The electrochemical properties of templated and activated mesoporous carbons produced from coal pitch

Mesoporous carbons (MCs) were made from coal pitch derived from coal liquefaction residue with silica nanoparticles as template and CO2 as activation agent. The microstructure and electrochemical properties of the MCs were investigated with TEM, N-2 adsorption, an electrochemical workstation and a Land battery test system. Results show that the specific surface area increases with activation time at 900 degrees C under a CO2 flow rate of 100 mL.min(-1). The specific surface area of MC activated for 150 min is 1360 m(2).g(-1) while that of the un-activated one is 722 m(2).g(-1). The specific capacitance of the MC activated for 150 min is 135 F.g(-1) at a current density of 1000 mA.g(-1) and the decrease in its specific capacitance is 7% after being charged and discharged 10000 times.