An approach to enhance carbon/polymer interface compatibility for lithium-ion supercapacitors

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Energy Storage

Background:

• Developing high-efficiency energy storage components is crucial for economic progress.
• Optimizing interface compatibility and active site utilization in composite electrodes is key to improving electrochemical performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize a carbon-based flexible lithium-ion supercapacitor positive material with enhanced interface compatibility and electrochemical properties.
• To investigate the supercapacitive and lithium storage performance of the synthesized material.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of Polyaniline @ Carbon Foam-Supercritical carbon dioxide (P@C-SC) composite material using commercial melamine foam and aniline monomer.
• Utilizing supercritical fluid technology to improve interface compatibility.
• Electrochemical performance evaluation in H2SO4 and Li2SO4 electrolytes using a three-electrode system.

Main Results:

• The P@C-SC material demonstrated a high working voltage of 2.2 V in H2SO4 electrolyte.
• Achieved a specific capacitance of 898 F/g at 1 A/g with a maximum energy density of 50.8 Wh/kg.
• Exhibited excellent lithium storage performance with a specific capacity of ~900 mAh/g at 1 A/g, retaining 400 mAh/g after 200 cycles with 100% coulombic efficiency.

Conclusions:

• Supercritical fluid technology effectively solves interface compatibility issues in composite materials.
• The developed P@C-SC material shows significant potential for high-performance lithium-ion supercapacitors.
• This approach offers insights into integrated material design for improved electrochemical properties and applicability of supercritical fluids in energy storage.