Carbon-based materials as supercapacitor electrodes
TL;DR: This tutorial review provides a brief summary of recent research progress on carbon-based electrode materials forsupercapacitors, as well as the importance of electrolytes in the development of supercapacitor technology.
Abstract: This tutorial review provides a brief summary of recent research progress on carbon-based electrode materials for supercapacitors, as well as the importance of electrolytes in the development of supercapacitor technology. The basic principles of supercapacitors, the characteristics and performances of various nanostructured carbon-based electrode materials are discussed. Aqueous and non-aqueous electrolyte solutions used in supercapacitors are compared. The trend on future development of high-power and high-energy supercapacitors is analyzed.
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TL;DR: The key to success was the ability to make full utilization of the highest intrinsic surface capacitance and specific surface area of single-layer graphene by preparing curved graphene sheets that will not restack face-to-face.
Abstract: A supercapacitor with graphene-based electrodes was found to exhibit a specific energy density of 85.6 Wh/kg at room temperature and 136 Wh/kg at 80 °C (all based on the total electrode weight), measured at a current density of 1 A/g. These energy density values are comparable to that of the Ni metal hydride battery, but the supercapacitor can be charged or discharged in seconds or minutes. The key to success was the ability to make full utilization of the highest intrinsic surface capacitance and specific surface area of single-layer graphene by preparing curved graphene sheets that will not restack face-to-face. The curved morphology enables the formation of mesopores accessible to and wettable by environmentally benign ionic liquids capable of operating at a voltage >4 V.
2,852 citations
TL;DR: In order to further improve the power and energy densities of the capacitors, carbon-based composites combining electrical double layer capacitors (EDLC)-capacitance and pseudo-Capacitance have been explored and show not only enhanced capacitance, but as well good cyclability.
Abstract: Carbon materials have attracted intense interests as electrode materials for electrochemical capacitors, because of their high surface area, electrical conductivity, chemical stability and low cost. Activated carbons produced by different activation processes from various precursors are the most widely used electrodes. Recently, with the rapid growth of nanotechnology, nanostructured electrode materials, such as carbon nanotubes and template-synthesized porous carbons have been developed. Their unique electrical properties and well controlled pore sizes and structures facilitate fast ion and electron transportation. In order to further improve the power and energy densities of the capacitors, carbon-based composites combining electrical double layer capacitors (EDLC)-capacitance and pseudo-capacitance have been explored. They show not only enhanced capacitance, but as well good cyclability. In this review, recent progresses on carbon-based electrode materials are summarized, including activated carbons, carbon nanotubes, and template-synthesized porous carbons, in particular mesoporous carbons. Their advantages and disadvantages as electrochemical capacitors are discussed. At the end of this review, the future trends of electrochemical capacitors with high energy and power are proposed.
2,497 citations
TL;DR: The principles and methods of designing and optimizing electrolytes for ES performance and application are highlighted through a comprehensive analysis of the literature, and challenges in producing high-performing electrolytes are analyzed.
Abstract: Electrolytes have been identified as some of the most influential components in the performance of electrochemical supercapacitors (ESs), which include: electrical double-layer capacitors, pseudocapacitors and hybrid supercapacitors. This paper reviews recent progress in the research and development of ES electrolytes. The electrolytes are classified into several categories, including: aqueous, organic, ionic liquids, solid-state or quasi-solid-state, as well as redox-active electrolytes. Effects of electrolyte properties on ES performance are discussed in detail. The principles and methods of designing and optimizing electrolytes for ES performance and application are highlighted through a comprehensive analysis of the literature. Interaction among the electrolytes, electro-active materials and inactive components (current collectors, binders, and separators) is discussed. The challenges in producing high-performing electrolytes are analyzed. Several possible research directions to overcome these challenges are proposed for future efforts, with the main aim of improving ESs' energy density without sacrificing existing advantages (e.g., a high power density and a long cycle-life) (507 references).
2,480 citations
01 Nov 2000
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors compared the power density characteristics of ultracapacitors and batteries with respect to the same charge/discharge efficiency, and showed that the battery can achieve energy densities of 10 Wh/kg or higher with a power density of 1.2 kW/kg.
Abstract: The science and technology of ultracapacitors are reviewed for a number of electrode materials, including carbon, mixed metal oxides, and conducting polymers. More work has been done using microporous carbons than with the other materials and most of the commercially available devices use carbon electrodes and an organic electrolytes. The energy density of these devices is 3¯5 Wh/kg with a power density of 300¯500 W/kg for high efficiency (90¯95%) charge/discharges. Projections of future developments using carbon indicate that energy densities of 10 Wh/kg or higher are likely with power densities of 1¯2 kW/kg. A key problem in the fabrication of these advanced devices is the bonding of the thin electrodes to a current collector such the contact resistance is less than 0.1 cm2. Special attention is given in the paper to comparing the power density characteristics of ultracapacitors and batteries. The comparisons should be made at the same charge/discharge efficiency.
2,437 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the technologies and working principles of different materials used in supercapacitors are explained, together with brief explanations of their properties, such as specific surface area and capacitance values.
Abstract: In this review, the technologies and working principles of different materials used in supercapacitors are explained. The most important supercapacitor active materials are discussed from both research and application perspectives, together with brief explanations of their properties, such as specific surface area and capacitance values. A review of different supercapacitor electrolytes is given and their positive and negative features are discussed. Finally, cell configurations are considered, pointing out the advantages and drawbacks of each configuration.
2,082 citations
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TL;DR: Owing to its unusual electronic spectrum, graphene has led to the emergence of a new paradigm of 'relativistic' condensed-matter physics, where quantum relativistic phenomena can now be mimicked and tested in table-top experiments.
Abstract: Graphene is a rapidly rising star on the horizon of materials science and condensed-matter physics. This strictly two-dimensional material exhibits exceptionally high crystal and electronic quality, and, despite its short history, has already revealed a cornucopia of new physics and potential applications, which are briefly discussed here. Whereas one can be certain of the realness of applications only when commercial products appear, graphene no longer requires any further proof of its importance in terms of fundamental physics. Owing to its unusual electronic spectrum, graphene has led to the emergence of a new paradigm of 'relativistic' condensed-matter physics, where quantum relativistic phenomena, some of which are unobservable in high-energy physics, can now be mimicked and tested in table-top experiments. More generally, graphene represents a conceptually new class of materials that are only one atom thick, and, on this basis, offers new inroads into low-dimensional physics that has never ceased to surprise and continues to provide a fertile ground for applications.
35,293 citations
TL;DR: This work has shown that combination of pseudo-capacitive nanomaterials, including oxides, nitrides and polymers, with the latest generation of nanostructured lithium electrodes has brought the energy density of electrochemical capacitors closer to that of batteries.
Abstract: Electrochemical capacitors, also called supercapacitors, store energy using either ion adsorption (electrochemical double layer capacitors) or fast surface redox reactions (pseudo-capacitors). They can complement or replace batteries in electrical energy storage and harvesting applications, when high power delivery or uptake is needed. A notable improvement in performance has been achieved through recent advances in understanding charge storage mechanisms and the development of advanced nanostructured materials. The discovery that ion desolvation occurs in pores smaller than the solvated ions has led to higher capacitance for electrochemical double layer capacitors using carbon electrodes with subnanometre pores, and opened the door to designing high-energy density devices using a variety of electrolytes. Combination of pseudo-capacitive nanomaterials, including oxides, nitrides and polymers, with the latest generation of nanostructured lithium electrodes has brought the energy density of electrochemical capacitors closer to that of batteries. The use of carbon nanotubes has further advanced micro-electrochemical capacitors, enabling flexible and adaptable devices to be made. Mathematical modelling and simulation will be the key to success in designing tomorrow's high-energy and high-power devices.
14,213 citations
TL;DR: This review describes some recent developments in the discovery of nanoelectrolytes and nanoeLECTrodes for lithium batteries, fuel cells and supercapacitors and the advantages and disadvantages of the nanoscale in materials design for such devices.
Abstract: New materials hold the key to fundamental advances in energy conversion and storage, both of which are vital in order to meet the challenge of global warming and the finite nature of fossil fuels. Nanomaterials in particular offer unique properties or combinations of properties as electrodes and electrolytes in a range of energy devices. This review describes some recent developments in the discovery of nanoelectrolytes and nanoelectrodes for lithium batteries, fuel cells and supercapacitors. The advantages and disadvantages of the nanoscale in materials design for such devices are highlighted.
8,157 citations
TL;DR: Batteries, fuel cells and supercapacitors belong to the same family of energy conversion devices and are needed to service the wide energy requirements of various devices and systems.
Abstract: Electrochemical energy conversion devices are pervasive in our daily lives. Batteries, fuel cells and supercapacitors belong to the same family of energy conversion devices. They are all based on the fundamentals of electrochemical thermodynamics and kinetics. All three are needed to service the wide energy requirements of various devices and systems. Neither batteries, fuel cells nor electrochemical capacitors, by themselves, can serve all applications.
6,230 citations
Book•
14 Feb 2013
TL;DR: In this paper, the double-layer and surface functionalities at Carbon were investigated and the double layer at Capacitor Electrode Interfaces: its structure and Capacitance.
Abstract: 1 Introduction and Historical Perspective 2 Similarities and Differences between Supercapacitors and Batteries for Electrical Energy Storage 3 Energetics and Elements of Kinetics of Electrode Processes 4 Elements of Electrostatics Involved in Treatment of Double-Layers and Ions at Capacitors Electrode Interfaces 5 Behavior of Dielectrics in Capacitors and Theories of Dielectric Polarization 6 The Double-Layer at Capacitor Electrode Interfaces: Its Structure and Capacitance 7 Theoretical Treatment and Modeling of the Double-Layer at Electrode Interfaces 8 Behavior of the Double-Layer in Non-Aqueous Electrolytes and Non-Aqueous Electrolyte Capacitors 9 The Double-Layer and Surface Functionalities at Carbon 10 Electrochemical Capacitors Based on Pseudocapacitance 11 The Electrochemical Behavior of Ruthenium Oxide (RuO2) as a Material for Electrochemical Capacitors 12 Capacitance Behavior of Films Conducting, Electrochemically Reactive Polymers 13 The Electrolyte Factor in Supercapacitor Design and Performance: Conductivity, Ion-Pairing and Solvation 14 Electrochemical Behavior at Porous Electrodes Applications to Capacitors 15 Energy-Density and Power-Density of Electrical Energy Storage Devices 16 AC Impedance Behavior of Electrochemical Capacitors and Other Electrochemical Systems 17 Treatments of Impedance Behavior of Various Circuits and Modeling of Double-Layer Capacitor Frequency Response 18 Self-Discharge of Electrochemical Capacitors in Relation to that of at Batteries 19 Technology Development 20 Patent Survey
4,908 citations