Pore Size Independent Particle Size Control of Mesoporous N‐doped Carbon Nanospheres for 3D Bottom‐Up Electrode Design
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: The rational design of electrodes is crucial for improving electrochemical energy storage and conversion devices. High‐performance devices require porous carbon electrodes with controlled intraparticle properties — such as morphology, size, porosity, elemental composition, and graphitic microstructure — and interparticle features like electrode‐level porosity, percolation pathways, and tortuosity, that influence mass transport. Here, mesoporous N‐doped carbon (MPNC) nanospheres with independently tunable particle size at a fixed pore size is reported. Extending the previously established synthesis toolbox, independent control over particle and pore sizes is demonstrated. Using a 9 nm SiO 2 hard template, particle sizes between 50 and 300 nm is adjusted while maintaining comparable physicochemical properties. These MPNC nanospheres are evaluated as supercapacitor electrodes in coin cells using 1.0 m LiPF 6 in EC/DEC as electrolyte. The highest specific capacitance — 67 F g −1 at 0.1 A g −1 — is obtained with the largest particles, attributed to reduced tortuosity and improved electrode percolation. As all samples exhibited similar surface areas (≈950 m 2 g −1 ), performance differences highlight particle size‐dependent diffusion limitations. This study establishes a bottom‐up approach for engineering electrode architectures, enabling independent control of pore and particle sizes of MPNC nanospheres and providing a platform to systematically investigate their effects on electrochemical performance.
Source: Small
Authors: Niklas Ortlieb, María B. Camarada, Olivia Basu, Hafiz M. N. Amin, S. Esmael Balaghi, Anna Fischer
Institution: University of Freiburg
Language: English
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $5,790
Awards: G1125818595, G149124214, G2788535355, G3337439989, Verbundvorhaben CORAL-HD: CATALYST OPTIMIZATION RESEARCH FOR STABLE ACTIVITY OVER LIFE-TIME IN HEAVY DUTY FUEL CELLS - Katalysator-Optimierungs-Vorhaben für stabile Aktivität über die Lebensdauer in Nutzfahrzeug-Brennstoffzellen, G4633751593, G5090764095, G5466434173, G5504092000, EXC 2193: Lebende, adaptive und energieautonome Materialsysteme (livMatS)
OpenAlex ID: W4416816643