 (B), with its optimized surface area--pore
volume--mesoporosity combination yields the best overall results.
Note that, as indicated in FIG. 6D, even at the extreme 250 A
g.sup.-1 the specific capacitance of ISAC 850 will still be
formidable at 260 F g.sup.-1. Note also that, such combination of
specific capacitance and rate capability has previously never been
achieved in a conventional carbon. What is equally remarkable is
that such specific capacitance values are achieved primarily by
EDLC charge storage. As indicated in FIG. 6D, the overall rate
performance of ISAC 850 is quite favorable as compared previously
published pure or heteroatom doped carbons. In general, performance
at 250 A g.sup.-1 or 300 A g.sup.-1 is not reported in literature
period.
[0065] To simulate behavior of structurally-modified activated
carbon (ISACs) in actual devices, electrochemical performance has
been evaluated in a symmetrical two-electrode cell setup. FIGS.
6J-6R display the electrochemical properties in a symmetrical
two-electrode cells, tested in 6M KOH electrolyte with a 1.0 V
window. FIG. 6J shows a comparison of the galvanostatic curves for
ISACs (i.e., ISAC 750 (A), ISAC 850 (B) & ISAC 950 (C)) and
Norit (D) at 2 A g.sup.-1. Akin to the three electrode data, the
galvanostatic results demonstrate ISACs 850 and 750 to be the
overall most favorable performers. FIG. 6N shows a comparison of
the CV curves for ISACs (i.e., ISAC 750 (A), ISAC 850 (B) &
ISAC 950 (C)) and Norit (D) at 10 mV s.sup.-1, again clearly
demonstrating the superior charge storage capability of ISACs. FIG.
6O shows the CV profiles of ISAC 850 at various scan rates. FIGS.
6P & 6Q show the galvanostatic data of ISAC 850 at various
current densities. As shown in FIG. 6P, the rate capability of ISAC
750 is inferior to that of ISAC 850, which is due to its lower
mesopore content. FIG. 6K shows the Ragone chart for the three
ISACs and for Norit when tested in KOH. At every power value
tested, the specific energy of ISACs is more than twice of Norit,
fully agreeing with the trends in the specific capacitance rate
data. Even with the narrow 1.0 V window necessitated by KOH, the
specific energy of ISAC 850 is solid, being in the 10 Wh kg.sup.-1
range (by active mass) at intermediate powers.
[0066] FIG. 6L shows the capacitance retention data, tested to
75,000 cycles at a rate of 25 A g.sup.-1 , with the initial
C.sub.c=247 F g.sup.-1. It is quite uncommon to be able to cycle a
carbon or an oxide in such a basic electrolyte (6M KOH) over twenty
thousand times without significant degradation. However, in one
embodiment, 75,000 charge-discharge cycles with 80% capacitance
retention were achieved. This confirms an essential advantage of
employing a high performance carbon that works primarily by EDLC;
one does not have to worry about the redox active surface
functional groups being corroded away or inactivated by repeated
anodic-cathodic cycling.
[0067] Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was employed to
further investigate the electrochemical performance if ISACs in a
two electrode configuration. Tests were performed both in KOH and
Li.sub.2SO.sub.4. The KOH results are shown in FIG. 6M. EIS
demonstrates that all ISACs possess somewhat lower charge transfer
resistances as compared to commercial Norit. For activated carbons
employed for supercapacitor applications, differences in the charge
transfer resistances have been attributed to pore tortuosity.
Overall the values for charge transfer resistance (R.sub.ct) as
tested in 6M KOH are all low: The values are 0.294.OMEGA. for ISAC
750, 0.267.OMEGA. for ISAC 850, 0.362.OMEGA. for ISAC 950, and
0.342.OMEGA. for Norit, indicating the excellent electrolyte
wettability on the carbon surfaces. The onset frequency
(.quadrature..sub.onset) is defined as the highest frequency where
the impedance of electrode is dominated by capacitive behavior,
i.e. the Nyquist plot is vertical. It reflects the transition from
capacitive behavior to diffusion-controlled processes, with higher
frequency values being desired. As indicated in Table 3, the onset
frequency of ISACs increases in the same order as their mesopore
content.
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy
analysis obtained from 6M KOH and 1M Li.sub.2SO.sub.4 electrolyte,
symmetrical two-electrode configurations Samples R.sub.ohm.sup.a
(.OMEGA.) R.sub.ct.sup.b (.OMEGA.) R.sub.diff.sup.c (.OMEGA.)
ESR.sup.d (.OMEGA.) .nu..sub.onset.sup.e (HZ) 2-Electrode EIS in 6M
KOH ISAC 750 0.126 0.294 0.092 0.512 3.971 ISAC 850 0.091 0.267
0.051 0.409 5.000 ISAC 950 0.117 0.362 0.080 0.558 3.971 Norit
0.123 0.342 0.292 0.757 3.154 2-Electrode EIS in 1M
Li.sub.2SO.sub.4 ISAC 750 0.714 2.391 0.739 3.844 0.500 ISAC 850
0.465 1.702 0.655 2.822 0.792 ISAC 950 0.623 2.547 0.751 3.921
0.792 Norit 0.425 5.475 9.618 15.518 0.199 .sup.aOhmic resistance
.sup.bCharge transfer resistance .sup.cWarburg impedance
.sup.dEquivalent series resistance .sup.eOnset frequency
[0068] The onset frequency for ISAC 750, ISAC 850, ISAC 950 is
3.971 Hz, 5.000 Hz, and 3.971 Hz respectively. Due to the lower
mesopore fraction in Norit, its .quadrature..sub.onset
substantially lower at 3.154 Hz. The carbons' equivalent series
resistance (R.sub.es) may be directly obtained from the Nyquist
plot as well. R.sub.es is the sum of its ohmic resistance (highest
frequency intercept of abscissa), its charge transfer resistance
(diameter of the semicircle) and its diffusional resistance (length
of the Warburg line). R.sub.es may be obtained by extrapolating the
pure capacitive portion of the Nyquist plot down to the abscissa,
which effectively winds up being the resistance at the onset
frequency. For the comparison of ISACs with Norit, R.sub.es is
highly useful as its differences stem mostly from the variation in
ion diffusional resistance within the pores. The ISACs all possess
comparable R.sub.es, which are in the 0.4-0.6 Ohm range, whereas
Norit is higher at 0.8 Ohms.
[0069] FIGS. 7A-7I show the electrochemical properties of a
symmetrical two-electrode cell tested in 1M Li.sub.2SO.sub.4
electrolyte and a stable 1.8V window. FIG. 7G shows the CVs of
ISACs and Norit, tested as a scan rate of 10 mV s.sup.-1. FIG. 7H
shows the CV curves of ISAC 850 through a range of scan rates,
including the very fast 200 mV s.sup.-1. FIG. 7A provides a
comparison of the galvanostatic curves for ISACs and Norit, tested
at 2 A g.sup.-1, while FIG. 7B shows ISAC 850 at various current
densities. FIG. 7C demonstrates the Nyquist plots of ISACs and
Norit tested over a frequency range of 50 kHz-25 mHz (for instance,
at 10 mV RMS amplitude and 5 mV s.sup.-1 scan rate), and as
presented in Table 3. The CV, galvanostatic and EIS trends are
quite analogous to what was measured with KOH: While all ISACs are
substantially superior to Norit, the 850 carbons demonstrate the
optimum combination of electrochemically active surface area and
mesoporosity, leading to the overall most favorable capacitance
values at all rates. The Li.sub.2SO.sub.4 EIS results show
comparable behavior to KOH: Overall the values for charge transfer
resistance (R.sub.ct) are 2.391.OMEGA. for ISAC 750, 1.702.OMEGA.
for ISAC 850, 2.547.OMEGA. for ISAC 950, and 5.475.OMEGA. for
Norit, indicating suggesting a reduced electrolyte wettability on
the carbon surfaces. Again from Table 3, the onset frequency of
ISACs increases in the same order as their mesopore content. The
onset frequency for ISAC 750, ISAC 850, and ISAC 950 is 0.500 Hz,
0.792 Hz, and 0.792 Hz respectively. Due to the lower mesopore
fraction in Norit, its .quadrature..sub.onset substantially lower
at 0.199 Hz. The ISACs all possess comparable R.sub.es in 1M
Li.sub.2SO.sub.4, which are in the 3-4 Ohm range, whereas Norit is
substantially higher at >15 Ohms. As FIG. 6M demonstrates the
fraction of capacitance retention with increasing charge rate is
analogous for ISAC 850 and ISAC 950. This is expected as both
materials possess extensive mesoporosity, at higher relative
fractions than ISAC 750 or Norit. However since the total
electrochemically active surface area of ISAC 850 is the highest,
so is the overall capacity at each scan rate. Comparing ISAC 850
and ISAC 750 illustrates the utility of micropores even at
extremely high scan rates, as long as there is sufficient
mesoporosity to allow facile ion access. FIG. 7E shows the Ragone
chart data. With the 1.8V window, the energy density of symmetric
supercapacitor cells employing ISACs are very favorable. ISAC 850
in particular demonstrates the best energy values through the
entire power spectrum. Because of the pore structure, it is able to
operate at much higher specific powers than Norit, surpassing 8 kW
kg.sup.-1 by active mass. At intermediate power values, energies of
30-40 Wh kg.sup.-1 are achieved, making the system competitive with
hybrid supercapacitors with an oxide cathode. When near commercial
mass loadings, a denominator of 4 may be used to extrapolate the
energy-power density of a device (considering all components of the
packaged cell). Thus the estimated energy density of our device is
8-10 Wh kg.sup.-1. That is on par with what is listed for
state-of-the-art commercial organic electrolyte cells, which are
6-7 Wh kg.sup.-1 for battery type cells. An ISAC 850 based
Li.sub.2SO.sub.4 cell also shows cyclability that is truly
exceptional. As FIG. 7F illustrates, 100,000 full charge discharge
cycles with 80% capacity retention were acheived. The cell was
cycled at 15 A g.sup.-1 with an initial C.sub.c=177 F g.sup.-1.
Such stability would be impossible to achieve in a redox active
heteroatom-rich or otherwise surface functionalized carbon.
Material Synthesis
[0070] The precursor, non-fat powdered milk was purchased
commercially and employed in the as-received condition. To
stabilize and preserve the intermediate 3-D structure (described in
main text) the precursor underwent a low temperature partial
pyrolysis treatment at 450.degree. C. for two hours, in a
horizontal tube furnace under inert flowing argon. The resultant
carbon was ground together with KOH (85% pure, balance water) in a
ratio of 1 part carbon to 3 parts active KOH. The blend then
underwent a heat treatment of 750.degree. C., 850.degree. C., or
950.degree. C. for two hours under argon. The final activated
product, Immense Surface Area Carbon (ISAC), was obtained by
cleaning through acidification of the caustic product through three
successive steps in 6M HCl, each time followed by vacuum
filtration. A final rinse with deionized water was completed in
triplicate in the same manner, followed by drying at 110.degree. C.
in a convection oven overnight. The specimens are labeled "ISAC
750", "ISAC 850" and "ISAC 950", depending on the temperature of
the activation process. A commercially purchased advanced
electrode-grade activated carbon (NORIT.RTM. A SUPRA) was employed
as a baseline, and is heretofore referred to as "Norit". As an
additional baseline comparison carbon, a ground precursor-KOH
sample was processed identically at 850.degree. C. but without a
prior 450.degree. C. stabilization heat treatment.
Material Characterization
[0071] The morphology and structure of the porous carbon materials
were examined by scanning electron microscopy and transmission
electron microscopy. Nitrogen adsorption and desorption isotherms
were measured with a Quantachrome Autosorb IQ automated gas
sorption analyzer at 77K. Surface area results were determined
using the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) method. The pore size
distribution plots were obtained based on the non-local density
functional theory (NLDFT) using nitrogen adsorption data and slit
micropore/cylindrical mesopore geometry model. Powder X-ray
diffraction (XRD) was performed on a Bruker D2 Phaser x-ray
diffraction instrument with Cu K.alpha. radiation.
Electrochemical Evaluation
[0072] The electrochemical performance of ISAC carbons were
investigated using a 3-electrode cell configuration and device
performance was characterized in a 2-electrode symmetric cell
configuration. Working electrodes for both the 2-electrode and
3-electrode cells were prepared by making a slurry of 80% active
material, 10% carbon black (Super P) and 10% PVDF binder in
N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP) solvent. The slurry was drop cast onto
the nickel foam and then dried at 110.degree. C. overnight in a
convection oven. Each working electrode had a mass loading of
approximately 10 mg cm.sup.-2. In 3-electrode configuration, the
working electrodes were tested with graphite rod counter electrodes
and Hg/HgO reference electrodes in 6M KOH electrolyte. For
electrochemical analyses in the symmetric cell, two electrodes were
placed face-to-face and tested in 6M KOH or 1M Li.sub.2SO.sub.4.
Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in a three electrode
configuration was carried out over a frequency range of 50 kHz-25
mHz with a voltage amplitude of 10 mV RMS. Cyclic voltammetry,
galvanostatic charge/discharge cycling, and impedance analysis were
all performed using Versastat 3 and Versastat 4 single channel
potentiostats, as well as Parstat MC (eight channel chassis)
potentiostats from Princeton Applied Research.
[0073] The galvanostatic specific capacitance C.sub.g (F g.sup.-1)
was determined according to
C g = I ( dV / dt ) m ##EQU00001##
where I is the current (A), dV/dt is the slope of the discharge
curve (V s.sup.-1) excluding the IR drop region, and m is the
active mass in the electrode. For the two-electrode system, the
cell capacitance (C.sub.c (F g.sup.-1)) was calculated likewise,
except that m is the combined active mass in both electrodes. The
specific energy (E, Wh kg.sup.-1) and specific power (P, W
kg.sup.-1) values were calculated from the galvanostatic data of
the two electrode cell, with the voltage windows used in the
calculation accounting for the IR drops.
[0074] In an enhanced embodiment, the structurally-modified
activated carbon materials (ISACs) disclosed herein may be utilized
in a variety of energy-storage devices, such as, a combined
battery-supercapacitor energy storage device (also called
supercapattery or batpacitor), and an ion energy storage device, as
an anode (e.g., in a half-cell), a cathode (e.g., in a half-cell)
or both (in a full-cell). By way of example, the
structurally-modified activated carbon materials may be used as
electrodes, such as, for instance, an anode, a cathode, as any
other supporting material (i.e., secondary addition), etc., for
use, for instance, with a variety of energy storage applications,
such as, battery, supercapacitor, batpacitor and the like.
[0075] In yet another embodiment, the structurally-modified
activated carbon materials (ISACs) may be used in any device
employing standard or research-grade secondary or primary battery
or supercapacitor or combination of thereof utilizing electrolytes,
such as, organic electrolytes (e.g., ethylene carbonate, (EC),
diethyl carbonate (DEC), dimethyl carbonate (DMC), acetonitrile
(CH.sub.3CN), propylene carbonate, tetrahydrofuran,
.gamma.-butyrolactone, and solutions with quaternary ammonium salts
or alkyl ammonium salts, such as, tetraethylammonium
tetrafluoroborate), ionic liquid electrolytes, aqueous electrolytes
(e.g., aqueous KOH, aqueous H.sub.2SO.sub.4, Li.sub.2SO.sub.4,
Na.sub.2SO.sub.4) and the like. By way of example, in such energy
storage devices, the structurally-modified activated carbon
material may be undoped carbon material. Further, the
structurally-modified activated carbon materials (ISACs) may be
utilized in any of the energy storage devices that employ charge
transfer ions, such as, ions of lithium (Li), sodium (Na),
potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), aluminum (Al),
hydrogen (H), hydroxide (OH), any of the associated negative
counter ions, such as, ClO.sub.4.sup.-, PF.sub.6.sup.- or any
combinations of thereof. In some embodiments, the energy storage
device employs only ions in the electrolyte and/or metal source
added to one or both electrodes.
[0076] In yet another embodiment, the structurally-modified
activated carbon materials (ISACs) disclosed herein may be utilized
in a variety of energy-storage devices, for instance, as an anode,
where the cathode may be selected from a group consisting of a
lithium iron phosphate (LFP), a nickel cobalt aluminum (NCA), a
nickel manganese cobalt (NMC), a lithium cobalt oxide (LCO), and a
ceramic positive electrode. Alternatively, the
structurally-modified activated carbon materials (ISACs) disclosed
herein may also be used a cathode, where the anode may be selected
from a group consisting of an oxide-based anode, a lithiated tin
anode, a lithium metal anode, a sulfur-based anode, a selenium
anode, a graphite anode, an activated carbon anode, a graphene
anode, a silicon anode, a tin anode, an alloy anode, an oxide
anode, a sulfide anode, a nitride anode, and a negative
electrode.
[0077] Still further, the structurally-modified activated carbon
materials (ISACs) disclosed herein may be utilized in a
energy-storage device, such as, electrochemical capacitor, primary
or secondary battery, a flow battery, a dionization capacitor, a
supercapattery, and other energy storage system based on ions that
are reversibly or irreversibly stored at a positive electrode and a
negative electrode, having a housing that conforms to standardized
battery dimensions. In a one example, the standardized battery
dimensions may be, or may include, for instance, cylindrical cells
of 18.6 diameter.times.65.2 length, prismatic pouch cells of a
range of sizes, automotive lead-acid battery scale cells that are
rectangular, D-cell dimensions such as, 32.5.times.61.5 mm, etc. By
way of example, the batpacitor may be disposed in the housing and
electrically coupled to the housing. The housing may include a form
factor of a pouch cell battery, a rectangular automotive started
battery scale cell, D-cell sized battery, a C-cell sized battery,
an AA-cell sized battery, an AAA-cell sized battery, a 18650
lithium ion battery, or a 26650 lithium ion battery, such that the
energy storage device may take the form of a commercial
battery.
[0078] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of
the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and
"the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood
that the terms "comprise" (and any form of comprise, such as
"comprises" and "comprising"), "have" (and any form of have, such
as, "has" and "having"), "include" (and any form of include, such
as "includes" and "including"), and "contain" (any form of contain,
such as "contains" and "containing") are open-ended linking verbs.
As a result, a method or device that "comprises", "has", "includes"
or "contains" one or more steps or elements. Likewise, a step of
method or an element of a device that "comprises", "has",
"includes" or "contains" one or more features possesses those one
or more features, but is not limited to possessing only those one
or more features. Furthermore, a device or structure that is
configured in a certain way is configured in at least that way, but
may also be configured in ways that are not listed.
[0079] The corresponding structures, materials, acts and
equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the
claims below, if any, are intended to include any structure,
material or act for performing the function in combination with
other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of
the present invention has been presented for purposes of
illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive
or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many
modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary
skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the
invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best
explain the principles of one or more aspects of the invention and
the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill
in the art to understand one or more aspects of the present
invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are
suited to the particular use contemplated.
* * * * *