Electrochemical Performance of Symmetric Solid-State Supercapacitors Based on Carbon Xerogel Electrodes and Solid Polymer Electrolytes

Abstract

For the development and optimization of solid-state symmetrical supercapacitors, herein, we propose using carbon-based electrodes and sodium- and lithium-form Aquivion electrolyte membranes, which serve as the separator and electrolyte. Carbon xerogels, synthesized using microwave-assisted sol-gel methodology, with designed and controlled properties were obtained as electrode materials. Commercial activated carbon (YP-50F, “Kuraray Europe” GmbH) was used as the active material for comparison. Notably, the developed solid-state symmetrical supercapacitors provide sufficiently high specific capacitances of 105–110 F g−1 at 0.2 A g−1, along with an energy density of 4.5 Wh kg−1 at 300 W kg−1, and a voltage window of 0–1.2 V in aqueous environments, also demonstrating an excellent cycling stability for up to 10,000 charge/discharge cycles. These results can demonstrate the potential applications of carbon xerogel as the active electrode material and cation exchange membrane as the electrolyte in the development of solid-state supercapacitor devices.