Hierarchically Structured Multidimensional Carbon Composite Anchored to a Polymer Mat for a Superflexible Supercapacitor

Abstract

A carbon electrode was designed to guarantee flexibility of symmetric electric double layer capacitors (EDLCs) based on its architecture. Three different dimensional carbon materials were combined to achieve the flexibility without sacrificing high performances: highly capacitive but poorly conductive three-dimensional graphene (3D-Gn*) as a platform for electric double layer formation, one-dimensional carbon nanotube (1D-CNT) as an electrically conductive highway, and two-dimensional graphene (2D-Gn) for facilitating electron communications between 3D-Gn* and 1D-CNT. From a mechanical standpoint, the 1D-CNT provided an intertangled framework to integrate the main active material 3D-Gn* and anchored the active layer to a flexible polymer matrix. Resultantly, the symmetric EDLC based on the hierarchically structured multidimensional carbon electrodes anchored to flexible substrates was operated successfully at 3 V, ensuring high energy densities even under repetitive mechanical stress conditions.

Stacking-Free Porous Graphene Network for High Capacitive Performance

“…However, the relatively low electrical conducting materials, which also cause partial aggregation due to imperfect intercalation into GO sheets, decreased the electrochemical performance of the rGO composite in the supercapacitor system . Alternatively, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been utilized as a good conductive additive in GO-based materials for high-performance energy storage . However, the hydrophobic property of the CNT causes low accessibility of ion electrolytes, resulting in a low capacitive property .…”

“…24 Alternatively, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been utilized as a good conductive additive in GO-based materials for high-performance energy storage. 25 However, the hydrophobic property of the CNT causes low accessibility of ion electrolytes, resulting in a low capacitive property. 26 It is therefore critical to address all these related issues to realize the practical application of rGO-based materials with maximum performance in energy-storage systems.…”

Nanofibers versus Nanopores: A Comparison of the Electrochemical Performance of Hierarchically Ordered Porous Carbons

“…Different types of carbon materials with hierarchical porosity have been investigated in terms of their ability to handle short charging and discharging times. These materials not only show promising rate handling capabilities but also high specific capacitances. − The basic idea of using hierarchical macro-meso-microporous carbons is that the long-range transport of the ions proceeds via macro- and mesopores, while the charge is stored within micropores and ultramicropores, which are closely connected to the mesopores. In this way, small micropores with a high degree of geometric confinement would be responsible for a high energy density by efficiently screening the counterion charge, , and macro- and mesopores would provide “ion-highways” for the fast and efficient transport of ions toward and away from the micropores.…”

Graphene‐Encapsulated Bifunctional Catalysts with High Activity and Durability for Zn–Air Battery

“…However, the π-π stacking between the graphene layers still often lowers the catalytic effects by inhibiting the access of the analytes. [21][22][23] Especially, hydrogel-based metal nanocomposites have a high surface area due to their porous structures. [24,25] A more efficient synthetic strategy to control the surface area of carbon materials while maintaining high stability is therefore critical in developing high-performance Zn-air batteries.…”