Carbon-cement supercapacitors as a scalable bulk energy storage solution

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Sustainable Energy

Background:

• Renewable energy systems require efficient energy storage to balance supply and demand.
• Scalable and cost-effective materials are crucial for widespread adoption of energy storage solutions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate a scalable material for energy storage in supercapacitors using readily available precursors.
• To characterize carbon-cement electrodes for their energy storage capacity and rate capability.

Main Methods:

• Correlative EDS-Raman spectroscopy and capacitance measurements (cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge-discharge).
• Use of integer and fractional derivatives for rate and current intensity correction.
• Texture analysis to understand electrode structure and properties.

Main Results:

• Cement hydration with carbon forms a fractal-like, electron-conducting carbon network within the cement matrix.
• Energy storage capacity is an intensive quantity, while high-rate capability exhibits self-similarity.
• The developed carbon-cement electrodes demonstrate high specific surface area and efficient charge transport.

Conclusions:

• The intensive and self-similar nature of energy storage and rate capability allows for mass scaling.
• Carbon-cement supercapacitors offer a versatile, scalable solution for multifunctional structures.
• Potential applications include energy autarkic shelters, self-charging roads, and grid-scale energy storage.