Towards the selective modification of soft-templated mesoporous carbon materials by elemental fluorine for energy storage devices

Graphite fluoride is classified into (CF)n and (C2F)n types based on its structure and composition. The former (CF)n has been widely prepared and commercially utilized as electrodes in primary lithium ion batteries (LIBs). Porous electrodes, i.e. templated mesoporous carbons, can greatly improve first Coulombic efficiencies. For achieving the highest discharge potentials and rate capabilities, the extent of fluorination reactions and the retention of a conductive carbon backbone are required. Hence, the choice of the starting carbon nanomaterial and of the fluorination conditions is detrimental to the design of future energy storage and conversion devices, namely LIBs and pseudosupercapacitors.