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The combination of multiple electrode materials and their reasonable structural design are conducive to the preparation of composite electrodes with excellent performance. In this study, based on carbon nanofibers grown with Ni(OH)2 and NiO (CHO) prepared by electrospinning, hydrothermal growth, and low-temperature carbonization, five transition metal sulfides (MnS, CoS, FeS, CuS, and NiS) were hydrothermally grown on their surfaces, exhibiting that CHO/NiS had the optimal electrochemical properties. Subsequently, the effect of hydrothermal growth time on CHO/NiS revealed that the electrochemical performance of CHO/NiS-3h was optimal, with a specific capacitance of up to 1717 F g−1 (1 A g−1), due to its multistage core–shell structure. Moreover, the diffusion-controlled process of CHO/NiS-3h dominated its charge energy storage mechanism. Finally, the asymmetric supercapacitor assembled with CHO/NiS-3h as the positive electrode demonstrated an energy density of 27.76 Wh kg−1 at a maximum power density of 4000 W kg−1, and it still maintained a power density of 800 W kg−1 at a maximum energy density of 37.97 Wh kg−1, exhibiting the potential application of multistage core–shell composite materials in high-performance supercapacitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we proposed the synthesis of CoFe nanoparticles (NPs) which have been deposited on carbon nanofibers (CNFs) with a facile electrospinning route followed by thermal reduction. The performance of obtained CNF supercapacitors are improved from 51 to 190 F/g (247 mF/cm2) at 0.5 A/g with the combination of CoFe NPs and graphitized carbon layers The device possessed an energy and power density of 6.6 Wh/kg and 125 W/kg, respectively. Furthermore, the capacitance retention can still maintain about 96.6% after 10,000 cycle test and it is worth noting that the cycling stability is ultrahigh. This research proves that bimetallic nanoparticles embedded in CNFs can elucidate new insights into the development new nanofiber electrode materials for the next generation of symmetric supercapacitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• N-doped porous carbon nanofibers are synthesized via a simple hydrothermal method. • Carbon nanofibers are derived from their phenolic-resin-based analogues. • The mechanism underlying is proposed in the viewpoint of micelle evolvement. • N-doped carbon as electrode material offers superior electrochemical performance. Carbon nanofibers (CNFs), possessing high electrical conductance and facilitating fast electron transfer due to 1D structure, attract more research interests in the field of energy storage/conversion. It is highly desirable to develop a simple synthetic approach to prepare high quality CNFs for high efficient electrode material. Herein, a facile method is developed to prepare nitrogen-doped porous CNFs with high aspect ratio by direct pyrolysis of phenolic-resin-based precursors which are synthesized via a simple hydrothermal approach. After activation by KOH, the nitrogen-doped porous CNFs demonstrate a high surface area up to 1814.1 m2/g thereby offering a high capacitance while working as the electrode material assembled in a supercapacitor. The activated CNFs as electrode material present a high specific capacitance of 333.5F g−1 at a current density of 0.5 A g−1 in a three-electrode cell. After 10,000 cycles of charge–discharge tests at 5A g−1, the decay in specific capacitance is only 3.7 %, indicating a high reversibility. Also, the tests in a two electrode system show a high energy density of 8.6 Wh kg−1 at a power density of 25 W kg−1. Therefore, the nitrogen-doped CNFs derived from its phenolic-resin-based precursor hold a promise for an efficient electrode material in supercapacitor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highly porous carbon electrodes for supercapacitors with high energy storage performance were prepared by using a new precursor blend of aromatic polyimide (PI) and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). Supercapacitor electrodes were prepared through the electrospinning and thermal treatment of the precursor blends of aromatic PI and PVDF. Microstructures of the carbonized PI/PVDF nanofibers were studied using Raman spectroscopy. Nitrogen adsorption/desorption measurements confirmed their high surface area and porosity, which is critical for supercapacitor performance. Energy storage performance was investigated and carbonized PI/PVDF showed a high specific capacitance of 283 F/g at 10 mV/s (37% higher than that of PI) and an energy density of 11.3 Wh/kg at 0.5 A/g (27% higher than that of PI) with high cycling stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tailoring the chemical structures of a precursor polymer for carbon nanofibers (CNFs) produced by thermal treatment of electrospun nanofibers was studied to prepare the electrodes for electrochemical double layer capacitors (EDLCs). To improve energy storage performance of CNF electrodes, 6FDA-durene nanofibers were crosslinked by a vapor crosslinking method, and subsequently carbonized. Chemical modification via crosslinking was confirmed by FTIR spectra while the conversion of crosslinked 6FDA-durene into carbon was done by Raman spectroscopy. Electrochemical performance of these CNF electrodes was evaluated by assembling coin cells, and the CNFs derived from crosslinked 6FDA-durene nanofibers showed higher specific capacitances, energy densities and cycling stability than those from non-crosslinked ones. It was also shown that CNFs prepared using 1 min crosslinking exhibit the highest energy storage performances, a specific capacitance of 301 F g−1 (at 10 mV s−1), and the maximum energy density of 11.1 Wh kg−1 (at 0.5 A g−1) and power density of 1.8 kW kg−1 (at 6 A g−1). Surface area and porosity of CNFs, which is critical for the performance of EDLC electrodes, were studied by nitrogen adsorption/desorption measurements, and it was clearly seen that surface crosslinking of precursor polymers improved surface properties of the resultant CNFs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lignin was blended with polyacrylonitrile (PAN) in different ratios and fabricated into carbon nanofiber electrodes by electrospinning followed by thermal stabilization, carbonization and subsequent activation by CO2 of the carbonized mats. These carbon fiber electrodes exhibit high surface area, high mesoporosity, high graphitic content and high electrical conductivity. Activated carbon nanofiber mats derived from PAN:Lignin 70:30 blends display a surface area of 2370 m2 g−1 with 0.635 cm3 g−1 mesopore volume. These results are due to the selective partial removal of carbonized lignin during the activation step. Coin cell supercapacitors employing these electrodes exhibit 128 Fg−1 specific capacitance, 59 Wh kg−1 energy density and a 15 kW kg−1 power density when operated at 3.5 V using an ionic liquid electrolyte. Since lignin is an inexpensive, abundant, and green polymer, incorporating it into carbon blends enhances the scalability of such materials in energy storage applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]