• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2011.02a
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• pp.465-465
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• 2011

In recent years, electrochemical supercapacitors have attracted much attention due to their high power density, long life cycles, and high efficiency. Some supercapacitors using CNTs have been reported, but there are several issues to be resolved for further development of CNT based supercapacitors. One issue is time consuming procedures to prepare CNT films, which may provide poor control of CNT uniformity over the large area of the substrates. Another is new electrolytes replacing the conventional liquid electrolytes in supercapacitors. In this work, We have successfully demonstrated that spray deposition method of multiwalled CNT films using gel electroytes could be promising for CNT-based supercapacitors on ITO substrates. Specific capacitances using gel electrolyte reached up to 1.5 F/g and 9 mF/$cm^2$, and internal resistance was 28 ${\Omega}$. Specific capacitances and internal resistance of supercapacitors with gel electrolyte were better than or comparable to those with liquid electrolytes($KNO_3$, $Na_2SO_4$), indicating that gel electrolytes could replace liquid counterparts in CNT-based supercapacitors. Combined with gel electrolyte, spray deposition method could provide low cost and easily scalable process for high performance supercapacitors using CNT films on ITO for applications in display devices.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.379-384
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• 2012

This paper presents the power source of wireless sensor node (WSN) using supercapacitors and a solar cell. Supercapacitors have high lifetime cycling compared to that of batteries. Supercapacitors are connected in series to achieve higher voltage and a voltage balancing circuit is required to ensure that no individual cell goes overvoltage. We employ an active balancing circuit that draws minimal current by using transistors. A diode is connected in series with each supercapacitor. A new balancing circuit that equalize the cells-voltage reduces energy consumption of supercapacitors. Voltage of operating WSN is applied 2.2-3.3V by DC/DC converter and supercapacitor voltage 2.2-5.1V. Maximum operating time of wireless sensor node is about 16 hours in full charging.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.237-244
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• 2014

We report novel and simple structure of supercapacitors fabricated by using flexible glass fibre separators as templates. This method does not require separate electrodes, binders and high pressure/temperature to build the supercapacitor unit cells as required by the conventional technology. The supercapacitors were fabricated by drop-casting solution mixtures of carbonaceous active materials/gel electrolytes onto two sides of glass fibre separators. Two carbonaceous materials (nanoscaled activated carbons, multi-walled carbon nanotubes) were investigated as electrode materials. The electrochemical measurements reveal that the separatorbased supercapacitors using ACs successfully demonstrated significant mass specific capacitance ($22.3F\;g^{-1}$) and energy density ($9.7Wh\;kg^{-1}$), indicating this method can be useful in fabricating flexible, wearable and stretchable energy storage devices in more straightforward and cost-effective way than current technology.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.29 no.12
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• pp.774-780
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• 2019

The performance of Li-ion hybrid supercapacitors (asymmetric-type) depends on many factors such as the capacity ratio, material properties, cell designs and operating conditions. Among these, in consideration of balanced electrochemical reactions, the capacity ratio of the negative (anode) to positive (cathode) electrode is one of the most important factors to design the Li-ion hybrid supercapacitors for high energy storing performance. We assemble Li-ion hybrid supercapacitors using activated carbon (AC) as anode material, lithium manganese oxide as cathode material, and organic electrolyte (1 mol L^-1 LiPF₆ in acetonitrile). At this point, the thickness of the anode electrode is controlled at 160, 200, and 240 ㎛. Also, thickness of cathode electrode is fixed at 60 ㎛. Then, the effect of negative and positive electrode ratio on the electrochemical performance of AC/LiMn₂O₄ Li-ion hybrid supercapacitors is investigated, especially in the terms of capacity and cyclability at high current density. In this study, we demonstrate the relationship of capacity ratio between anode and cathode electrode, and the excellent electrochemical performance of AC/LiMn₂O₄ Li-ion hybrid supercapacitors. The remarkable capability of these materials proves that manipulation of the capacity ratio is a promising technology for high-performance Li-ion hybrid supercapacitors.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.111-131
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• 2024

Lignin-derived porous carbon has been identified as a versatile electrode material for supercapacitors (SCs) in energy storage systems (ESSs) owing to their intrinsic advantages including good electrical conductivity, low cost, high thermal and chemical stability, and high porosity, which stem from high surface, appropriate pore distribution, tailored morphologies, heterostructures, and diverse derivates. In this review, to provide a fundamental understanding of the properties of lignin, we first summarize the origin, historical development, and basic physicochemical properties. Next, we describe essential strategies for the preparation of lignin-derived porous carbon electrode materials and then highlight the latest advances in the utilization of lignin-derived porous carbon materials as advanced electrode materials. Finally, we provide some of our own insights into the major challenges and prospective research directions of lignin-derived porous carbon materials for supercapacitors. We believe that this review will provide general guidance for the design of next-generation electrode materials for supercapacitors.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.116-121
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• 2015

$WS_2$-W-WC embedded carbon nanofiber composites were fabricated by using electrospinning method for use in high-performance supercapacitors. In order to obtain optimum electrochemical properties for supercapacitors, $WS_2$ nanoparticles were used as precursors and the amounts of $WS_2$ precursors were controlled to 4 wt% (sample A) and 8 wt% (sample B). The morphological, structural, and chemical properties of all samples were investigated by means of field emission photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. These results demonstrated that the embedded phases of samples A and B were changed from $WS_2$ to $WS_2$-W-WC through carbothermal reaction during carbonization process. In particular, sample B presented high specific capacitance (~119.7 F/g at 5 mV/s), good high-rate capacitance (~60.5%), and superb cycleability. The enhanced electrochemical properties of sample B were explained by the synergistic effect of the using 1-D structure supports, increase of specific surface area, and improved conductivity from formation of W and WC phases.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.272-278
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• 2017

Two-dimensional (2D) materials, especially graphene and $MoS_2$ sheets, have gained much attention and shown great promise for the application in supercapacitors. To widely use the 2D materials for supercapacitors, highly efficient, low cost, and environmentally friendly synthetic methods for the preparation of 2D materials should be developed. Here, we will review recently developed solution-based processes for preparing 2D materials for supercapacitors. Chemical exfoliation-reduction, chemical intercalation, and liquid phase exfoliation methods will be introduced. Moreover, the electrochemical characteristics of graphene and $MoS_2$-based electrodes for supercapacitors are summarized. In addition to solution-based processes, other challenges and opportunities are discussed in terms of controlling nanosheet compositions, sizes, and thicknesses.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2013.02a
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• pp.295-295
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• 2013

Supercapacitors with higher energy and power density are attracting growing attention for their wide range of potential applications such as portable electronic equipments, hybrid vehicle and cellular devices. In various classes of materials for supercapacitors, the redox pseudocapacitive materials such as conducting polymers and metal oxides have been most widely studied recently. The nanostructuring of the electrode surface has also been focused on since it can provide large surface area and consequently easy diffusion of ions in the capacitors. Among the active materials, in this work, we have used polyaniline (PANi) and manganese oxide ($MnO_2$). PANi is one of the promising electrode and active materials due to its desirable properties such as high electrochemical activity, high doping level and stability. $MnO_2$ is also widely studied material for supercapacitors since it is relatively cheap and environmentally friendly. In this work, we fabricated PANi hollow nanospheres by polymerizing aniline monomers on the polystyrene (PS) nanospheres and then dissolving the inner PS spheres. This nanostructuring of the PANi surface can provide large surface area and hence easy diffusion of electrolyte ions. We also incorporated $MnO_2$ nanoparticles into the PANi hollow nanospheres and investigated its electrochemical properties. It is expected that the combination of these two active materials with slightly different working potential windows show synergetic effects such as broader working potential range and enhanced specific capacitance.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.31 no.12
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• pp.3697-3702
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• 2010

We demonstrate that vertically aligned carbon nanotubes can be synthesized directly on tantalum substrate via water-assisted chemical vapor deposition and evaluate their properties as electrochemical capacitors. The mean diameter of the carbon nanotubes was $7.1{\pm}1.5\;nm$, and 70% of them had double walls. The intensity ratio of G-band to D-band in Raman spectra was as high as 5, indicating good quality of the carbon nanotubes. Owing to the alignment and low equivalent series resistance, the carbon nanotube based supercapacitors showed good rate performance. Rectangular shape of cyclic voltammogram was maintained even at the scan rate of > 1 V/s in 1 M sulfuric acid aqueous solution. Specific capacitance was well-retained (~94%) even when the discharging current density dramatically increased up to 145 A/g. Consequently, specific power as high as 60 kW/kg was obtained from as-grown carbon nanotubes in aqueous solution. Maximum specific energy of ~20 Wh/kg was obtained when carbon nanotubes were electrochemically oxidized and operated in organic solution. Demonstration of direct synthesis of carbon nanotubes on tantalum current collectors and their applications as supercapacitors could be an invaluable basis for fabrication of high performance carbon nanotube supercapacitors.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.251-259
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• 2018

In general, the charge storage characteristics and overall performance of electrochemical energy devices (such as lithiumion batteries and supercapacitors) significantly depends on the structural and geometrical factors of the electrodes' active materials. The most widely used active materials of electrochemical energy storage devices are based on carbons of various forms. Each carbon type has drawbacks and advantages when used as the electrode material. Studies have been recently carried out to combine different types of carbons, in particular nanostructured carbons, in order to overcome the structure-originated limitations and thus enhance the overall electrochemical performances. In this feature article, we report the recent progress on the development of this novel class of materials (multidimensional nanocarbons), and their applications for supercapacitors. Multidimensional nanocarbons include graphenes/carbon nanotubes (CNTs), CNTs/carbon films, CNTs/fullerenes, and ternary carbon nanostructures. Various applications using these multidimensional nanocarbons have been proposed and demonstrated in the literature. Owing to the recent extensive studies on electrochemical energy storage devices and considering that carbons are their most fundamental electrode materials, the number of reports on nanocarbons employed as electrodes of the electrochemical energy storage devices is rapidly increasing. Recently, numerous multidimensional nanocarbons have been designed, prepared, and utilized as electrodes of electrochemical capacitors or supercapacitors, which are considered next-generation energy devices owing to their unique merits compared to the conventional structures. In this review, we summarize the basic motivations, preparation methods, and resultant supercapacitor performances of each class of multidimensional nanocarbons published in the literature, focusing on recent reports.