Fabrication of Bi2O3||AC asymmetric supercapacitor with redox additive aqueous electrolyte and its improved electrochemical performances

• DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2013.10.199
• Publication Date: 2013-11-12T06:01:18Z
• Authors: S.T. Senthilkumar; R. Kalai Selvan; M. Ulaganathan; J.S. Melo
• Keywords: 02 engineering and technology; 0210 nano-technology; 7. Clean energy; 3. Good health

Abstract A new asymmetric supercapacitor (ASC) was fabricated using flower like α-Bi2O3as negative and bio-waste derived activated carbon (AC) as positive electrodes with Li2SO4as electrolyte. Here, the fabricated ASC was operated over the potential range of 0-1.6 V and evaluated by cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvano static charge-discharge (GCD), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cycle life. Further to improve the performance of ASC, KI was used as electrolyte redox additive with pristine (Li2SO4) electrolyte due to their possible redox reactions of iodine ions. Remarkably, a nearly threefold improved specific capacitance and energy density of 99.5 F g−1and 35.4 Wh kg−1respectively was achieved by adding of KI into Li2SO4 electrolyte, while it was only 29 F g−1and 10.2 Wh kg−1for pristine (Li2SO4) electrolyte used ASC at 1.5 mA cm−2.