In recent times, there has been a significant demand for supercapacitors in energy storage applications due to their rapid charging– discharging capabilities, high power density, and excellent stability. Nevertheless, the synthesis of electrode materials with a substantial surface area, exceptionally high porosity, and superior electrochemical performance is still challenging. Activated carbons with a distinctive porous structure and exceptional electrochemical properties emerged as promising electrode materials for supercapacitors. In this study, we used a porous activated carbon (PAC) derived from petroleum coke followed by KOH activation as an efficient anodic electrode material. The ultra-high Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area of 2105.6 m2 g− 1 with stacked layers of carbon atoms arranged in a two-dimensional hexagonal structure makes the PAC an efficient candidate for a supercapacitor electrode. The PAC delivers a specific capacitance of 470 F g− 1 at a current density of 0.5 A g− 1 over a potential window of 0 to −1 V. The excellent cycling stability in a three-electrode setup with a capacitance retention of ⁓98% even at a high current density of 10 A g− 1 makes the PAC a potential anodic electrode material for high-performance supercapacitor applications.

Porous activated carbon derived from petroleum coke as a high-performance anodic electrode material for supercapacitors
    Abstract
        Graphical abstract
    1 Introduction
    2 Materials and methods
        2.1 Preparation of carbonized carbon (CC) and porous activated carbon (PAC)
        2.2 Structural and physical characterizations
        2.3 Electrochemical characterizations of supercapacitors in a three-electrode system
    3 Results and discussion
        3.1 Structural and morphological analyses
        3.2 Three-electrode supercapacitor performance of the PAC electrode
    4 Conclusions
    Acknowledgements 
    References

• Subir K. Pati(Department of Nano Convergence Engineering, Department of Polymer Nano Science and Technology, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju 54896, Republic of Korea)
• Yejin Hwang(Department of Nano Convergence Engineering, Department of Polymer Nano Science and Technology, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju 54896, Republic of Korea)
• Hye‑Min Lee(R&BD Group 1, Industrialization Division, Korea Carbon Industry Promotion Agency, Jeonju 54853, Republic of Korea)
• Byung‑Joo Kim(Department of Advanced Materials and Chemical Engineering, Jeonju University, Jeonju 55069, Republic of Korea)
• Sungjune Park(Department of Nano Convergence Engineering, Department of Polymer Nano Science and Technology, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju 54896, Republic of Korea) Corresponding author