In this critical review, metal oxides-based materials for electrochemical supercapacitor (ES) electrodes are reviewed in detail together with a brief review of carbon materials and conducting polymers. Their advantages, disadvantages, and performance in ES electrodes are discussed through extensive analysis of the literature, and new trends in material development are also reviewed. Two important future research directions are indicated and summarized, based on results published in the literature: the development of composite and nanostructured ES materials to overcome the major challenge posed by the low energy density of ES (476 references).

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A review of electrode materials for electrochemical supercapacitors

[Liu, Chang; Li, Feng; Ma, Lai-Peng; Cheng, Hui-Ming] Chinese Acad Sci, Inst Met Res, Shenyang Natl Lab Mat Sci, Shenyang 110016, Peoples R China.;Cheng, HM (reprint author), Chinese Acad Sci, Inst Met Res, Shenyang Natl Lab Mat Sci, 72 Wenhua Rd, Shenyang 110016, Peoples R China;cheng@imr.ac.cn

Advanced Materials for Energy Storage

Carbon materials for the electrochemical storage of energy in capacitors

Department of Materials Science, University of Patras, 26504 Rio Patras, Greece, Theoretical and Physical Chemistry Institute, National Hellenic Research Foundation, 48 Vass. Constantinou Avenue, 116 35 Athens, Greece, Institut de Biologie Moleculaire et Cellulaire, UPR9021 CNRS, Immunologie et Chimie Therapeutiques, 67084 Strasbourg, France, and Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Universita di Trieste, Piazzale Europa 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy

Chemistry of Carbon Nanotubes

Carbon properties and their role in supercapacitors

Electrochemical characteristics of supercapacitors built from multiwalled carbon nanotubes electrodes have been investigated and correlated with microtexture and elemental composition of the materials. Capacitance has been estimated by cyclovoltammetry at different scan rates from 1 to 10 mV/s, galvanostatic discharge, and impedance spectroscopy in the frequency range from 100 kHz to 1 mHz. The presence of mesopores due to the central canal and/or entanglement is at the origin of an easy accessibility of the ions to the electrode/electrolyte interface for charging the electrical double layer. Pure electrostatic attraction of ions as well as quick pseudofaradaic reactions have been detected upon varying surface functionality. The values of specific capacitance varied from 4 to 135 F/g, depending on the type of nanotubes or/and their posttreatments. Even with moderate specific surface area (below 470 m2/g), due to their accessible mesopores, multiwalled carbon nanotubes represent attractive materials for su...

Supercapacitor electrodes from multiwalled carbon nanotubes

Supercapacitors from nanotubes/polypyrrole composites

Multiwalled nanotubes (MWNTs) composites with electrodeposited polypyrrole (PPy) have been proposed as electrode materials for supercapacitors. The total capacitance of the nanocomposite combines a pure electrostatic attraction of ions and the electrochemical redox reactions of the -conjugated system of PPy. A synergy effect has been found between the two components of the nanocomposite. The mesoporous network of the nanotubular material supplies very good transport conditions for ions, and PPy enhances its conducting properties. A high ability of charge accumulation in such volumetric capacitor was obtained with capacitance values of 165 F/g of material.

Synergy of components in supercapacitors based on nanotube/polypyrrole composites

Different types of nanotubular carbon materials have been used for storage of energy in supercapacitors. Application of various multi-walled and single walled nanotubes as electrodes for capacitors proved the high ability of these materials for the accumulation of charges in electrode/electrolyte interface due to their unique mesoporosity. Apart from electrostatic attraction, pseudocapacitance reactions have been observed because of functionalization of nanotubes, deposition of conducting polypyrrole or presence of metallic particles. The values of capacitance obtained from modified nanotube electrodes varied from 20 to 170 F/g.

Valerie Bertagna

Papers

Supercapacitor electrodes from multiwalled carbon nanotubes

Supercapacitors from nanotubes/polypyrrole composites

Synergy of components in supercapacitors based on nanotube/polypyrrole composites

Storage of energy in supercapacitors from nanotubes