Mesoporous Carbon Nanorod from Direct Templating Method and Its Application to Electric Double-layer Capacitor (EDLC) Electrodes

Using the self-assembly reaction between cationic surfactant and silicate solution, a direct templating method was investigated. After the addition of resorcinol and formaldehyde into the solution, the polymerization reaction was conducted and surfactant/silicate/polymer nanocomposite was prepared. After carbonization and following hydrofluoric acid etching, mesoporous carbon nanorod (MPCNR) particles were prepared. As-prepared material was applied into electrode in electric double-layer capacitors and various electrochemical analysis was carried out using the electrodes. Due to the well-developed mesoporosity and nanosized rod particles, a highly improved rate performance (low resistance in pores) and large double layer capacitance per area (17.4 μF cm-2) than the commercialized activated carbon electrode were observed, which was attributed to easy penetration through mesopores and optimized pore length for electrolyte transport.