Gel Electrolyte Supercapacitor Electrodes for High Capacitance Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing supercapacitors face challenges in achieving high specific capacity, specific energy, rate capability, and cycle performance with lower coulombic efficiency, particularly when using molybdenum oxide and carbon nanomaterials as electrodes.
Innovation Solution
A nanocomposite electrode is developed comprising a substrate coated with a mixture of a binding compound, conductive additive, and molybdenum-doped carbon material, such as molybdenum-doped graphene or carbon nanotubes, which is assembled into a symmetric supercapacitor device with a polyol-based electrolyte to enhance performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If molybdenum oxide and carbon nanomaterials are used as electrodes, then energy density is improved, but cycle performance and coulombic efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials by combining molybdenum oxide nanoparticles with carbon nanotubes and graphene to form a hybrid electrode structure. This composite approach allows the electrode to achieve high energy density from molybdenum oxide while the carbon materials provide structural stability and conductivity that maintain cycle performance and coulombic efficiency over thousands of cycles.
2Quantity of substance
If molybdenum oxide and carbon nanomaterials are used as electrodes, then specific capacity is improved, but rate capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a hierarchical structure where molybdenum oxide nanoparticles are distributed on carbon nanotube networks with graphene sheets. This local arrangement ensures that high-capacity molybdenum oxide regions are connected through conductive carbon pathways, allowing both high specific capacity and fast electron/ion transport for good rate capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The porous structure of the carbon nanotube and graphene framework provides efficient ion transport channels that penetrate throughout the electrode. This porosity allows electrolyte ions to rapidly access active molybdenum oxide sites, maintaining high rate capability while preserving high specific capacity through increased electrochemically active surface area.
3Use of energy by moving object
If molybdenum oxide and carbon nanomaterials are used as electrodes, then specific energy is improved, but mechanical stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The composite structure combines brittle high-energy-density molybdenum oxide with flexible carbon nanotubes and graphene. The carbon framework acts as a mechanical support that prevents pulverization and maintains structural integrity during charge-discharge cycles, while the molybdenum oxide provides high specific energy. This composite approach resolves the contradiction between energy density and mechanical stability.
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 nanocomposite electrodes demonstrate high specific capacitance and energy density, maintaining at least 90% of initial capacitance after 10,000 charge-discharge cycles, with applications in flexible and wearable electronic devices.
Implementation Method 1
molybdenum oxide has many benefits such as, reducing charge-discharge time, generating a direct current pathway, growing the electrolyte-electrode contact region, and limiting mechanical degradation
Implementation Method 2
New insights into the double layer structure from impedance measurements: Implications for biological systems
Data Source
AI summary
A nanocomposite electrode and a supercapacitor device including said nanocomposite electrode. The nanocomposite electrode includes a mixture of at least one binding compound, at least one conductive additive, and at least one molybdenum doped carbon material coated onto a substrate. The supercapacitor device includes two nanocomposite electrodes disposed facing one another, wherein the substrate of each nanocomposite electrode is coated with the mixture on an inside facing surface and the outer surfaces of the nanocomposite electrodes are not coated with the mixture, and the inside facing surfaces are separated by at least one electrolyte.