Synergistic Microporosity and CNT Integration in Carbon Electrodes for Dense Energy Storage in Aqueous Electrolytes

Abstract

This work is an attempt to overcome the major challenge of the supercapacitors, which is the low energy density when compared to the batteries, throughout a proposed design of a hybridized carbon electrode combining the super microporosity and high electrical conductivity. The proposed strategy depends on the incorporation of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) at different percentage weights in a carbon matrix richen with pores smaller than 2 nm and derived from zinc ferrite frames by sol-gel method. This hybridization leads to the formation of a conductive network from CNTs working as highways for electrons while the carbon matrix maintains high specific surface area allowing the accumulation of ions from an aqueous electrolyte (Li₂SO₄). The practical significance of the proposed design is represented by its ability to bridge the gap between high energy densities of batteries and high power densities of conventional capacitors, with safe operation and low cost using aqueous electrolytes, as a promising solution for intensive energy storage applications.