Citation: Jiale Zhang, Ruifang Zhang, Shuaihua Zhang, Runze Gao, Qi Yang, Debin Kong, Bin Luo, Zhichang Xiao. Integrating optimized pore structure and enriched carbonyl groups into functional carbon nanomaterials for high-performance zinc-ion capacitors[J]. Chinese Chemical Letters, ;2026, 37(11): 111867. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111867 shu

Integrating optimized pore structure and enriched carbonyl groups into functional carbon nanomaterials for high-performance zinc-ion capacitors

Jiale Zhang ^a ,
Ruifang Zhang ^b ,
Shuaihua Zhang ^a ,
Runze Gao ^a ,
Qi Yang ^{c, *,} ,
Debin Kong ^{d, e, *,} ,
Bin Luo ^f ,
Zhichang Xiao ^{a, *,}

a.
Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071001, China
b.
College of Land and Resources, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071001, China
c.
Key Laboratory of Civil Aviation Thermal Disaster Control and Emergency, Civil Aviation University of China, Tianjin 300300, China
d.
Wuzhen Laboratory, Jiaxing 314500, China
e.
College of New Energy, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao 266580, China
f.
Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia

q-yang@cauc.edu.cn

kongdb@upc.edu.cn

xiaozc@hebau.edu.cn

Received Date: 12 August 2025
Revised Date: 17 September 2025
Accepted Date: 21 September 2025
Available Online: 22 September 2025

Figures(6)

The unsatisfied energy density and power density of zinc-ion capacitors necessitate the development of carbonaceous cathodes with both functional groups and abundant porosities. In this work, a carbonyl-enriched porous carbon nanomaterial is synthesized via Scholl coupling and dual molten salt treatment using p-benzoquinone as the precursor. Theoretical analysis indicates that appropriate pore size can enhance the transport capability of [Zn(H₂O)₆]²⁺, while a high carbonyl content strengthens the chemical interaction between [Zn(H₂O)₆]²⁺ and the electrode. Experimental results reveal that the pore structure and carbonyl content are influenced by zinc chloride and iron chloride molten salts, respectively, and the use of dual molten salts synergistically optimizes the formation of abundant pore structures with appropriate sizes and high carbonyl content. Consequently, the derived CPC-FeZn exhibits the highest effective specific surface area (SSA_{d ＞ 0.86} _nm, 1292 m²/g) and carbonyl content (3.01 at%), endowing CPC-FeZn with a specific capacitance of 256.1 F/g at 0.1 A/g, an excellent rate capability (66.7% capacitance retention at 20 A/g), and a high energy density of 91.1 Wh/kg at 80 W/kg. This work establishes CPC-FeZn as a high-performance cathode for zinc-ion capacitors, providing a design paradigm for sustainable energy storage technologies.
- Functional carbon-based materials,
- Zinc-ion capacitors,
- Carbonyl group,
- Pore size,
- Structural regulation
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