N, P-codoped porous carbon derived from chitosan with hierarchical N-enriched structure and ultra-high specific surface Area toward high-performance supercapacitors

Abstract In this work, a facile “carbonization-activation” strategy is developed to synthesize N, P-codoped hierarchical porous carbon. Phosphoric acid is innovatively introduced during the hydrothermal process to achieve in-situ P doping as well as create abundant pores, and the employment of sodamide is of vital importance to simultaneously serve as activating agent and N-source to succeed a high-level N doping. Thus, the obtained samples exhibit a unique three-dimensional hierarchical structure with an ultra-high specific surface area (3646 m2 g−1) and ultra-high N-doping level (9.81 at.%). Computational analyses confirm that N, P co-doping and higher N content can enhance active sites and widen potential differences of carbon materials to improve their capacitance. The as-prepared carbon materials demonstrate superior electrochemical performances, such as an ultra-high capacitance of 586 F g−1 at 1 A g−1, a superior rate capability of 409 F g−1 at 20 A g−1, and excellent long-term stability of 97 % capacitance retention after 10,000 cycles in 6 M KOH. Moreover, an assembled symmetric supercapacitor delivers a high energy density of 28.1 Wh kg−1 at the power density of 450 W kg−1 in 1 M Na2SO4, demonstrating a great potential for applications in supercapacitors.