In the last decade, the world has made tremendous strides towards focusing on renewable energy sources rather than fossil fuels. Storing this energy, however, has posed a problem. Supercapacitors have the possibility to replace battery technology by introducing a similar energy density (capacity) as well as a much high power density (delivery speed). By incorporating higher specific surface area (SSA) hybrid carbon nanomaterials, specifically single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), we aim to increase capacitance in supercapacitors for grid-scale use. We have functionalized conductive nanostructured carbon for use as electrodes in supercapacitors. SWCNTs possess a specific surface area of ~1000 m2 g-1 which is greater than most current materials. By functionalizing CNTs with novel coordination complexes, we can further increase ion accessible SSA as well as maintain porosity. Coordination complexes, or molecular spacers, bind to and intercalate between CNTs allowing for rapid Faradaic activity and ion transport. The aromaticity and conjugation of our spacers using should influence faster transport via redox activity using electrochemistry. Aggregation is a problem with nanostructured materials, so the spacers act to prevent this. We have previously shown an increase in capacitance, energy density, and power density using molecular spacers compared to other commercially available materials (350 F g-1 +2Ru hydrazone thin film vs 34 F g-1 for standard carbon electrodes). Our molecular spacers are synthesized from earth abundant, divalent, dinuclear coordination complexes that should further improve capacitance. We will present electrochemical characterization of the complexes and the assemblies they are bound to. Spectroelectrochemistry information on the electron transfer via redox and optical absorptions will be presented. Adsorption isotherms and binding kinetics have been studied to further understand the fundamental properties of our molecular spacers. XRD analysis on the assembled thin films, will be presented. A full characterization of these novel coordination complexes (spectroscopy, SEM/TEM, XRD, 1H NMR, electrochemistry) as well as their influence on capacitance will be discussed. Developing sustainable materials for energy storage of renewable sources for will become more important as the Earth’s resources are consumed.

Functionalization of single-walled carbon nanotubes for use in supercapacitors

254th National Meeting (2017)

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