The Polymer Society of Korea

Abstract

In supercapacitor electrodes, carbon-based materials with hierarchical porous structures have high specific capacitance. In this study, hierarchical porous carbons (HPCs) were fabricated through the following process. First, a W/O type polyHIPE was fabricated by polymerizing a high internal phase emulsion of a divinylbenzene phase and a TiO₂-dispersed aqueous phase. Then, the polyHIPE was sulfonated to maintain the pore structure during the high-temperature process. Finally, the foam was carbonized after urea treatment and KOH activation to enhance the electrical conductivity through heteroatom doping and form micropores and mesopores. HPCs have excellent power density and energy density due to the rapid movement of electrolyte ions and high specific surface area. After fabricating a supercapacitor electrode using a slurry composed of HPC, a conductive agent, and a binder, various electrochemical performances such as CV, GCD, and EIS were evaluated through three-electrode tests.