Transparent, flexible supercap promises new smart applications
The SWCNT films obtained exhibited extremely large specific capacitance (178F g−1 or 552μF cm−2), high optical transparency (92%) and stability for 10 000 charge/discharge cycles, the scientists report in their paper, “Transparent and flexible high-performance supercapacitors based on single-walled carbon nanotube films.” These properties make the SWCNT films well suited to design flexible and high-performance transparent and flexible energy storage devices to be used in displays, sensors or photovoltaic applications, to name a few.
The researchers devised a single step aerosol synthesis and dry deposition method to produce the SWCNT thin films which were used as electrodes for an electrochemical double-layer capacitor (EDLC) prototype constructed with a polyethylene casing and a gel electrolyte.
Lead author Petri Kanninen sees potential applications for high-aesthetic-value products, such as activity bands and smart clothes, and inherently transparent end-uses, such as displays and smart windows.
The researchers are now working on a stretchable version of their SWCNT-based supercapacitor, hoping to reach up to 100% elongation without loss of performance.
Visit the Aalto University at www.aalto.fi/en
Visit the Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology at www.skoltech.ru
Related articles:
Transparent solar cells: Will windows generate electricity?
Transparent, elastic conductor targets flexible electronics, wearables
Solar-charged transparent Li-ion battery promises ‘smart windows’
Transparent wood lowers cost of solar cells
Self-powered ‘smart skin’ eases design of touch-capable robots, bionic limbs
If you enjoyed this article, you will like the following ones: don't miss them by subscribing to :
