Controlling wetting and ionic transport in graphene-ionic liquid-based supercapacitors

Supercapacitors are energy storage devices that can be charged and discharged much faster than batteries while also being more reliable and exhibiting nearly indefinite cycle-life. Graphene-based materials which are a single layer of carbon atoms, exhibit the highest surface area of any material and have the potential to form the ideal supercapacitor electrodes, if we could figure out a way to ensure all the single layers are accessible to the electrolyte. The proposed research aims to better understand a newly developed approach to spontaneously assemble graphene electrodes separated by ionic liquids – a high voltage electrolyte used in supercapacitors. Using ion bombardment, we will study how drilling holes in the graphene improve ionic transport and will reveal how the ionic liquid distributes in the composite. The knowledge gained will be used to engineer improved supercapacitors.

Faculty Supervisor:

Michael Pope

Student:

Partner:

Universität Duisburg-Essen

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Clean Technology; Green/Alternative Energy; Nanotechnology; Quantum Science

University:

University of Waterloo

Program: