Supercapacitors

Introduction

Well-known in the field of polymer-based supercapacitors, the Ferraris research group has expanded to include carbon nanotubes, carbon-based as well as composites in asymmetric devices.

CNT Fibers

A collaborative effort between the UTD Alan G. Macdiarmid Nanotech Institute, CNT fibers are fabricated into solid-state devices with potential applications as portable and lightweight energy sources.

diagramSEM

Diagram of fiber supercapacitors (left) and a SEM image of coated twisted CNT fibers (right).

Activated Carbon

coin

Schematic of a crimped coin cell.

Activated carbon fibers from pyrolized polyacrylonitrile/pitch are tested in two-electrode systems for high power supercapacitors in aqueous and non-aqueous systems. The project in an ongoing collaboration with the Kap Seung Yang group in Chonnam National University in Korea.

Composites and asymmetric devices

The development of electrochemical capacitors that provide high energy and power can be realized by combining elements with battery-like performance (high energy)with capacitor property (cycling stability) and as such, the motivation for the fabrication of hybrid devices. In the Ferraris group, collaboration with the Balkus group involves testing of inorganic-carbon composites in hybrid configuration with activated carbon fibers.