Eco-friendly Supercapacitors

Context: Researchers have developed environmentally friendly supercapacitors.

Coconut Husk-Derived Activated Carbon: Utilizing coconut husk-derived activated carbon offers promising, eco-friendly solutions for high-performance supercapacitors due to its availability, low cost, and sustainability.

Supercapacitor

• Definition: A supercapacitor, also known as an ultracapacitor, is an advanced energy storage device.
• Benefits: It provides high power density, durability, and fast charging capabilities compared to traditional capacitors and Lithium-Ion batteries (LIB).
• Components: Key components include electrodes, electrolytes, separators, and current collectors.
  • Cost Reduction: Efforts to reduce manufacturing costs should focus on minimizing expenses related to electrodes and electrolytes, which significantly contribute to overall production costs.
  • Electrodes: Conduct electricity through non-metallic mediums.
  • Electrolytes: Produce conductive solutions when dissolved in polar solvents like water.

Capacitor vs. Supercapacitor

• Capacitor:
  • A passive electronic component that stores electrical energy in electrostatic charge.
  • Typically constructed with two conducting plates separated by a dielectric material such as ceramic.
• Supercapacitor:
  • A type of capacitor with significantly higher capacitance and lower voltage ratings.
  • Uses activated carbon-coated electrodes separated by an electrolytic solution as a separator instead of a dielectric.
  • Can store energy electrostatically, electrochemically, or in a hybrid manner.
  • Offers higher energy density (1-5 Wh/kg) compared to capacitors (0.01-0.05 Wh/kg).
  • Features faster charging and discharging times (milliseconds to seconds).
  • Operates in a wider temperature range (-40 °C to +85 °C).
  • Applications include UPS systems, RAM modules, CMOS circuits, and portable electronics where quick power stabilization is crucial.