Electrochemical characteristics and microstructure of activated carbon powder supercapacitors for energy storage

Abstract

In recent years, extensive investigations have concentrated on the study and improvement of supercapacitors electrode materials. The electric devices produced with these materials are used for stored energy over time periods ranging from seconds to several days. The main factor determining the energy storage time of a supercapacitor is its self-discharge rate. This property concerns to the gradual decrease in the electric potential that occurs when the supercapacitor terminals are left unconnected to either a charging circuit or an electric load. Self-discharge is attenuated with a decrease in room temperature and lifetime is enhanced. This paper addresses this aspect and reports the results of a work carried out on a systematic study with supercapacitors with nominal capacitance of 1.0 rated at a DC potential of 5.5 V and 10.0 F at 2,7 V. The specific capacitance, internal resistance and self-discharge of commercial activated carbon electrode supercapacitors have been investigated. Specific capacitances were measured in this study using cyclic voltammetry (CV). Specific capacitances of 44.4 and 66.7 Fg-1 were determined for distinct carbon electrodes supercapacitors. Self-discharge were carried out at room temperature and close to the freezing point. Internal resistances of the supercapacitors were calculated using the discharge curve at room temperature. The microstructures of the electrode material have been investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).