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Electrochemical Supercapacitors for Energy Storage and Delivery
materials) and electrolytes (organic and ionic liquids). Most recent computational studies focused on the effects of pore sizes on double-layer capacitance.
Empirical evidence suggests that pores smaller than the sizes of solvated
ion species can contribute to capacitance. This indicates a clear lack of understanding of ion desolvation, transport, and adsorption in micropores. Density
functional theory has been applied to these systems to seek insight into the
specific mechanisms. Drastically different charge storage mechanisms were
determined for pore sizes in different size regimes (microporous, mesoporous, and macroporous).
Studies of this nature can reveal fundamental information that will be
invaluable for designing new electrode materials. Moreover, the type of electrolyte and ion species utilized, along with varying compatibilities with different electrode materials, will have significant effects on ES performance.
Increased understanding of the electrolyte dynamics of a system will allow
the design of novel electrolytes with enhanced ion transport properties and
molecular interactions at the electrode interfaces, resulting in significantly
improved performance.
9.6 Future Perspectives and Research Directions
Continuous progress in the field of ES devices has been realized in recent
years and must continue if we are to bridge the gap between traditional
capacitor devices and conventional batteries. The development of unique
nanostructured electrode materials such as porous carbon, pseudocapacitive, and composite electrodes is a big step toward continuous improvement. Investigations of the utilization of organic and ionic liquid electrolytes
should continue so that we can further increase the operating voltage stabilities of ES devices and improve energy storage capabilities.
These approaches will provide the opportunities to investigate new system
configurations of various combinations of electrode materials, electrolytes,
and their constituents. Investigations should be supplemented by detailed
computational approaches to obtain further insights into the molecular scale
behaviors of these systems and provide fundamental knowledge to aid in the
designs of novel component materials. Steadily increasing the energy storage and cyclability of these devices while reducing costs will significantly
increase their commercial viability. The following future research directions
are suggested:
1. Development and investigation of active carbon electrode materials with tunable morphologies and pore structures with optimized
electrolyte compatibilities
Electrochemical Supercapacitors for Energy Storage and Delivery
materials) and electrolytes (organic and ionic liquids). Most recent computational studies focused on the effects of pore sizes on double-layer capacitance.
Empirical evidence suggests that pores smaller than the sizes of solvated
ion species can contribute to capacitance. This indicates a clear lack of understanding of ion desolvation, transport, and adsorption in micropores. Density
functional theory has been applied to these systems to seek insight into the
specific mechanisms. Drastically different charge storage mechanisms were
determined for pore sizes in different size regimes (microporous, mesoporous, and macroporous).
Studies of this nature can reveal fundamental information that will be
invaluable for designing new electrode materials. Moreover, the type of electrolyte and ion species utilized, along with varying compatibilities with different electrode materials, will have significant effects on ES performance.
Increased understanding of the electrolyte dynamics of a system will allow
the design of novel electrolytes with enhanced ion transport properties and
molecular interactions at the electrode interfaces, resulting in significantly
improved performance.
9.6 Future Perspectives and Research Directions
Continuous progress in the field of ES devices has been realized in recent
years and must continue if we are to bridge the gap between traditional
capacitor devices and conventional batteries. The development of unique
nanostructured electrode materials such as porous carbon, pseudocapacitive, and composite electrodes is a big step toward continuous improvement. Investigations of the utilization of organic and ionic liquid electrolytes
should continue so that we can further increase the operating voltage stabilities of ES devices and improve energy storage capabilities.
These approaches will provide the opportunities to investigate new system
configurations of various combinations of electrode materials, electrolytes,
and their constituents. Investigations should be supplemented by detailed
computational approaches to obtain further insights into the molecular scale
behaviors of these systems and provide fundamental knowledge to aid in the
designs of novel component materials. Steadily increasing the energy storage and cyclability of these devices while reducing costs will significantly
increase their commercial viability. The following future research directions
are suggested:
1. Development and investigation of active carbon electrode materials with tunable morphologies and pore structures with optimized
electrolyte compatibilities