One strategy to improve
the performance of electric double-layer
capacitors (EDLCs) is changing the current collector material. In
this study, a three-dimensional porous current collector comprising
stainless-steel fibers is fabricated using a relatively simple method.
Capacitor properties of the EDLC using this unique current collector
are characterized by cyclic voltammetry and charge–discharge
tests. The voltammograms of the EDLC develop a more butterfly shape
and an increased specific capacity at higher electrolyte concentrations.
It shows reversible charge–discharge potential profiles, little
capacity degradation (∼98% of the initial capacity at 1000th
cycle), and a good rate performance at higher electrolyte concentrations
(90% capacity retention for 2.5 times increase in discharge current).
Its capacitance values (95–99 F g
–1
) are
roughly twice the specific capacitance of an EDLC using the flat stainless-steel
plate current collector (51 F g
–1
) without any performance
degradation even at a higher loading of electrode active materials.
Based on the AC impedance analysis, these good properties are attributed
to the reduction in several resistances compared to the case of a
flat stainless-steel plate: (i) the contact resistance between the
electrode active material and the current collector, (ii) the resistance
of the electrolyte in the finely branched space formed by the fibers
and the active material, and (iii) the resistance in the diffusion
layer. Increasing the electrolyte concentration further reduces the
latter two resistances and the bulk electrolyte resistance, resulting
in higher performance of the EDLC using the stainless-steel fiber
sheet current collector.