Activation of carbide-derived carbons: a route to materials with enhanced gas and energy storage properties

Abstract

Thermal halogenation of a wide range of metal carbides provides a simple route to a class of so-called carbide-derived carbon (CDC) materials. The porosity of the CDCs, which is mainly in the microporous regime, may be modulated by the choice of metal carbide precursor and halogenation temperature. However, although the pore size of CDCs can be fine-tuned by the choice of synthesis process, the maximum surface area achieved is only up to 2500 m² g⁻¹, which limits their use in gas storage or in electrochemical capacitor applications that require larger surface areas. The article is focussed on what has and can be done to enhance the textural properties of CDCs via further post-synthesis treatments and the ramifications of such modifications on their gas/energy storage capacity. The main developments in physical and chemical activation of CDCs and consequences on gas and energy storage are summarised.