Amino functionalization optimizes potential distribution: A facile pathway towards high-energy carbon-based aqueous supercapacitors

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Abstract

Resolving the mismatch between the practical potential window (PPW) and the available capacitive potential window of supercapacitor electrodes provides a feasible way to expand the operating voltage of supercapacitors, which further boosts energy density. Here, our research unveils a unique approach to manually control the PPW of the corresponding carbon-based supercapacitors (CSCs) by rational functionalization with amino groups. The extra pair of electrons from amino N atoms naturally adsorbs cations in the electrolyte, which rationalizes the surface charge of the carbon electrode and adjusts the PPW. A remarkable voltage expansion is achieved for CSCs, from 1.4 V to its maximum limit, 1.8 V, correspondently resulting in an approximately 1-fold increase in the energy density. Importantly, such a simple strategy endows our CSCs with an outstanding maximum energy density of 7.7 mWh cm−3, which is not only among the best values reported for thin-film CSCs but also comparable to those reported for Li thin-film batteries. These encouraging results are believed to bring fundamental insights into the nature of potential control in energy storage devices.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number103987
JournalNano energy
Volume65
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2019
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

ORCID /0000-0002-0211-0778/work/196677282

Keywords

Keywords

  • Energy density, Operating voltage, Potential distribution, Supercapacitors, Surface functionalization