Graphenic Carbon Supercapacitor Electrodes for High Current Density
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional supercapacitors with activated carbon electrodes suffer from poor retention of specific capacitance at high current densities due to low electrical conductivity, limiting their power density.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating thermally produced graphenic carbon particles as conductive bridges between activated carbon particles in the electrode coating layers, along with a binder and optional conductive carbon black, to enhance electrical conductivity and power density.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional activated carbon electrodes are used in supercapacitors, then the specific energy is high, but the electrical conductivity is low causing poor retention of specific capacitance at high current densities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite electrode material combining activated carbon particles with graphenic carbon particles. The activated carbon provides high specific energy through its porous structure, while the graphenic carbon particles (1-10 weight percent) form conductive bridges that enhance electrical conductivity. This composite structure allows the electrode to maintain high specific capacitance at high current densities by improving electron transport pathways throughout the electrode matrix.
Solution Approach 2:
The graphenic carbon particles act as intermediary conductive elements between the activated carbon particles. These graphenic particles form a conductive network that mediates electron transport across the electrode, connecting isolated activated carbon particles and enabling efficient charge transfer at high current densities without sacrificing the high energy storage capacity of the activated carbon.
2Power
If the electrical conductivity of activated carbon electrodes is increased to improve power density, then the retention of specific capacitance at high current densities improves, but the specific energy may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by introducing graphenic carbon particles specifically at the interfaces between activated carbon particles, rather than uniformly replacing activated carbon throughout the electrode. This localized addition of conductive material at critical junction points improves electrical conductivity and power density while preserving the bulk activated carbon structure that provides high specific energy and capacitance retention.
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 use of thermally produced graphenic carbon particles significantly improves the conductivity and power density of supercapacitor electrodes, maintaining high specific capacitance at high current densities and increasing overall electrical conductivity.
Implementation Method 1
Incorporating thermally produced graphenic carbon particles as conductive bridges between activated carbon particles in the electrode coating layers, along with a binder and optional conductive carbon black, to enhance electrical conductivity and power density
Data Source
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AI summary
Supercapacitor electrodes comprising active charge supporting particles, graphenic carbon particles, and a binder are disclosed. The active charge supporting particles may comprise activated carbon. The graphenic carbon particles may be thermally produced. The electrodes may further comprise electrically conductive carbon.