Activated carbon cloths have been prepared from denim cloth wastes (DCWs) through chemical
activation with H3PO4. The effect of the H3PO4/DCWs impregnation ratio and the carbonization
temperature on the porous texture, the chemical composition, the fibers morphology, and the
electrochemical performance has been studied. Low H3PO4/DCWs impregnation ratios lead to flexible
and microporous activated carbons cloths, whereas more fragile and rigid activated carbon cloths with
higher external surface area are produced upon increasing the amount of H3PO4. The increase in the
carbonization temperature allows for obtaining a more ordered and conductive carbon structure. The
activated carbon prepared at 900 ºC with a H3PO4/DCWs impregnation ratio of 0.5 (w/w) exhibits the
best performance as electric double layer capacitor. This electrode shows a specific surface area of
2016 m2 g-1 and the highest registered gravimetric capacitance (227 F g-1). Moreover, its flexibility
minimizes the ohmic resistance of the electrode, thus increasing the feasibility of working at higher
current densities than the other synthesized electrodes.
