Carbon materials comprising enhanced electrochemical properties

Abstract

The present application is directed to carbon materials comprising an optimized pore structure. The carbon materials comprise enhanced electrochemical properties and find utility in any number of electrical devices, for example, as electrode material in ultracapacitors. Methods for making the disclosed carbon materials are also disclosed.

1 . A carbon material comprising a pore structure, the pore structure comprising micropores, mesopores and a total pore volume, wherein from 30% to 50% of the total pore volume resides in micropores, from 50% to 70% of the total pore volume resides in mesopores and less than 10% of the total pore volume resides in pores greater than 20 nm. 
     
     
         2 . The carbon material of  claim 1 , wherein from 40% to 50% of the total pore volume resides in micropores and from 50% to 60% of the total pore volume resides in mesopores. 
     
     
         3 . The carbon material of  claim 1 , wherein from 43% to 47% of the total pore volume resides in micropores and from 53% to 57% of the total pore volume resides in mesopores. 
     
     
         4 . The carbon material of  claim 1 , wherein about 45% of the total pore volume resides in micropores and about 55% of the total pore volume resides in mesopores. 
     
     
         5 . The carbon material of  claim 1 , wherein from 30% to 40% of the total pore volume resides in micropores and from 60% to 70% of the total pore volume resides in mesopores. 
     
     
         6 . The carbon material of  claim 1 , wherein from 35% to 45% of the total pore volume resides in micropores and from 55% to 65% of the total pore volume resides in mesopores. 
     
     
         7 - 8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . The carbon material of  claim 1 , wherein less than 5% of the total pore volume resides in pores greater than 20 nm. 
     
     
         10 . The carbon material of  claim 1 , wherein the carbon material comprises a total impurity content of less than 500 ppm of elements having atomic numbers ranging from 11 to 92 as measured by proton induced x-ray emission. 
     
     
         11 . The carbon material of  claim 1 , wherein the carbon material comprises a total impurity content of less than 200 ppm of elements having atomic numbers ranging from 11 to 92 as measured by proton induced x-ray emission. 
     
     
         12 - 27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . The carbon material of  claim 1 , wherein the carbon material comprises a pyrolyzed polymer cryogel. 
     
     
         29 . The carbon material of  claim 1 , wherein the carbon material comprises an activated polymer cryogel. 
     
     
         30 . The carbon material of  claim 1 , wherein the carbon material comprises a BET specific surface area of at least 500 m 2 /g. 
     
     
         31 . The carbon material of  claim 1 , wherein the carbon material comprises a BET specific surface area of at least 1500 m 2 /g. 
     
     
         32 . The carbon material of  claim 1 , wherein the carbon material comprises a BET specific surface area of at least 2000 m 2 /g. 
     
     
         33 . The carbon material of  claim 1 , wherein the carbon material comprises a pore volume of at least 0.60 cc/g. 
     
     
         34 . The carbon material of  claim 1 , wherein the carbon material comprises a pore volume of at least 1.00 cc/g. 
     
     
         35 . The carbon material of  claim 1 , wherein the carbon material comprises a pore volume of at least 1.50 cc/g. 
     
     
         36 . The carbon material of  claim 1 , wherein the carbon material comprises a pore volume of at least 2.00 cc/g. 
     
     
         37 . An electrode comprising the carbon material of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         38 . (canceled) 
     
     
         39 . A device comprising the carbon material of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         40 . The device of  claim 39 , wherein the device is an EDLC, lithium/carbon battery, zinc/carbon, lithium air battery or lead acid battery 
     
     
         41 . The device of  claim 39 , wherein the device is an electric double layer capacitor (EDLC) device comprising:
 a) a positive electrode and a negative electrode wherein each of the positive and the negative electrodes comprise the carbon material;   b) an inert porous separator; and   c) an electrolyte;   wherein the positive electrode and the negative electrode are separated by the inert porous separator.   
     
     
         42 . The device of  claim 39 , wherein the device is a lead/acid battery comprising:
 a) at least one positive electrode comprising a first active material in electrical contact with a first current collector;   b) at least one negative electrode comprising a second active material in electrical contact with a second current collector; and   c) an electrolyte;   wherein the positive electrode and the negative electrode are separated by an inert porous separator, and wherein at least one of the first or second active materials comprises the carbon material.   
     
     
         43 - 82 . (canceled)