Porous carbon derived from K2B4O7 and phytic acid-modified cellulose for supercapacitors

Herein, B, P co-doped porous carbon (PC BP ) was prepared from K 2 B 4 O 7 and phytic acid-modified cellulose via chemical activation and used as electrode materials for supercapacitors. Of which, K 2 B 4 O 7 not only acts as a source of boron, but also as an activation agent in the process of activation. The electrochemical properties of porous carbon materials were significantly improved by doping P and B. Compared with the porous carbon doped by B, PC BP shows almost higher specific capacitance and better rate performance. When evaluated as supercapacitor electrode materials in 6 M KOH electrolyte under two-electrode test systems, the as-prepared PC BP exhibits an excellent electrochemical performance: a high specific capacitance of 214 F g −1 at 0.05 A g −1 , a good rate capability of 142 F g −1 at 20 A g −1 and 2.7% capacitance loss after 10,000 cycles. Thus, the co-doping of B and P holds great promise for improving the specific capacitance and rate capability, which is attributed to the synergistic effect of B and P co-doped. Graphical abstract