Hidden behavior of supercapacitor materials

Date:
November 9, 2021
Source:
University of Surrey
Summary:
Researchers have developed a new analysis technique that will
help scientists improve renewable energy storage by making better
supercapacitors.



FULL STORY ========================================================================== Researchers from the University of Surrey's Advanced Technology Institute
(ATI) and the University of Sa~o Paulo have developed a new analysis
technique that will help scientists improve renewable energy storage by
making better supercapacitors. The team's new approach enables researchers
to investigate the complex inter-connected behaviour of supercapacitor electrodes made from layers of different materials.


========================================================================== Improvements in energy storage are vital if countries are to deliver
carbon reduction targets. The inherent unpredictability of energy from
solar and wind means effective storage is required to ensure consistency
in supply, and supercapacitors are seen as an important part of the
solution.

Supercapacitors could also be the answer to charging electric vehicles
much faster than is possible using lithium-ion batteries. However, more supercapacitor development is needed to enable them to effectively store
enough electricity.

Surrey's peer-reviewed paper, published in Electrochimica Acta,
explains how the research team used a cheap polymer material called
Polyaniline (PANI), which stores energy through a mechanism known as pseudocapacitance. PANI is conductive and can be used as the electrode in
a supercapacitor device, storing charge by trapping ions. To maximise
energy storage, the researchers have developed a novel method of
depositing a thin layer of PANI onto a forest of conductive carbon
nanotubes. This composite material makes an excellent supercapacitive electrode, but the fact that it is made up of different materials makes
it difficult to separate and fully understand the complex processes
which occur during charging and discharging. This is a problem across
the field of pseudocapacitor development.

To tackle this problem, the researchers adopted a technique known as the Distribution of Relaxation Times. This analysis method allows scientists
to examine complex electrode processes to separate and identify them,
making it possible to optimise fabrication methods to maximise useful
reactions and reduce reactions that damage the electrode. The technique
can also be applied to researchers using different materials in
supercapacitor and pseudocapacitor development.

Ash Stott, a postgraduate research student at the University of Surrey
who was the lead scientist on the project, said: "The future of global
energy use will depend on consumers and industry generating, storing
and using energy more efficiently, and supercapacitors will be one of
the leading technologies for intermittent storage, energy harvesting
and high-power delivery. Our work will help make that happen more
effectively." Professor Ravi Silva, Director of the ATI and principal
author, said: "Following on from world leaders pledging their support
for green energy at COP26, our work shows researchers how to accelerate
the development of high- performance materials for use as energy storage elements, a key component of solar or wind energy systems. This research
brings us one step closer to a clean, cost-effective energy future." ========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by University_of_Surrey. Note: Content
may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Ash Stott, De'cio B. de Freitas Neto, Jose M. Rosolen, Radu
A. Sporea,
S.Ravi P. Silva. Exploring the underlying kinetics of
electrodeposited PANI‐CNT composite using distribution of
relaxation times.

Electrochimica Acta, 2022; 401: 139501 DOI: 10.1016/
j.electacta.2021.139501 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/11/211109120556.htm

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