Three-dimensional macroporous graphene architectures as high performance electrodes for capacitive deionization

In order to obtain excellent desalination behavior during the capacitive deionization (CDI) process, electrodes should provide efficient pathways for ion and electron transport. Here we open up a new opportunity to prepare high performance capacitive deionization (CDI) electrodes based on three-dimensional macroporous graphene architectures (3DMGA). The 3DMGA were fabricated by a simple template-directed method using polystyrene microspheres as sacrificial templates. The resulting 3DMGA exhibited a 3D interconnected structure with large specific surface area and high electric conductivity. The electrochemical behavior of the 3DMGA electrodes was analyzed by cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge–discharge and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. It was found that the 3DMGA showed superiority in electrosorption capacitance, low inner resistance, high reversibility and excellent stability. The power and energy density analysis further demonstrated that the 3DMGA electrode had a higher power output and lower energy consumption. According to the electrochemical measurements, the 3DMGA is quite desirable for high performance and low energy consumption capacitive deionization. The desalination capacity was evaluated by a batch mode electrosorptive experiment in a NaCl aqueous solution. An excellent desalination behavior of the 3DMGA was obtained due to the large accessible surface area, high electric conductivity and unique 3D interconnected macroporous structure. The 3DMGA was confirmed to be a promising material for CDI application.

[1]  Shishan Wu,et al.  A facile, controllable fabrication of polystyrene/graphene core-shell microspheres and its application in high-performance electrocatalysis. , 2012, Chemical communications.

[2]  Liyi Shi,et al.  Graphene prepared via a novel pyridine–thermal strategy for capacitive deionization , 2012 .

[3]  J. Bae,et al.  3D heterostructured architectures of Co3O4 nanoparticles deposited on porous graphene surfaces for high performance of lithium ion batteries. , 2012, Nanoscale.

[4]  Linda Zou,et al.  Graphene nanosheets reduced by a multi-step process as high-performance electrode material for capacitive deionisation , 2012 .

[5]  Xiaodong Chen,et al.  Assembly of graphene sheets into 3D macroscopic structures. , 2012, Small.

[6]  Xianzhong Sun,et al.  High-performance supercapacitors based on a graphene–activated carbon composite prepared by chemical activation , 2012 .

[7]  C. F. Schutte,et al.  Capacitive Deionization Technology™: An alternative desalination solution , 2005 .

[8]  J. Georgiadis,et al.  Science and technology for water purification in the coming decades , 2008, Nature.

[9]  Zhuo Sun,et al.  Electrosorption behavior of graphene in NaCl solutions , 2009 .

[10]  X. Zhao,et al.  Intercalation of mesoporous carbon spheres between reduced graphene oxide sheets for preparing high-rate supercapacitor electrodes , 2011 .

[11]  Sundara Ramaprabhu,et al.  Synthesis of graphene-multiwalled carbon nanotubes hybrid nanostructure by strengthened electrostatic interaction and its lithium ion battery application , 2012 .

[12]  G. Shi,et al.  Graphene based new energy materials , 2011 .

[13]  D. Zhao,et al.  Functional Nanoporous Graphene Foams with Controlled Pore Sizes , 2012, Advanced materials.

[14]  Justin C. Lytle,et al.  Multifunctional 3D nanoarchitectures for energy storage and conversion. , 2009, Chemical Society reviews.

[15]  G. Cui,et al.  Exfoliated graphite nanosheets/carbon nanotubes hybrid materials for superior performance supercapacitors , 2011 .

[16]  Doron Aurbach,et al.  The feasibility of boron removal from water by capacitive deionization , 2011 .

[17]  Y. Liu,et al.  Porous graphene-based materials by thermolytic cracking , 2012 .

[18]  Jean Gamby,et al.  Studies and characterisations of various activated carbons used for carbon/carbon supercapacitors , 2001 .

[19]  Sotira Yiacoumi,et al.  Electrosorption of ions from aqueous solutions by carbon aerogel: An electrical double-layer model , 2001 .

[20]  T. D. Tran,et al.  Electrosorption of inorganic salts from aqueous solution using carbon aerogels. , 2002, Environmental science & technology.

[21]  Y. Oren,et al.  Capacitive deionization (CDI) for desalination and water treatment — past, present and future (a review) , 2008 .

[22]  Zhenxing Zhang,et al.  Freestanding three-dimensional graphene/MnO2 composite networks as ultralight and flexible supercapacitor electrodes. , 2013, ACS nano.

[23]  Minhao Shi,et al.  One-step solid state preparation of reduced graphene oxide , 2012 .

[24]  Jae-Hwan Choi,et al.  Selective removal of nitrate ion using a novel composite carbon electrode in capacitive deionization. , 2012, Water research.

[25]  G. Shi,et al.  Three-dimensional graphene architectures. , 2012, Nanoscale.

[26]  Liyi Shi,et al.  High performance ordered mesoporous carbon/carbon nanotube composite electrodes for capacitive deionization , 2012 .

[27]  G. G. Stokes.  "J." , 1890, The New Yale Book of Quotations.

[28]  Hairong Xue,et al.  Structural and electrochemical characterization of ordered mesoporous carbon-reduced graphene oxide nanocomposites , 2012 .

[29]  Jun Song Chen,et al.  Nitrogen-containing microporous carbon nanospheres with improved capacitive properties , 2011 .

[30]  Andreas Winter,et al.  Three‐Dimensional Nitrogen and Boron Co‐doped Graphene for High‐Performance All‐Solid‐State Supercapacitors , 2012, Advanced materials.

[31]  Jun Chen,et al.  A Leavening Strategy to Prepare Reduced Graphene Oxide Foams , 2012, Advanced materials.

[32]  R. Ruoff,et al.  Graphene: calling all chemists. , 2008, Nature nanotechnology.

[33]  Linda Zou,et al.  Novel graphene-like electrodes for capacitive deionization. , 2010, Environmental science & technology.

[34]  Liyi Shi,et al.  Enhanced capacitive deionization performance of graphene/carbon nanotube composites , 2012 .

[35]  Peng Si,et al.  An electrochemically formed three-dimensional structure of polypyrrole/graphene nanoplatelets for high-performance supercapacitors , 2011 .

[36]  C. Tsouris,et al.  Mesoporous carbon for capacitive deionization of saline water. , 2011, Environmental science & technology.

[37]  V. Ruiz,et al.  Capacitive Deionization of NaCl Solutions with Modified Activated Carbon Electrodes , 2010 .

[38]  Xin-bo Zhang,et al.  In situ fabrication of porous graphene electrodes for high-performance energy storage. , 2013, ACS nano.

[39]  Qiang Zhang,et al.  A Three‐Dimensional Carbon Nanotube/Graphene Sandwich and Its Application as Electrode in Supercapacitors , 2010, Advanced materials.

[40]  J. Choi,et al.  3D macroporous graphene frameworks for supercapacitors with high energy and power densities. , 2012, ACS nano.

[41]  Tao Huang,et al.  Hierarchically porous honeycomb-like carbon as a lithium–oxygen electrode , 2013 .

[42]  Jiaqi Huang,et al.  Annealing a graphene oxide film to produce a free standing high conductive graphene film , 2012 .

[43]  T. Karanfil,et al.  Adsorption of dissolved natural organic matter by modified activated carbons. , 2005, Water research.

[44]  Sung Jae Kim,et al.  Direct seawater desalination by ion concentration polarization. , 2010, Nature nanotechnology.

[45]  Liyi Shi,et al.  Enhanced capacitive deionization of graphene/mesoporous carbon composites. , 2012, Nanoscale.

[46]  Walter A. Zeltner,et al.  Synthesis and characterization of asymmetric electrochemical capacitive deionization materials using nanoporous silicon dioxide and magnesium doped aluminum oxide , 2009 .

[47]  Liyi Shi,et al.  Three-dimensional hierarchical porous carbon with a bimodal pore arrangement for capacitive deionization , 2012 .

[48]  Marc Andelman,et al.  Flow Through Capacitor basics , 2011 .

[49]  Paul V. Braun,et al.  Three-dimensional bicontinuous ultrafast-charge and -discharge bulk battery electrodes. , 2011, Nature nanotechnology.

[50]  F. Kang,et al.  Capacitive deionization of NaCl solutions using carbon nanotube sponge electrodes , 2011 .

[51]  B. Jang,et al.  Graphene-based supercapacitor with an ultrahigh energy density. , 2010, Nano letters.

[52]  Juan G. Santiago,et al.  Capacitive desalination with flow-through electrodes , 2012 .

[53]  Yu Huang,et al.  Flexible solid-state supercapacitors based on three-dimensional graphene hydrogel films. , 2013, ACS nano.

[54]  M. Morcrette,et al.  Design of Hierarchical Porous Carbonaceous Foams from a Dual-Template Approach and Their Use as Electrochemical Capacitor and Li Ion Battery Negative Electrodes , 2012 .

[55]  Xufeng Zhou,et al.  A 3D porous architecture of Si/graphene nanocomposite as high-performance anode materials for Li-ion batteries , 2012 .

[56]  Tingting Yan,et al.  Comparative Electroadsorption Study of Mesoporous Carbon Electrodes with Various Pore Structures , 2011 .

[57]  Qiang Zhang,et al.  Macroporous 'bubble' graphene film via template-directed ordered-assembly for high rate supercapacitors. , 2012, Chemical communications.