Materials Research Bulletin 50 (2014) 240–245

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Materials Research Bulletin

j o u r n a l h o m e p a g e : w w w. e l s e v i e r. c o m / l o c a t e / m a t r e s b u

Activated carbon aerogel containing graphene as electrode material for

supercapacitor
Yoon Jae Lee a, Gil-Pyo Kim a, Yongju Bang a, Jongheop Yi a, Jeong Gil Seo b,*, In Kyu Song a,
**
a
School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Institute of Chemical Processes, Seoul National University, Shinlim-dong, Kwanak-ku, Seoul 151-744,
South Korea
b
Department of Environmental Engineering and Energy, Myongji University, Gyeonggi-do 449-728, South Korea

A R T I C L E I N F O A B S T R A C T

Article history:
Resorcinol–formaldehyde aerogel containing graphene oxide (RFGO) was prepared by a sol–gel
Received 3 September 2013
polymerization of resorcinol with formaldehyde using polyethyleneimine (PEI)-modified graphene
Received in revised form 30 October 2013
Accepted 5 November 2013
oxide, and activated carbon aerogel containing graphene (ACAG) was then prepared by a chemical
activation with K2 CO3 . For comparison, graphene-free activated carbon aerogel (ACA) was prepared by
Available online 12 November 2013
the same method using graphene oxide-free resorcinol–formaldehyde aerogel. Non-activated carbon
aerogel (CA) was also prepared. BET surface area and pore volume of ACA and ACAG were remarkably
Keywords:
enhanced with well-developed porous structure compared to those of CA. Electrochemical performance
A. Composites
of CA, ACA, and ACAG electrodes were measured by cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge/
A. Microporous materials
A. Nanostructure discharge methods. ACAG showed higher specific capacitance than ACA with excellent supercapacitive
B. Sol–gel chemistry behavior (300 F/g vs. 271 F/g). Equivalent series resistance (ESR) of ACAG (0.40 V) was smaller than
D. Energy storage that
of ACA (0.57 V). The enhanced electrochemical performance of ACAG electrode was due to graphene
layer of ACAG.
2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

1. Introduction Carbon aerogel has been widely employed as an electrode

Supercapacitor is commonly used as an electrochemical energy
storage device, which is ideally suitable for rapid storage and
release of energy [1–4]. To develop supercapacitors with high
performance, a large number of carbonaceous materials have
been examined [5–12]. Conventional carbon materials, however,
not only have low surface area for electric double layer (EDL) but
also show limited power density and energy capacity. In
order to overcome these problems, various modification methods
of carbon materials have been suggested [13–25]. Among these
modifica- tions, chemical activation has been recognized as a
feasible method for increasing specific surface area of carbon
materials. Activation by chemical agent increases surface area
and pore volume of carbon materials due to formation of
micropores [26]. It is known that large amount of micropores
improves the performance of carbonaceous materials as an
electrochemical capacitor by increasing EDL [27]. However, the
increase of internal resistance was inevitable when these
micropores were formed. High internal resistance acted as an
obstacle in generating power of super- capacitor [26].
* Corresponding author. Tel.: +82 31 330 1338; fax: +82 31 336 6336.
** Corresponding author. Tel.: +82 2 880 9227; fax: +82 2 889 7415.
E-mail addresses: jgseo@mju.ac.kr (J.G. Seo), inksong@snu.ac.kr (I.K. Song).
material of supercapacitors because of high surface area, fine pore
size, and high porosity. Resorcinol–formaldehyde (RF) method is
known to be a simple route for the preparation of carbon aerogel
[21]. Furthermore, textural properties of carbon aerogel can be
easily controlled in the RF method by changing preparation
conditions, such as gelation temperature, pH, and reaction time
[28]. Recently, composite materials based on a combination of
carbon aerogel and various materials have been developed to
obtain excellent supercapacitor electrodes [29,30].
Two-dimensional graphene with one atom thickness has
attracted much attention due to its outstanding electrochemical
properties. It has lower resistance than any other carbonaceous
materials, which makes it a promising additive in the preparation
of various composite materials [31,32]. However, pure graphene
generally exhibits poor electrochemical performance because of
its agglomerative behavior. In order to overcome this problem,
graphene oxide (GO) has been widely used for the preparation
of composite materials for supercapacitors.
In this work, we attempted to prepare an activated carbon
aerogel containing graphene (ACAG) by a simple method to
improve electrochemical performance of activated carbon aerogel
as a supercapacitor. For this purpose, resorcinol–formaldehyde
aerogel containing graphene oxide was prepared and it was
activated with K2CO3 for use as an electrode of supercapacitor. For
comparison, graphene-free activated carbon aerogel (ACA) and

0025-5408/$ – see front matter 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.materresbull.2013.11.021
 Y.J.Y.J.
LeeLee
et al.
et /al.
Materials
/ Materials
Research
Research
24
non-activated carbon aerogel (CA) were also prepared. Through
this work, we have demonstrated that graphene played an
important role in enhancing supercapacitive electrochemical
performance of activated carbon aerogel.
2. Experimental
2.1. Preparation of activated carbon aerogel containing graphene
(ACAG)
Graphene oxide (GO) was synthesized from commercially
available graphite powder according to the modified Hummers
method in the literature [33]. Resorcinol–formaldehyde aerogel
containing graphene oxide (denoted as RFGO aerogel) was
prepared by a polycondensation of resorcinol (C6H6O2, Sigma–
Aldrich) with formaldehyde (C6H6O2, Sigma–Aldrich) in a
polyethyleneimine (PEI)-modified GO solution, as reported in our
previous work [30]. In order to prepare activated carbon aerogel
containing graphene, partially carbonized RFGO aerogel was
used. Fig. 1 shows the preparation procedures for activated
carbon aerogel containing graphene (denoted as ACAG). In short,
known amounts of sodium carbonate (a base catalyst) and
resorcinol were dissolved in a PEI- modified GO solution.
Concentration of PEI-modified GO in DI water was fixed at 45 wt%.
After stirring the solution, formaldehyde was added into the
mixed solution to form a RFGO (resorcinol– formaldehyde and
graphene oxide) solution. Molar ratio of resorcinol with
respect to formaldehyde was fixed at 1:2. R/C
(resorcinol/catalyst) ratio was fixed at 1000. After stirring the
RFGO solution, it was cured in a vial at 80 8C to form RFGO wet gel.
Solvent exchange was performed with acetone at 50 8C for one day.
Ambient drying was then done at room temperature for one day
to obtain RFGO aerogel. Partially carbonized RFGO aerogel was
obtained through carbonization of RFGO aerogel at 500 8C
under N2 flow. Activation agent (K2CO3) was dissolved in DI
water, and then partially carbonized RFGO aerogel powder
was added into the solution. Weight ratio of K2CO3 with respect
to partially carbonized RFGO aerogel was fixed at 1. After stirring
the mixture for 1 h, the
Fig. 1. Preparation procedures for activated carbon aerogel containing graphene (ACAG).
Bulletin
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solid was recovered and dried at 120 8C for 6 h. The resultant was
reacted at 800 8C for 1 h under N2 atmosphere. Activation agent-
containing ACAG was washed with DI water till the pH value of
solution reached ca. 7 to remove the residual activation agent.
The resulting material was finally dried at 120 8C for 1 day to
obtain ACAG. For comparison, graphene-free activated carbon
aerogel was prepared using RF aerogel by the same chemical
activation method with K2CO3. Graphene-free activated carbon
aerogel and non- activated carbon aerogel were denoted as ACA
and CA, respectively.
2.2. Characterization
BET surface area and N2 adsorption–desorption isotherm were
measured with an ASAP 2010 (Micromeritics) instrument. Pore
volume and pore size distribution of CA, ACA, and ACAG were
determined by the BJH method applied to the desorption branch
of N2 isotherm. Raman spectra were obtained with a Jobin
Yvon T6400 spectrometer using an Ar laser light source
(wave length = 514.5 nm). Graphitization of CA, ACA, and
ACAG was investigated by X-ray diffraction (Rigaku, D/MAX-
2000). Morphol- ogy of carbon aerogel matrix and location of
reduced GO on ACAG were confirmed by HR-TEM (Jeol, JEM-
3010).
2.3. Preparation of CA, ACA, and ACAG electrodes
CA, ACA, and ACAG were casted using polytetrafluoroethylene
as a binder. A mixture of each carbon material and binder with
weight ratio of 90:10 was dispersed in 2-propanol. The resultant
was mixed
using mortar and pestle, and then it was rolled to be 8–10 mm
thickness. The electrode material was cut into 1 cm 1 cm and
pressed onto nickel foam electrode. It was finally dried at 100 8C
for
12 h in a vacuum oven. The weight of electrode was ca. 2.5 mg.
2.4. Measurement of electrochemical properties of CA, ACA, and ACAG
Electrochemical properties of CA, ACA, and ACAG electrodes
were measured with a conventional three-electrode cell system in
 0.5
1500 (a) (b)

Volume adsorbed (cm 3/g )

CA
1250 CA 0.4
ACA

dV/dD (cm3/g nm)

ACA
ACAG
1000 ACAG
0.3
0.2
750

500 0.1

250

0
0 0.4 0.6 0.8 10 100
1.0 1
0 0.2

Relative pressure (P/Po) Pore size (nm)

Fig. 2. (a) N2 adsorption–desorption isotherms and (b) pore size distributions of CA, ACA, and ACAG.

6 M KOH electrolyte. A platinum plate and Ag/AgCl were used as
a counter electrode and a reference electrode, respectively.
Cyclic voltammetry measurements were conducted to evaluate
electro- chemical performance of CA, ACA, and ACAG electrodes
at a scan rate of 10 and 200 mV/s within voltage range from
1.0 to 0 V. Galvanostatic charge/discharge measurements were
carried out at constant current of 1 and 5 A/g within the same
voltage range of cyclic voltammetry measurements. EIS
BET surface area (SBET), micropore surface area (Smicro), and
pore volume (Vpore) of CA, ACA, and ACAG are listed in Table 1.
After chemical activation, micropore surface area and pore
volume were significantly increased, in good agreement with
the pore size distributions (Fig. 2(b)). Once again, this result
indicates that ACA and ACAG were transformed into
microporous carbon material after activation. ACA showed
higher BET surface area and larger pore volume (1384 m /g and
2

(electrochemical imped- ance spectroscopy) measurements were 3 2 3

also carried out within frequency range from 100 kHz to 0.01 Hz
at open circuit potential with an ac perturbation of 5 mV.
3. Results and discussion
3.1. Physical properties of CA, ACA, and ACAG
Textural properties of CA, ACA, and ACAG were examined by N2
adsorption–desorption isotherm measurements. Fig. 2 (a) shows
the N2 adsorption–desorption isotherms of CA, ACA, and ACAG. IV-
type isotherm and H2-type hysteresis loop were clearly observed
in the CA, indicating the existence of well-developed porous
structure. ACA and ACAG prepared by chemical activation still
exhibited the same isotherm and hysteresis loop as CA. It is
noteworthy that the total amount of volume absorbed on ACA
and
ACAG was larger than that on CA. Therefore, it can be inferred
that
pore volume of ACA and ACAG would be larger than that of CA.
1.83 cm /g) than ACAG (1158 m /g and 1.81 cm /g). This implies
that RFGO aerogel was less affected by K2CO3 activation due to
its graphene layer which retained excellent mechanical
strength.
Fig. 3 shows the Raman spectra of CA, ACA, and ACAG. Peak
position and intensity ratio of D-band with respect to G-band
(R = ID/IG) of CA, ACA, and ACAG are listed in Table 2. As shown in
Fig. 3, all samples exhibited two main peaks; G-band with E2g
symmetry at around 1590 cm 1 ascribed to ordered carbon, and
1
D- band with A1g symmetry at around 1350 cm ascribed
to disordered carbon and various defects of carbon material
[34]. D-band is attributed to the disorder-induced scattering,
which is caused by imperfections or loss of hexagonal
symmetry in the carbon structure. Therefore, peak intensity of
D-band decreased when graphene was used as an additive. Peak
position of G-band in the ACA and ACAG slightly shifted to lower
wavenumber compared to that in the CA. More importantly,
intensity ratio (R = ID/IG) of
D-band G-band

Interestingly, initial amount of volume adsorbed (at P/P0 0) in

the N2 adsorption–desorption isotherm increased about two times
after chemical activation. This indicates that microporous struc-
ture was dominantly developed in the ACA and ACAG without CA
Intensity (A. U.)

collapse of pore structure. This result was also well supported by

the pore size distributions of CA, ACA, and ACAG (Fig. 2(b)).
Compared to CA, ACA and ACAG showed large micropore region
(<2 nm), which was consistent with the result of N2 adsorption–
desorption isotherms. As shown in Fig. 2(b), CA exhibited a narrow ACA
pore size distribution centered at around 10.5 nm, while ACA and
ACAG showed a broad pore size distribution. This result indicates
that micropores in ACA and ACAG were dominantly developed
and mesopores of ACA and ACAG were converted into
ACAG
micropores.

Table 1
Textural properties of CA, ACA, and ACAG.

SBET (m /g)
2 2
Smicro (m /g)
3
Vpore (cm /g) 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000

CA 743 563 1.34 ACAG 1158 1008

ACA 1384 1090 1.83 1.81
Raman shift (cm-1)
Fig. 3. Raman spectra of CA, ACA, and ACAG.
 Table 2 C (002) C (101)
Peak position and intensity ratio of D-band with respect to G-band (R = ID/IG) of
CA, ACA, and ACAG.

Intensity (A. U.)

CA
CA
ACA
ACAG
a
Intensity ratio of D-band with respect to G-band (R = ID/IG). ACA

ACA and ACAG was larger than that of CA. This result indicates
that translational symmetry breaking or various defects
occurred during the chemical activation with K2CO3. ACAG
XRD patterns of CA, ACA, and ACAG are presented in Fig. 4. CA
showed the characteristic diffraction peaks at 2u = 23.58 (0 0 2) and
43.88 (1 0 1). This indicates that CA can be regarded as a partly
graphitized carbon. However, XRD pattern of ACA and ACAG was 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
slightly different from that of CA. (0 0 2) peak of ACA and ACAG
was

broadened after activation with K2CO3. This result indicates that
symmetry breaking or defects occurred onto the surface of ACA and
ACAG, in good agreement with the Raman spectra result. It is
interesting to note that (0 0 2) peak of ACAG slightly shifted to the
higher diffraction angle (ca. 2u = 268). It has been reported that
(0 0 2) peak of pristine graphene appears at 2u = 268 [35].
Therefore, it can be inferred that PEI-modified GO was successfully
transformed to thermally reduced graphene form in the ACAG.
Fig. 5(a) shows the HR-TEM image of ACA. In the HR-TEM
image, carbon particles formed an interconnecting network
structure with non-uniform textural porosity. In case of ACAG
(Fig. 5(b)), thermally reduced GO was intercalated onto
activated carbon aerogel matrix in the shape of graphene single
layer, indicating the formation of highly conductive network.
This result was well consistent with the XRD result of ACAG
(Fig. 4).
2 Theta (Degree)
Fig. 4. XRD patterns of CA, ACA, and ACAG.
3.2. Electrochemical properties of CA, ACA, and ACAG
Fig. 6(a) and (b) shows the cyclic voltammograms of CA, ACA,
and ACAG. The calculated specific capacitances are listed in Table 3.
At a scan rate of 10 mV/s (Fig. 6(a)), all electrodes showed a
roughly rectangular-like shape, indicating that they retained
general electrochemical properties of carbon material. Compared
to ACA and ACAG electrodes, CA electrode showed a depressed
profile. Moreover, potential window range of ACA and ACAG
were significantly larger than that of CA. This means that
activation

Fig. 5. TEM images of (a) ACA and (b) ACAG.

4 (a) 30
Current (A/g)

Scan rate: 10 mV/s

(b) Scan rate: 100 mV/s
Current (A/g)

20
2
10

0 0
-10
CA
-2 -20
CA ACA
ACA ACAG
ACAG -30
-4

-0.8 -0.6 -0.4 -0.2 0 -1.0 -0.8 -0.6 -0.4 -0.2 0

-1.0

Potential (V vs. Ag/AgCl) Potential (V vs. Ag/AgCl)

Fig. 6. Cyclic voltamograms of CA, ACA, and ACAG at a scan rate of (a) 10 mV/s and (b) 100 mV/s.
 Specific capacitance (F/g)
Table 3
Specific capacitance of CA, ACA, and ACAG electrodes calculated from cyclic
225
a
voltammetry.
200
Calculated specific capacitance (F/g)
175
10 mV/s 100 mV/s

CA 150
ACA
ACAG 125
a
Measured at a scan rate of 10 mV/s and 100 mV/s in an aqueous solution of 6 100
M KOH.
75
50
Table 4 100 150 200
0 50
Specific capacitance of CA, ACA, and ACAG electrodes calculated by charge/
a
discharge test.

Scan rate (mV/s)

Calculated specific capacitance (F/g)

CA
ACA
ACAG
a
Measured at a constant current of 1 A/g and 5 A/g in an aqueous solution of 6
M KOH.
with K2CO3 improved not only physical properties but also
electrochemical properties of ACA and ACAG. It should be noted
that ACAG showed higher specific capacitance (221 F/g) than ACA
(198 F/g), although ACA had higher BET surface area than ACAG
2 2
(1384 m /g vs. 1158 m /g). This might be because graphene layer
of ACAG acted as an excellent additive material to enhance
electrochemical performance. At a scan rate of 100 mV/s (Fig.
6(b)), obvious distortion was observed in the CA, ACA, and
ACAG electrodes. This electrochemical behavior means that
their equivalent series resistance (ESR) was relatively high.
It is noticeable that ACA showed more distorted cyclic
voltammogram than ACAG. This result indicates that graphene
layer served as a good conductive additive for supercapacitor
electrode. In summa- ry, activation with K2CO3 increased not
only specific capacitance but also ESR value of carbon aerogel.
Nevertheless, ESR value could be reduced by adding graphene
layer onto activated carbon aerogel matrix.
Fig. 7 shows the specific capacitance of CA, ACA, and ACAG
plotted as a function of scan rate. Generally, specific capacitance of
all samples decreased with increasing scan rate. Specific capaci-
tance of ACA was drastically decreased at a fast scan rate region.
In other words, specific capacitance of ACA was only maintained
at
34% of the initial value. On the other hand, specific capacitance of
ACAG was maintained at 45% of the initial value due to its
relatively low ESR.
Voltage (V vs. Ag/AgCl)
Voltage (V vs. Ag/AgCl)
and ACAG electrodes at a current density of 1 and 5 A/g,
respectively. The calculated specific capacitance of CA, ACA, and
ACAG are listed in Table 4. At a low current density (1 A/g), the
curves of CA, ACA, and ACAG electrodes showed a virtually linear
shape and triangular distribution. Moreover, IR (inner resistance)
drop intensity of CA, ACA, and ACAG electrodes was negligible. It
should be noted that ACAG showed the longest charge/discharge
time. This indicates that ACAG had higher specific capacitance
(300 F/g) than CA (189 F/g), and ACA (271 F/g), in good
agreement with the results of cyclic voltammetry measurements
(Fig. 6(a)). At a high current density (5 A/g), CA, ACA, and ACAG
suffered from IR drop due to resistance along the electron
conduction pathways. It is interesting to note that the IR drop
value of ACAG electrode (0.74 V) was smaller than that of ACA
electrode (0.88 V). This potential drop was attributed to the
resistance of electrolyte and the inner resistance of ion diffusion
though carbon micropores. As mentioned earlier, ACA had
relatively large micropore area than ACAG. Therefore, it is
concluded that ACAG is more advantageous than ACA for fast
charge/discharge rate.
Fig. 9 shows the Nyquist plots of CA, ACA, and ACAG. At a high
frequency region (inset), semi-circle loop of ACA was bigger than
that of ACAG. Once again, this result strongly supports that
relatively large inter-granular electrical resistance of ACA was
reduced by graphene layer of ACAG. In the Nyquist plot, x-
interceptor of the Z0 axis represents the ESR value of the
electrode.
The ESR value of ACAG (0.40 V) electrodes was smaller than that
of
ACA electrode (0.57 V). This result also supports that the
introduction of graphene onto ACA enhanced the electric

conductivity of ACAG.

0 (a) CA 0 (b) CA
ACA ACA
ACAG ACAG
-0.2 -0.2

-0.4
-0.4

-0.6 -0.6

-0.8 -0.8
Current density: 1 A/g Current density: 5 A/g

-1.0 -1.0

0 100 0 25 50 75 100
200 300 400 500 600
Time (Second)
Time (Second)

Fig. 8. Charge/discharge profiles of CA, ACA, and ACAG measured at (a) 1 A/g and (b) 5 A/g.
 60 Planning (KETEP) grant funded by the Korea Government Ministry
50 of Knowledge Economy (2012T100100511).
-Z’’ (Ohm)
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This work was supported by the Energy Efficiency & Resources
of the Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation and