Cellulose Framework Directed Construction of Hierarchically Porous Carbons Offering High-Performance Capacitive Deionization of Brackish Water

Abstract

We demonstrate a cellulose-templating method for synthesizing a hierarchically porous carbon electrode that is capable of high-performance capacitive deionization (CDI). Hierarchically porous carbons (denoted as HPC-X, X = 500-900°C) of an exceptionally high surface area up to 2535 m2 g-1 and wide-range pore size distribution (macro-, meso-, and micropores) were obtained via the pyrolysis of macroporous cellulose fibrous-templated resorcinol-formaldehyde-triaminopyrimidine (RF-TPF) polymers. The improved electrosorption performance of HPC-800 electrode can be ascribed to the enhanced specific surface area, favorable hierarchical structure, and excellent capacitive electric double layer behaviors.