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Recent Trends and Advances in Supercapacitor’s Electrode Materials and Their Applications

A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Inorganic Chemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 July 2024) | Viewed by 12058

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
School of Chemical Engineering, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, Republic of Korea
Interests: biomass-derived carbon; graphene; nanomaterials; metal oxide; metal sulfides; symmetric and asymmetric supercapacitor; flexible and wearable supercapacitor

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Guest Editor
School of Chemical Engineering, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, Republic of Korea
Interests: supercapacitors; graphene; MXenes; energy storage; mixed metal oxides
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The demand for energy storage devices is rising daily due to the tremendous development of modern technology. Even after the sources become available, most renewable energy sources are difficult to store for the requisite period. So, among the various energy storage devices, supercapacitors have been regarded as one of the most advanced and effective devices. In recent years, a wide variety of specialized electrode materials have been synthesized to develop high-performance supercapacitors with increased capacitance, energy density, and improved cycling stability. Different synthetic techniques have been applied to develop various types of supercapacitors, including flexible, wearable, hybrid, and other forms. These supercapacitor devices are projected to substantially impact the electronics sector in the near future.

This Special Issue highlights novel synthetic strategies, innovative electrode materials, and distinctive device fabrication techniques for supercapacitor applications. The issue's key feature is delivering the latest cutting-edge innovations in supercapacitor technologies. We invite all the researchers to submit their work related to supercapacitor synthesis strategies and fabrication techniques. 

Research areas of this Special Issue include but are not limited to:

  • Electrode materials;
  • 2D nanomaterials;
  • Hybrid nanomaterials;
  • Energy materials;
  • Advanced synthetic approaches;
  • Biomass-derived carbon nanomaterials;
  • Microporous and mesoporous materials.

Dr. Ganesh Dhakal
Dr. Sumanta Sahoo
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • biomass-derived carbon
  • graphene and its composites
  • nanomaterials
  • metal oxide
  • metal sulfides
  • symmetric and asymmetric supercapacitor
  • flexible and wearable supercapacitor

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 20802 KiB  
Article
Hydrothermal Synthesis of Nickel Oxide and Its Application in the Additive Manufacturing of Planar Nanostructures
by Darya A. Dudorova, Tatiana L. Simonenko, Nikolay P. Simonenko, Philipp Yu. Gorobtsov, Ivan A. Volkov, Elizaveta P. Simonenko and Nikolay T. Kuznetsov
Molecules 2023, 28(6), 2515; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28062515 - 9 Mar 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3148
Abstract
The hydrothermal synthesis of nickel oxide in the presence of triethanolamine was studied. Furthermore, the relationship between the synthesis conditions, thermal behavior, crystal structure features, phase composition and microstructure of semi-products, and the target oxide nanopowders was established. The thermal behavior of the [...] Read more.
The hydrothermal synthesis of nickel oxide in the presence of triethanolamine was studied. Furthermore, the relationship between the synthesis conditions, thermal behavior, crystal structure features, phase composition and microstructure of semi-products, and the target oxide nanopowders was established. The thermal behavior of the semi-products was studied using a simultaneous thermal analysis (in particular, using one that involved thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry, TGA/DSC). An X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed that varying the triethanolamine and nickel chloride concentration in the reaction system can govern the formation of α- and β-Ni(OH)2-based semi-products that contain Ni(HCO3)2 or Ni2(CO3)(OH)2 as additional components. The set of functional groups in the powders was determined using a Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy analysis. Using microextrusion printing, a composite NiO—(CeO2)0.80(Sm2O3)0.20 anode film was fabricated. Using XRD, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM) analyses, it was demonstrated that the crystal structure, dispersity, and microstructure character of the obtained material correspond to the initial nanopowders. Using Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM) and scanning capacitance microscopy (SCM), the local electrophysical properties of the printed composite film were examined. The value of its conductivity was evaluated using the four-probe method on a direct current in the temperature range of 300–650 °C. The activation energy for the 500–650 °C region, which is of most interest in the context of intermediate-temperature SOFCs working temperatures, has been estimated. Full article
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18 pages, 5053 KiB  
Article
Supercapacitor Performance of Magnetite Nanoparticles Enhanced by a Catecholate Dispersant: Experiment and Theory
by Coulton Boucher, Oleg Rubel and Igor Zhitomirsky
Molecules 2023, 28(4), 1562; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28041562 - 6 Feb 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1946
Abstract
The full potential of Fe3O4 for supercapacitor applications can be achieved by addressing challenges in colloidal fabrication of high active mass electrodes. Exceptional adsorption properties of catecholate-type 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHBA) molecules are explored for surface modification of Fe3O [...] Read more.
The full potential of Fe3O4 for supercapacitor applications can be achieved by addressing challenges in colloidal fabrication of high active mass electrodes. Exceptional adsorption properties of catecholate-type 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHBA) molecules are explored for surface modification of Fe3O4 nanoparticles to enhance their colloidal dispersion as verified by sedimentation test results and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy measurements. Electrodes prepared in the presence of DHBA show nearly double capacitance at slow charging rates as compared to the control samples without the dispersant or with benzoic acid as a non-catecholate dispersant. Such electrodes with active mass of 40 mg cm−2 show a capacitance of 4.59 F cm−2 from cyclic voltammetry data at a scan rate of 2 mV s−1 and 4.72 F cm−2 from galvanostatic charge–discharge data at a current density of 3 mA cm−2. Experimental results are corroborated by density functional theory (DFT) analysis of adsorption behaviour of DHBA and benzoic acid at the (001) surface of Fe3O4. The strongest adsorption energy (ca. −1.8 eV per molecule) is due to the catechol group of DHBA. DFT analysis provides understanding of the basic mechanism of DHBA adsorption on the surface of nanoparticles and opens the way for fabrication of electrodes with high capacitance. Full article
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23 pages, 6132 KiB  
Article
Semi-Polycrystalline Polyaniline-Activated Carbon Composite for Supercapacitor Application
by Neelima Mahato, T. V. M. Sreekanth, Kisoo Yoo and Jonghoon Kim
Molecules 2023, 28(4), 1520; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28041520 - 4 Feb 2023
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 2172
Abstract
We report on the synthesis of activated carbon-semi-polycrystalline polyaniline (SPani-AC) composite material using in-situ oxidative polymerization of aniline on the carbon surface in an aqueous HCl medium at an elevated temperature of 60 °C. The electroactive polymeric composite material exhibits a uniformly distributed [...] Read more.
We report on the synthesis of activated carbon-semi-polycrystalline polyaniline (SPani-AC) composite material using in-situ oxidative polymerization of aniline on the carbon surface in an aqueous HCl medium at an elevated temperature of 60 °C. The electroactive polymeric composite material exhibits a uniformly distributed spindle-shaped morphology in scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and well-defined crystallographic lattices in the high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectrum reveals sharp peaks characteristic of crystalline polyaniline. The characteristic chemical properties of polyaniline are recorded using laser Raman spectroscopy. The cyclic voltammetry curves exhibit features of surface-redox pseudocapacitance. The specific capacitance calculated for the material is 507 F g−1 at the scan rate of 10 mV s−1. The symmetrical two-electrodes device exhibits a specific capacitance of 45 F g−1 at a current density of 5 A g−1. The capacitive retention calculated was found to be 96% up to 4500 continuous charge–discharge cycles and observed to be gradually declining at the end of 10,000 cycles. On the other hand, Coulombic efficiency was observed to be retained up to 85% until 4500 continuous charge–discharge cycles which declines up to 72% at the end of 10,000 cycles. The article also presents a detailed description of material synthesis, the formation of polyaniline (Pani) chains, and the role of material architecture in the performance as surface redox supercapacitor electrode. Full article
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Review

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33 pages, 6212 KiB  
Review
Biopolymers-Derived Materials for Supercapacitors: Recent Trends, Challenges, and Future Prospects
by Eugene Sefa Appiah, Perseverance Dzikunu, Nashiru Mahadeen, Daniel Nframah Ampong, Kwadwo Mensah-Darkwa, Anuj Kumar, Ram K. Gupta and Mark Adom-Asamoah
Molecules 2022, 27(19), 6556; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27196556 - 3 Oct 2022
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3714
Abstract
Supercapacitors may be able to store more energy while maintaining fast charging times; however, they need low-cost and sophisticated electrode materials. Developing innovative and effective carbon-based electrode materials from naturally occurring chemical components is thus critical for supercapacitor development. In this context, biopolymer-derived [...] Read more.
Supercapacitors may be able to store more energy while maintaining fast charging times; however, they need low-cost and sophisticated electrode materials. Developing innovative and effective carbon-based electrode materials from naturally occurring chemical components is thus critical for supercapacitor development. In this context, biopolymer-derived porous carbon electrode materials for energy storage applications have gained considerable momentum due to their wide accessibility, high porosity, cost-effectiveness, low weight, biodegradability, and environmental friendliness. Moreover, the carbon structures derived from biopolymeric materials possess unique compositional, morphological, and electrochemical properties. This review aims to emphasize (i) the comprehensive concepts of biopolymers and supercapacitors to approach smart carbon-based materials for supercapacitors, (ii) synthesis strategies for biopolymer derived nanostructured carbons, (iii) recent advancements in biopolymer derived nanostructured carbons for supercapacitors, and (iv) challenges and future prospects from the viewpoint of green chemistry-based energy storage. This study is likely to be useful to the scientific community interested in the design of low-cost, efficient, and green electrode materials for supercapacitors as well as various types of electrocatalysis for energy production. Full article
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