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Updated: May 19, 2026
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Evaluating the Electrochemical Properties of Supercapacitors using the Three-Electrode System
Published on: January 7, 2022
Photo-assisted rechargeable supercapacitors and applications
Chandu V V Muralee Gopi1, R Ramesh2
1Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Sharjah P. O. Box 27272 Sharjah United Arab Emirates vchandu@sharjah.ac.ae.
RSC Advances
|May 18, 2026
Summary
Photo-assisted rechargeable supercapacitors (PSCs) integrate solar energy harvesting and storage. These devices show improved performance under illumination, offering a sustainable path for self-powered electronics.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Renewable Energy
Background:
- Photo-assisted rechargeable supercapacitors (PSCs) are emerging hybrid energy storage devices.
- They uniquely combine solar energy capture with electrochemical charge storage in a single unit.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in PSCs, covering operational principles, materials, architectures, and performance.
- To highlight strategies for enhancing energy density and photocharging efficiency.
Main Methods:
- Focus on asymmetric and integrated architectures utilizing photoresponsive electrodes.
- Discussion of advanced photoactive materials like transition metal oxides, sulfides, TiO2 nanotubes, and heterostructures.
- Emphasis on binder-free electrodes, interface engineering, electrolyte optimization, and band-alignment control.
Main Results:
- Illumination consistently enhances electrochemical performance compared to dark conditions.
- Optimized PSCs achieve high energy densities (up to ~60.9 Wh kg⁻¹).
- Improved specific capacitance, energy density, and coulombic efficiency are reported with advanced materials.
Conclusions:
- PSCs offer a promising avenue for self-powered, miniaturized, and sustainable energy storage.
- Further research is needed to address challenges in light utilization efficiency, operational stability, and scalable production.
- Future applications include portable, wearable, and smart electronic devices.
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