Symmetric Supercapacitors based on activated carbon electrodes using Aquivion® membrane

Energy storage is a field that successfully combines leading technologies to produce nanomaterials and electrolytes with innovative engineering solutions. A variety of porous carbon materials are widely used as electrode materials in energy storage applications, and among these, activated carbons are considered promising alternatives compared to other forms of carbon due to its low cost, high specific surface area and the possibility of using environmentally friendly raw material1. Supercapacitors are eco-friendly energy devices with high power density and long-lifetime. Flexible energy storage devices such as solid-state supercapacitors become more and more attractive due to their flexibility, wearability, mechanical property, light weight and no electrolyte leakage2. Commercial activated carbon obtained by pyrolysis of coconuts shells (YP-50F, "Kuraray Europe" GmbH) with high specific surface area and narrow pore size distribution was used as electrode material. The symmetric supercapacitor cell contains two identical coin type electrodes and Na+- and Li+- form Aquivion® E87-05S electrolyte membrane, which has the function of separator and electrolyte. The supercapacitors are tested by different electrochemical methods such as cyclic voltammetry at different scan rates from 10 to 50 mVs-1 in the voltage range of 0.05-1.2V, galvanostatic charge/discharge measurements and long-term durability tests.