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Evaluating the Electrochemical Properties of Supercapacitors using the Three-Electrode System
Published on: January 7, 2022
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Pore network tortuosity controls fast charging in supercapacitors.
Thomas Kress1, Xinyu Liu1, Alexander C Forse2
1Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
Nature Materials
|November 4, 2025
Summary
Supercapacitor performance hinges on ion transport through porous carbon. We found that low pore network tortuosity, not just porosity, significantly boosts charging rates by enabling efficient ion movement.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Physical Chemistry
Background:
- Ionic transport in porous carbon electrodes is vital for supercapacitor charge/discharge rates.
- The relationship between material properties and ion dynamics in supercapacitors is not fully understood.
- Mesoporosity's direct correlation with high supercapacitor rate capability is questioned.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of pore network structure on ionic transport in porous carbon electrodes.
- To determine the key factors governing ion dynamics and their impact on supercapacitor rate capability.
- To provide insights for designing advanced porous carbon materials for enhanced supercapacitor performance.
Main Methods:
- Utilized pulsed-field-gradient nuclear magnetic resonance (PFG-NMR) to directly measure anionic effective diffusivities within carbon pores.
- Analyzed the discrepancy between short-range and long-range ionic diffusivities to understand pore network tortuosity.
- Correlated measured diffusivities with supercapacitor rate capability.
Main Results:
- A significant difference was observed between short-range and long-range anionic diffusivities, reflecting pore network tortuosity.
- Short-range diffusivities showed no correlation with supercapacitor rate capability.
- Long-range diffusivities exhibited a strong positive correlation with supercapacitor rate capability.
- Nanoporous carbon with low tortuosity demonstrated superior rate capability.
Conclusions:
- Pore network tortuosity, rather than mesoporosity alone, is a critical factor controlling charging rates in amorphous nanoporous carbon.
- Well-interconnected pore networks facilitate efficient ion transport, leading to enhanced supercapacitor performance.
- The findings guide the rational design of carbon electrodes with optimized transport channels for improved supercapacitors.
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