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Accelerating charging dynamics of electric double-layer capacitors
Megh Dutta1, Ivan Palaia2, Emmanuel Trizac3,4
1Physicochimie des Électrolytes et Nanosystèmes Interfaciaux, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Paris 75005, France.
The Journal of Chemical Physics
|August 13, 2026
Summary
Researchers developed new methods to rapidly charge and discharge electric double-layer capacitors (EDLCs). These techniques significantly reduce charging times, making EDLCs a faster energy storage alternative to batteries.
Area of Science:
- Electrochemistry
- Materials Science
- Condensed Matter Physics
Background:
- Electric double-layer capacitors (EDLCs) offer faster charge/discharge rates than batteries.
- EDLC charging dynamics are governed by voltage, inter-electrode distance, and Debye length.
- Existing charging methods are limited by intrinsic relaxation timescales.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate time-dependent voltage protocols for controlling EDLC charge/discharge.
- To achieve full charge/discharge in finite times shorter than intrinsic relaxation timescales.
- To adapt "shortcut to adiabaticity" principles for electrochemical systems.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Poisson-Nernst-Planck model within the small-voltage regime.
- Derived time-dependent voltage protocols to eliminate specific relaxation modes.
- Analyzed charging dynamics using polynomial driving functions.
Main Results:
- Developed protocols that eliminate an arbitrary number of relaxation modes.
- Achieved finite-time charge/discharge, significantly faster than natural equilibration.
- Demonstrated acceleration of surface charge density and charge-density profiles.
- Quantified accelerated approach to equilibrium using Kullback-Leibler-like divergence.
Conclusions:
- Finite-time charging/discharging protocols for EDLCs are feasible and effective.
- Methods can accelerate EDLC operation by an order of magnitude.
- This approach offers a practical pathway to faster electrochemical energy storage.
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