Pigment-cellulose nanofibril composite and its application as a separator-substrate in printed supercapacitors

• DOI: 10.1007/s13391-015-5195-6
• Publication Date: 2015-10-28T03:11:42Z
• Authors: Katariina Torvinen; Suvi Lehtimäki; Janne T. Keränen; Jenni Sievänen; Jari Vartiainen; Erkki Hellén; Donald Lupo; Sampo Tuukkanen
• Keywords: Separator (oil production); Printed Electronics; Nanoporous

Pigment-cellulose nanofibril (PCN) composites were manufactured in a pilot line and used as a separator-substrate in printed graphene and carbon nanotube supercapacitors. The composites consisted typically of 80% pigment and 20% cellulose nanofibrils (CNF). This composition makes them a cost-effective alternative as a substrate for printed electronics at high temperatures that only very special plastic films can nowadays stand. The properties of these substrates can be varied within a relatively large range by the selection of raw materials and their relative proportions. A semi-industrial scale pilot line was successfully used to produce smooth, flexible, and nanoporous composites, and their performance was tested in a double functional separator-substrate element in supercapacitors. The nanostructural carbon films printed on the composite worked simultaneously as high surface area active electrodes and current collectors. Low-cost supercapacitors made from environmentally friendly materials have significant potential for use in flexible, wearable, and disposable low-end products.