2022 Volume 1 Issue 2 Pages 34-49
To realize a prosperous and sustainable society in the future, continuous progress in electrical energy storage technology is essential. Carbon materials have played a pivotal role in the global economy since electrical power was harnessed in the 19th century. To improve electrode performance, it is vital to develop carbon electrodes with designed porous structures over multiple length scales. In this regard, a self-standing, binder-free carbon electrode has many advantages that are not available in conventional composite electrodes involving binders and other additives. This review highlights porous monolithic carbon electrodes derived from crosslinked organic gels in terms of their synthesis and the control of their pore structure by sol–gel techniques. Special focus is given to porous carbon monoliths with three-dimensionally interconnected macropores prepared by a phase separation strategy. Electrochemical studies on energy storage devices using the monolithic carbon electrodes are also overviewed.
