Accelerating ion diffusion with unique three-dimensionally interconnected nanopores for self-membrane high-performance pseudocapacitors. Issue 46 (16th November 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gao, Yuan; Lin, Yuanjing; Peng, Zehua; Zhou, Qingfeng; Fan, Zhiyong
• Is Part Of: Nanoscale. Volume 9:Issue 46(2017)
• Page Start: 18311
• Page End: 18317
• Publication Date: 2017-11-16
• Subjects: Nanoscience -- Periodicals; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; 620.505
• DOI: 10.1039/c7nr06234f
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2040-3364

Abstract

Abstract : Three-dimensional interconnected nanoporous structure (3-D INPOS) possesses high aspect ratio, large surface area, as well as good structural stability. Profiting from its unique interconnected architecture, the 3-D INPOS pseudocapacitor achieves a largely enhanced capacitance and rate capability. Abstract : Herein, a unique three-dimensionally interconnected nanoporous structure (3-D INPOS) pseudocapacitor electrode, which possesses a large surface area, an efficient electron and ion transport, together with a remarkable structural stability, has been constructed via soft anodization of an aluminum alloy, cost-effective ultrasonic spray pyrolysis (USP)-assisted deposition of fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO), and controllable electrochemical deposition of nanostructured manganese dioxide (MnO2 ). Taking the advantage of large surface area, the as-built 3-D INPOS pseudocapacitor electrode exhibits the highest areal capacitance of 540 mF cm −2 and a volumetric capacitance of 135 F cm −3, which is 53% higher than that achieved from the conventional 3-D nanopore pseudocapacitor electrode and 17.6 times higher than that of the planar electrode. More interestingly, the unique 3-D interconnected structure offers an unrestricted space for the diffusion of electrolyte ions. Thus, the 3-D INPOS electrode achieves a higher rate capability than the 3-D nanopore electrode. As a proof of concept, a symmetric self-membrane pseudocapacitor device was constructed by simply stacking two pieces of the 3-D INPOS electrodes. Without an added separator, the device possesses a largely reduced dead volume and achieves the highest volumetric capacitance of 28.9 F cm −3 and a specific energy of 2.36 mW h cm −3 . The largely enhanced capacitance, rate capability, and specific energy certainly make the 3-D INPOS an ideal architecture for the fabrication of high-performance pseudocapacitors.