Development of High-Energy Density Supercapacitors via Engineering and Optimization of Graphene Electrodes and Ionic Liquid-Based Electrolytes

Abstract

The low energy density of supercapacitor has hindered its large-scale application especially for electrochemical energy storage over the past decade. This thesis aims at overcoming such a limitation by developing graphene-based supercapacitors that can deliver relatively high energy density in the range of 78 to 177 Wh kg–1. The thesis contains 4 original experimental studies that mainly provide the insights on how to maximize the energy density via optimization of the properties of graphene electrodes and ionic liquid-based electrolytes. These systematic studies can serve as guidelines for future research on different electrode and electrolyte materials for supercapacitors.