When the temperature dropped to -30 centigrade, the electrochemical performance of the supercapacitor, which is usually significantly degraded, might be improved rapidly to the level of space temperature under solar irradiation at light intensities of 1.0 kW m-2. After the temperature of electrodes was raised, the optimized pore structure and the increased electrolyte ion diffusion rate increased the energy storage capability by 4.8 times (specific capacitance and energy density reach 2755.2 mF cm-2 and 21.55 mWh cm-3, respectively).
It remains an obstacle to develop electrode products with both excellent solar-thermal properties and high energy storage capacity.
In this research study, researchers prepared graphene movies with three-dimensional porous structures through laser-induction innovation. They composited the Polypyrrole consistently composited into the graphene network by pulse electrodeposition. Graphene/polypyrrole composite electrodes were obtained and a new kind of solar-thermally boosted supercapacitor was thus constructed.
This supercapacitor has numerous advantages. When the temperature level dropped to -30 centigrade, the electrochemical efficiency of the supercapacitor, which is generally badly broken down, could be improved rapidly to the level of room temperature level under solar irradiation at light intensities of 1.0 kW m-2. Meanwhile, at room temperature level (15 ° C), the surface temperature of the gadgets increased by 45 ° C under solar irradiation at light intensities of 1.0 kW m-2.
Dr. LI Nian, a member of the research study group, discussed the factor. After the temperature level of electrodes was raised, the enhanced pore structure and the increased electrolyte ion diffusion rate increased the energy storage capability by 4.8 times (specific capacitance and energy density reach 2755.2 mF cm-2 and 21.55 mWh cm-3, respectively). In addition, since the strong electrolyte was well safeguarded, the capacitance retention rate of the supercapacitor was still as high as 85.8% after 10,000 times of charging and releasing.
This work offered a new option for the low temperature issue of supercapacitors and developing high energy density gadgets.
Reference: “Enhancing the energy storage capacity of graphene supercapacitors by means of solar heating” by Xinling Yu, Nian Li, Shudong Zhang, Cui Liu, Liqing Chen, Min Xi, Yanping Song, Sarmad Ali, Obaid Iqbal, Mingyong Han, Changlong Jiang and Zhenyang Wang, 21 December 2021, Journal of Materials Chemistry A.DOI: 10.1039/ D1TA09222G.
This work was supported by the National Key R&D Project of China, the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the Anhui Provincial Science and Technology Major Project, and the Anhui Provincial Key R&D Program.
Schematic diagram of producing procedure for the solar-thermal MSC and their energy storage performance under various light intensities. Credit: LI Nian
Prof. WANG Zhenyangs research study group from Hefei Institutes of Physical Science (HFIPS) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) has actually improved the energy storage capability of graphene supercapacitors through solar heating.
Related research outcomes were released in the Journal of Materials Chemistry A.
In low temperature environments, the hindered diffusion of electrolyte ions seriously restricts the electrochemical performance of supercapacitors. The electrode materials with solar-thermal properties are expected to offer a new strategy to resolve this problem. Nevertheless, it stays a difficulty to establish electrode materials with both excellent solar-thermal residential or commercial properties and high energy storage capability.
