Nitrogen and sulfur codoped porous carbon microsphere: a high performance electrode in supercapacitor

Abtract Nitrogen and sulfur codoped porous carbon microspheres (NS-PCMSs) with superior electrochemical performance for supercapacitors were successfully fabricated using sublimed sulfur, thiourea and TMTD as different sulfur source by a solvothermal method . The transmission electron microscopy(TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Raman spectroscopy indicate the obtained NS-PCMSs have uniform morphology and partially graphitic structure. The N 2 adsorption-desorption analysis reveal that all the NS-PCMSs have the hierarchical pore structure and relatively lower specific surface area (397.4–413.8   m 2   g -1 ). The results of the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) demonstrated that the nitrogen and sulfur successfully incorporated into the carbon frameworks. Electrochemical tests show NS-PCMSs present the superior specific capacitance (242–295 Fg -1   at 0.1   A   g -1 ), outstanding rate capability (the specific capacitance at 10   A   g -1 were 216–247   F   g -1 ,respectively) and excellent cyclic stability (almost no attenuation after 10000 cycles). This study provides that the NS-PCMSs have huge application potential to be one of the splendid supercapacitor electrode materials .