High-performance Supercapacitor, Using Ultrasonic Spray Device

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A team of researchers, affiliated with UNIST has introduced a novel manufacturing technology to form new materials, using ultrasonic waves used in medical diagnosis, humidifiers, as well as sonar systems for submarines. The method has received considerable attention as a new technique that is capable of manufacturing high-performance materials without the need of high temperatures or pressure.

In the study, the research team presented a new approach to form carbon–heteroatom bonds in carbon nanomaterials, inducing chemical reaction with inert N₂ or O₂ gases by ultrasonic spray deposition (USD). This new technique fixes nitrogen or oxygen into the carbon nanomaterials, using ultrasonic energy and ultrasonic atomization. It can be applied for many applications in materials science, including secondary battery materials, as it is capable of forming bonds between carbon and other atoms in a simple and fast manner.

Their ultrasonic spray works according to the similar principle of a humidifier. Just as the humidifier breaks up the water into tiny droplets and spout a cool mist into the air, the carbon nanomaterial inks are ultrasonically atomized by the spray instrument to form fine droplets, which are nebulized by a compressed carrier gas (N₂ or O₂). Through this process, N₂ or O₂ is fixed into the carbon nanomaterials.

“The water sprayed from the humidifier forms an extremely fine mist, consisting of droplets between 1-2 µm in diameter, which increases the surface area for evaporation and thus helps to keep moisture in the air,” says Hyun-Tak Kim in the Combined M.S/Ph.D of Natural Science, the first author of the study. “Ultrasonic spray device refers to a method that fixes nitrogen or oxygen into the carbon nanomaterial inks, using ultrasonic energy and ultrasonic atomization.”

This study especially has attracted much attention for introducing an innovative approach that induces chemical reactions with inert N₂ or O₂ gases that virtually do not react chemically. The results show that all the carbon nanomaterials exhibit very high specific capacitances, high cycling stability, and structural flexibility after the ultrasonic doping process.

In the study, the research team has also presented high-performance carbon-nanomaterial-based supercapacitor electrodes, using ultrasonic spray chemical reactions. Supercapacitors are capable of achieving a high energy density comparable to what Li-ion batteries can offer, but they have a much higher power density. It can be charged and discharged a virtually unlimited number of times without losing energy storage capability, which makes them ideal for aerospace/military applications that that require many rapid charge/discharge cycles.

The research team used a double nozzle system of ultrasonic spray to fabricate the supercapacitor electrodes: N-doped reduced graphene oxides are introduced from one nozzle and N-doped carbon nanotubes from the other nozzle to realize 3D porous electrodes. This demonstrates that ultrasonic spray technology can be used to synthesize materials and produce a highly uniform film electrodes at the same time.   

“This study suggests a new synthesis method for chemical reactions by combining carbon with other atoms,” says Professor Kwon. “The simplicity and controllability of structural parameters in this approach can open many opportunities in the design and fabrication of electrochemical energy storage devices, as well as other energy conversion applications.”

This study has been also featured on the back cover of the December issue of Advanced Materials in recognition of its significance and innovation.