Novel approach improves graphene-based supercapacitors
Meeting growing demand for increased storage capacity

Date:
August 3, 2020
Source:
University of Technology Sydney
Summary:
An efficient in situ pathway to generate and attach oxygen
functional groups to graphitic electrodes for supercapacitors by
inducing hydrolysis of water molecules within the gel electrolyte.



FULL STORY ========================================================================== Demand for integrated energy storage devices is growing rapidly as people
rely more and more on portable and wireless electronics, and the global
need grows for clean energy sources such as solar and wind energies.


==========================================================================
This is creating an exponential need for advanced energy storage
technologies - - reliable and maintenance-free batteries and
supercapacitors (SC) with high power density capability as storage
devices. Supercapacitors are prominent candidates to meet this need due
to their environmentally friendly and long cyclability characteristics.

Researchers from the Integrated Nano Systems Lab (INSys Lab), in the
Centre for Clean Energy Technology, have been working on a pathway to
improve the performance of supercapacitors, and meet that demand for
increased storage capacity.

Dr Mojtaba Amjadipour and Professor Francesca Iacopi (School of Data
and Electrical Engineering) and Dr Dawei Su (School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences) describe their cutting-edge work in the July 2020
issue of the journal Batteries and Supercaps. The prominence given to Graphitic-Based Solid- State Supercapacitors: Enabling Redox Reaction by
In Situ Electrochemical Treatment -- designated a Very Important Paper
with front coverage placement - - signifies just how innovative their
research is in developing alternate ways to extend storage capacity.

Dr Iacopi said the multi-disciplinary approach within the team was
beneficial in discovering what she says is a simple process.

"This research has originated from our curiosity of exploring the
operation limits of the cells, leading us to unforeseen beneficial
results. The control of this process would not have been possible without understanding the fundamental reasons for the observed improvement, using
our team's complementary expertise." Traditionally, supercapacitors
are fabricated with liquid electrolytes, which cannot be miniaturised
and can be prone to leakage, prompting research into gel-based and
solid-state electrolytes. Tailoring these electrolytes in combination
with carbon-based electrode materials such as graphene, graphene oxide,
and carbon nanotubes is of paramount importance for an enhanced energy
storage performance.

Graphene or graphitic carbon directly fabricated on silicon surfaces
offers significant potential for on-chip supercapacitors that can be
embedded into integrated systems. The research insights indicate a
simple path to significantly enhance the performance of supercapacitors
using gel-based electrolytes, which are key to the fabrication of quasi-solid-(gel) supercapacitors.

"This approach offers a new path to develop further miniaturized on-chip
energy storage systems, which are compatible with silicon electronics
and can support the power demand to operate integrated smart systems,"
Dr Iacopi said.


========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by University_of_Technology_Sydney. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Mojtaba Amjadipour, Dawei Su, Francesca Iacopi. Cover Picture:
Graphitic‐Based Solid‐State Supercapacitors: Enabling
Redox Reaction by In Situ Electrochemical Treatment (Batteries &
Supercaps 7/ 2020). Batteries & Supercaps, 2020; 3 (7): 566 DOI:
10.1002/ batt.202000129 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/08/200803092131.htm

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