Conductive Paper Electrode for Flexible Supercapacitors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conductive paper electrodes face limitations due to the insulating nature of paper, which requires environmentally destructive chemicals and expensive carbon nanotubes for conductivity enhancement, hindering the development of flexible and high-energy-density solid-state supercapacitors.

Innovation Solution

A conductive paper electrode is created by layering carbon powder, graphite, and a nanostructural layer, including conductive nanotubes and metal oxides or polymers, over cellulose paper, with a lithium-containing quasi-ionic liquid and gel electrolyte, enabling high conductivity and flexibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If carbon nanotubes are coated on paper surface to improve conductivity, then electrical conductivity is enhanced, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical conductivityVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive carbon nanotubes with inexpensive carbon powder that can be easily deposited on paper. This principle substitutes high-cost materials with low-cost alternatives that achieve the same functional goal of providing electrical conductivity, thereby simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing costs while maintaining the conductive function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite structure by coating carbon powder on paper to form a conductive paper electrode. This composite material combines the insulating paper substrate with conductive carbon powder, achieving both mechanical support and electrical conductivity functions in a single integrated structure, thus avoiding the complexity of using pure carbon nanotube materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Quantity of substance

If conventional capacitor structures are used, then manufacturing is simple, but energy density is insufficient for next-generation portable devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy densityVSAvoidelectrode structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the porous structure of paper as the substrate for the conductive electrode. The porous nature of paper provides high surface area for carbon powder deposition, enabling increased energy storage capacity while maintaining flexibility and lightweight properties. This porous structure allows for better ion transport and electrochemical reactions, thereby enhancing energy density without significantly complicating the overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The resulting electrochemical capacitor exhibits high energy density, flexibility, and excellent cycle-stability, with improved conductivity and mechanical properties, suitable for next-generation portable electronics.

Implementation Method 1

The carbon powder layer is positioned over the paper. The graphite layer is positioned over the carbon powder layer. The nanostructural layer is positioned over the graphite layer.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDeposition: Deposition (physical)

Implementation Method 2

The electrolyte includes a lithium-containing quasi-ionic liquid and a gel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIonic conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS10468202B2Conductive paper electrode, electrochemical capacitor and method for manufacturing the same

Publication Date: 2019.11.05 NAT SYNCHROTRON RADIATION RES CENT

AI summary

A conductive paper electrode includes a paper, a carbon powder layer, a graphite layer and a nanostructural layer. The carbon powder layer is positioned over the paper. The graphite layer is positioned over the carbon powder layer. The nanostructural layer is positioned over the graphite layer. An electrochemical capacitor includes two conductive paper electrodes and an electrolyte interposed therebetween.