Hierarchical porous carbon spheres derived from larch sawdust via spray pyrolysis and soft-templating method for supercapacitors

Hierarchical porous carbon spheres (PCSs) with a tunable pore structure were prepared from larch sawdust via spray pyrolysis and a soft-templating method. Decomposition of the soft template, i.e., Pluronic F127, in the carbonization step led to formation of a hierarchical porous structure with mesopores and macropores. Swelling of the core, presumably predominantly of the poly(propylene oxide) component, was induced by evaporation of water. This led to the generation of ultra-large mesopores and macropores. The surface morphology and pore structure of the carbon spheres were controlled by varying the F127 concentration. The PCSs morphologies changed from smooth to rough with increasing addition of F127, and the particle sizes became more uniform.