Nonwoven mats of carbon nanofibers derived from electrospun polymer precursors were used as freestanding and binder-free electrodes for high energy density supercapacitors. In this study, high free volume precursor polymers including 2,2-bis (3,4-dicarboxyphenyl) hexafluoropropane dianhydride (6FDA)-based polyimides and polymers of intrinsic microporosity (PIMs) were employed. The inherent high free volume in the precursor polymer nanofibers could be translated into high surface area (>500 m2/g) carbon nanofibers upon pyrolysis, circumventing the need for additives such as sacrificial polymers or porogens. Their surface area was further improved by steam activation, rising to ~1200 m2/g. These mats were directly employed as electrodes in a coin cells using ionic liquid electrolyte. Electrochemical tests including cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge/discharge tests gave energy (power) densities of 60-80 Wh/kg (1-2 kW/kg) at 1 A/g and 40-50 Wh/kg (8-10 kW/kg) even discharge rates as high as 5 A/g.

Energy storage devices utilizing carbon nanofibers derived from electrospun high free volume polymer precursors

245th National Meeting (2013)

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