Development of Novel Carbon Electrode for Electrochemical Energy Storage. Nano-sized Carbon and Classic Carbon Electrodes for Capacitors

Abstract

Electrochemical capacitors are energy storage devices characterized by high power and long cycle life for charging/discharging. Carbon materials play a very key role as electrode active materials for the electrochemical capacitors. This comprehensive paper mainly covers the author’s research regarding the carbon materials as electrodes for the electric double layer capacitor used as an electrochemical capacitor. The importance of focusing on the pore structure, the surface chemistry, and the three-dimensional structure of the electrodes is stated from the viewpoint of improving the energy density and reliability, and the characteristic carbon materials that have a high capacitance even with a low microporosity are also reported. These research results indicate the potential of nano-sized carbons and classic carbons, such as activated carbon and graphite-related materials, to further develop the technologies of the capacitor electrodes.