Nanostructured Carbon and Carbon Nanocomposites for Electrochemical Energy Storage Applications

Abstract

Introduction An area of research that may produce a viable replacement to fossil fuels is the use of hydrogen. Compared to fossil fuels, hydrogen has a higher energy density (142 MJ kg-1 versus an average 42 MJ kg-1) and, when used in a simple combustion system with lean air mixtures, water is the only byproduct. 1 When hydrogen is used in a fuel cell, the overall efficiency can be upwards of 50% compared to 25% in a simple combustion system. 1 When the hydrogen is produced from a non-hydrocarbon source it has no polluting effects. 1 Systems that utilise, store and produce hydrogen are key to implementing a future hydrogen-based economy. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are one of the most versatile materials in current nanotechnological research. In the field of energy generation and storage, which includes research in solar cells, fuel cells and batteries (specifically lithium-ion), CNTs have shown a marked improvement over conventional systems. 2 In addition, there are several reports of CNTs utilised in a variety of disciplines, including biomedicine, 3 polymer science, 2 catalysis, 4 chemical and biological analytical sciences, as well as nano-electronic device applications. 2-4 We synthesised nanostructured materials, elucidated their structure, and studied their properties and applications. This paper summarises our past and ongoing efforts in the use of CNTs in hydrogen-based energy systems.

Statistical Mechanics of ‘Unwanted Electroactuation’ in Nanoporous Supercapacitors

“…Highly porous electrodes with volume filling surfaces increase the amount of charge stored this way dramatically [1,2,3]. Such electrolytic capacitors are called supercapacitors.…”

A dendrite-suppressing composite ion conductor from aramid nanofibres

“…Much attention has been paid to maximizing the energy and power densities of cathodes and anodes of lithium batteries 1,2 , especially using new forms of nanostructured materials 3,4 and thin polymer films 4 . Although many problems related to the stability of cathodes and anodes remain to be resolved, more attention needs to be paid to the ion-conducting membranes (ICMs) separating them.…”

Non-aqueous energy storage devices using graphene nanosheets synthesized by green route

“…The observed energy density values are higher than the aqueous system comprising graphene based electrodes and other carbon based systems as well. [6][7][8][9]14 Li-storage properties of TRGO nanosheets as anode were evaluated in half-cell configurations (Li/TRGO) by both potentiostatic and galvanostatic measurements. First, cyclic voltammetric traces were recorded between 0.005-3 V vs. Li at scan rate of 0.1 mV s -1 and the result is given in Figure 5.…”

“…10,[12][13][14][15][16] Poor cycleability in non-aqueous media results in the case of EDLC capacitors irrespective of carbon allotropes used. 7,8 Among the various forms of carbon, graphene is found to be a more attractive candidate to study the supercapacitive behaviour in nonaqueous media, however no extensive work has yet been carried out in such medium.…”