Hybrid Particle Size Template Method for Controllable Synthesis of Nitrogen‐Doped Multilevel Porous Carbon as High‐Rate Zn‐Ion Hybrid Supercapacitor Cathode Materials
Yanfeng Gao, Shaopei Jia, Xiaofei Ma, Yunfei Cao, Quan Huang, Qian Zhang, Yanjie Wang, Meng Song, Zhixin Wang, Hailong Hu, Jingxuan Chen, Yunchao Mu
Abstract
Abstract Achieving high rate performance without compromising energy density has always been a critical objective for zinc‐ion hybrid supercapacitors (ZHSCs). The pore structure and surface properties of carbon cathode materials play a crucial role. We propose utilizing a hybrid particle size (20 and 40 nm) magnesium oxide templates to regulate the pore structure of nitrogen‐doped porous carbon derived from the soybean isolate. The multilevel pore structure enhanced ion transport efficiency while also improving the utilization of micropores. Nitrogen doping and oxygen‐containing functional groups enhanced the wettability of carbon materials with aqueous electrolytes and facilitated the chemisorption of Zn 2+ on the carbon material surface. The nitrogen‐doped multilevel porous carbon material (HT‐NMPC‐1/1) prepared with a 1 : 1 mass ratio of the two templates exhibited a specific capacity of 146.65 mAh g −1 at 0.2 A g −1 . Moreover, the Swagelok cells assembled with HT‐NMPC‐1/1 and Zn foil achieved a high energy density of 121.5 W h kg −1 , high power output of 166 W kg −1 , and 93.09 % capacity retention after 8000 cycles at 2 A g −1 . Therefore, HT‐NMPC‐1/1 is a highly promising candidate for ZHSCs cathode materials. Furthermore, the novel pore regulation strategy and straightforward preparation method offer valuable reference points for other porous carbon‐based functional materials.