Direct synthesis of porous carbon materials prepared from diethyldithiocarbamate metal complexes and their electrochemical behavior

Abstract

Porous carbon materials were prepared at low temperatures via thermal decomposition of iron, nickel and cobalt N,N-diethyldithiocarbamates (DDT). X-ray diffraction data showed two peaks at 2θ (25.5° and 43.5°) that indicate the presence of graphite-like structures. Raman spectra displayed D and G bands in the range from 1312 to 1321 cm-1 and 1587 to 1593 cm-1, respectively, which were fitted with 4 components. All spectra showed two low intensity D* (1190 cm-1) and D’’ (1500 cm-1) bands, assigned to sp2 –sp3 bonds in disordered carbonaceous materials and amorphous carbon, respectively. Transmission electron microscopy images showed agglomerates of spherical particles formed by graphitic segments. The results showed that the carbon material obtained from iron N,N-diethyldithiocarbamate, Fe(DDT)3, is structurally better organized than the others and the pore size distribution curves confirmed that this material presents high degree of mesoporosity. Voltammetric curves obtained using KOH and H2SO4 electrolytes showed hysteresis behavior typical of capacitors charge/discharge process. The carbon material prepared from Fe(DDT)3 displayed the highest specific capacitance in acidic media, 59 F g-1, which was associated to its high degree of mesoporosity.