Biliquid Supercapacitors: a Simple and New Strategy to Enhance Energy Density in Asymmetric/Hybrid Devices

• DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2017.09.095
• Publication Date: 2017-09-22T04:46:54Z
• Authors: Paulo F.R. Ortega; Zoraida González; Clara Blanco; Glaura G. Silva; Rodrigo L. Lavall; Ricardo Santamaría
• Keywords: Supercapacitor; Carbon materials; Hybrid device; Ion-transport; 02 engineering and technology; 0210 nano-technology; 7. Clean energy; Ionic liquids; 3. Good health

A novel strategy for the development of high energy density supercapacitors (SC) is explored. The new devices contain two electrolytes that are different in nature, an aqueous electrolyte in one half-cell and an ionic liquid in the other. These systems, referred to as biliquid SCs, make it possible to combine the best electrode/electrolyte in terms of individual electrode capacitance and cathodic/anodic stability limits. Furthermore, other asymmetries that combine different electrodes, electrolytes and storage mechanisms can be incorporated. Synchronous cyclic chronopotenciometry was used to monitor the performance of these novel complex systems. It is expected that this approach will help scientists working in this field to develop new devices that overcome the energy density limitations of current SCs, thereby extending the scope of their application.<br/>Peer reviewed<br/>The authors would like to thank the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) − Brazil for the financial support (PVE 2014, process number 400714/2014-0). Paulo Fernando R. Ortega also acknowledges CNPq for the received scholarships. Financial support from Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad (project MAT2016-77114-R) and Principado de Asturias (Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional, GRUPIN 14-118).<br/>