Tailored porosity development in carbons via Zn2+ monodispersion: Fitting supercapacitors

Abstract

Here, we propose a novel, electrochemical preparation of in situ N-doped alginate-based carbon precursors with monodispersed zinc ions. Obtained carbons were evaluated by spectroscopic (FTIR, Raman and XPS), textural (N2 physisorption), microscopic (TEM) and elemental (SEM-EDS) descriptors to establish their distinctive fea- tures originating from different synthetic procedures. Carbons characteristics were assessed in view of several carbonization temperatures applied for their preparation from alginate precursors, and individual and joint effect of zinc and nitrogen on the precursor. Obtained Zn monodispersion, emphasizes the significance of electro- chemical preparation, allowing increasing temperature to induce changes from its ionic form to carbonate and oxide, while at 800 ◦C ZnO further reduces and evaporates. Since homogeneously dispersed Zn species acts as porosity evolving agent during carbonization, a substantial surface area is developed, in the range 718–1056 m2 g