Effect of Adding Microwave Absorber on Structures and Properties of Hypercoal-Based Activated Carbons

Using lignite-based hypercoal as raw material, KOH as activator and CuO as microwave absorber, we prepared hypercoal-based activated carbons by microwave-assisted activation. The pore structure and the electrochemical performance of the activated carbons were tested, and the effects of adding CuO in the activation reaction process were also investigated. The activated carbons prepared were characterized by nitrogen adsorption-desorption, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The specific surface area and mesoporous ratio of the hypercoal-based activated carbon are 1 257 m 2 /g and 55.4%, respectively. When the activated carbons are used as the electrode materials, the specific capacitance reaches 309 F/g in 3 M KOH electrolyte. In comparison with those prepared without CuO absorber, the specific capacitance increases by 11.6%. It was proved that the addition of microwave absorber in microwave-assisted activation was a low-cost method for rapidly preparing activated carbon, and it could effectively promote the development of the pore structure and improve its electrochemical performance.