Activated carbons with high micro-/meso-porosity derived from biomass are increasingly popular as sustainable materials. However, these carbons often struggle with low carbon content and limited structural stability. Here, we present Mongolian anthracite-based carbons synthesized via carbonization and chemical activation. Structural analysis shows that Act-MRA samples develop plate-like morphologies with reduced particle size and greater porosity as KOH content increases. The Act-MRA samples have a disordered carbon structure with small graphitic domains, even at higher KOH ratios without significant crystal defects. Notably, Act -MRA3 displays a large specific surface area and high pore volume, with welldeveloped micropores (7–20 Å) and mesopores (20–50 Å) that expand as KOH ratios rise. Electrochemical tests indicate that Act -MRA3 achieves high specific capacitance (220.6 F/g at 5 mV/s) and rate retention (~ 80% at 300 mV/s), owing to its optimized pore structure and enhanced ion transport. These findings underscore the importance of tailored pore structures and defect engineering in boosting activated carbon performance for energy storage.

Control of microspores of anthracite-based activated carbons for high-performance capacitors
    Abstract
    1 Introduction
    2 Materials and methods
        2.1 Fabrication of porous activated carbons from chitosan precursor
        2.2 Characterizations
        2.3 Electrochemical characterization
    3 Results and discussion
        3.1 Synthesis and morphology
        3.2 Micro-structure analysis
        3.3 Textural properties
        3.4 Electrochemical properties
            3.4.1 Capacitor performance
            3.4.2 Electrochemical performance mechanism
    4 Conclusion
    5 Institutional review board statement
    6 Informed consent statement
    References

• Taeyoung Park(Division of Advanced Materials Engineering, Center for Advanced Materials and Parts of Powders, Kongju National University, Cheonan‑Si 31080, Republic of Korea)
• Jang Hee Kim(Division of Advanced Materials Engineering, Center for Advanced Materials and Parts of Powders, Kongju National University, Cheonan‑Si 31080, Republic of Korea)
• Hyeon Ji Jeong(Division of Advanced Materials Engineering, Center for Advanced Materials and Parts of Powders, Kongju National University, Cheonan‑Si 31080, Republic of Korea)
• Kwang Hyun Park(Division of Advanced Materials Engineering, Center for Advanced Materials and Parts of Powders, Kongju National University, Cheonan‑Si 31080, Republic of Korea)
• Sung Ho Song(Division of Advanced Materials Engineering, Center for Advanced Materials and Parts of Powders, Kongju National University, Cheonan‑Si 31080, Republic of Korea)
• Jungmo Kim(Nano Hybrid Technology Research Center, Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute (KERI), Changwon 51543, Republic of Korea) Corresponding author
• Wang‑Geun Shim(Department of Chemical Engineering, Sunchon National University, Suncheon‑Si 57922, Republic of Korea)