Chapter 7
Nanomaterials for Supercapacitors
Supercapacitors have become a research hotspot in the field of electrochemical energy
storage due to their fast charging and discharging ability and long cycle stability.
The electrodes are the core components of supercapacitors. Therefore, enhancing
the electrochemical performance of electrode materials is the key to improve the
overall performance of a supercapacitor device. Nanostructured materials have been
widely studied as electrode materials for supercapacitors. Nanostructures can not
only provide abundant electrochemical active surfaces, but also reduce the ion transport pathway. In this chapter, we summarized and evaluated the application of nanostructured materials in supercapacitors, including synthesis method, composition,
structure, and electrochemical performance. Activated carbon, ordered mesoporous
carbon, carbon nanotube, graphene, Co 3 O 4 , MnO 2 , NiO, conductive polymer, and
MXene are discussed in detail. Some relevant prospects are also proposed.
7.1 Introduction
The large-scale exploitation and continuous consumption of fossil energy result in
more and more serious environment and climate problems. Therefore, the development and utilization of clean and renewable energy have become a common concern
issue for all countries. The use of renewable and low-carbon clean energy, such
as solar energy, wind energy, and tidal energy, is an important way to solve the
current energy crisis. However, natural conditions lack stability and greatly influence the use of renewable energy. Therefore, it is particularly important to develop
energy storage systems that can efficiently store the energy from renewable energy
resources. Among various energy storage devices, electrochemical energy storage
devices, mainly including lead-acid battery, nickel-metal hydride battery, lithiumion battery, and supercapacitor, have attracted much attention due to their good
reliability, high efficiency, ease of operation, and low or no pollution.
© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2020
H. Pang et al., Synthesis of Functional Nanomaterials for Electrochemical Energy Storage,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-7372-5_7
195
Nanomaterials for Supercapacitors
Supercapacitors have become a research hotspot in the field of electrochemical energy
storage due to their fast charging and discharging ability and long cycle stability.
The electrodes are the core components of supercapacitors. Therefore, enhancing
the electrochemical performance of electrode materials is the key to improve the
overall performance of a supercapacitor device. Nanostructured materials have been
widely studied as electrode materials for supercapacitors. Nanostructures can not
only provide abundant electrochemical active surfaces, but also reduce the ion transport pathway. In this chapter, we summarized and evaluated the application of nanostructured materials in supercapacitors, including synthesis method, composition,
structure, and electrochemical performance. Activated carbon, ordered mesoporous
carbon, carbon nanotube, graphene, Co 3 O 4 , MnO 2 , NiO, conductive polymer, and
MXene are discussed in detail. Some relevant prospects are also proposed.
7.1 Introduction
The large-scale exploitation and continuous consumption of fossil energy result in
more and more serious environment and climate problems. Therefore, the development and utilization of clean and renewable energy have become a common concern
issue for all countries. The use of renewable and low-carbon clean energy, such
as solar energy, wind energy, and tidal energy, is an important way to solve the
current energy crisis. However, natural conditions lack stability and greatly influence the use of renewable energy. Therefore, it is particularly important to develop
energy storage systems that can efficiently store the energy from renewable energy
resources. Among various energy storage devices, electrochemical energy storage
devices, mainly including lead-acid battery, nickel-metal hydride battery, lithiumion battery, and supercapacitor, have attracted much attention due to their good
reliability, high efficiency, ease of operation, and low or no pollution.
© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2020
H. Pang et al., Synthesis of Functional Nanomaterials for Electrochemical Energy Storage,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-7372-5_7
195