Electrochemical double layer capacitors (EDLCs) are energy storage devices with high power densities and lifetimes. Nanostructured carbon materials (such as graphene and microporous carbon) and ionic liquids (ILs) have garnered considerable interest as candidates for the electrode and electrolyte, respectively. The total interfacial capacitance (CT) of graphene-like EDLCs can be determined from both electrode and electric double layer capacitances (CD) which are in series. Furthermore, our recent studies demonstrate that the electrode capacitance (CQ), and thereby CT, can be significantly enhanced as a result of changes to the electronic structure through chemical functionalization, doping, and/or structural deformation. In this talk, we will present how the structural and chemical disorder in nanostructured carbon electrodes modifies the electronic structure, thereby improving the CQ as well as the EDL structure and CD at the carbon/IL interfaces. We will also discuss design strategies to further improve the performance of nanostructured carbon-based EDLCs.

Optimal design of carbon-based nanomaterials for high-performance supercapacitors

254th National Meeting (2017)

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