Ion Dynamics in Porous Carbon Electrodes in Supercapacitors Using in situ Infrared Spectroelectrochemistry

Electrochemical double layer capacitors (EDLC), or supercapacitors, rely on electrosorption of ions by porous carbon electrodes and offer a higher power and a longer cyclic lifetime compared to batteries. Ionic liquid (IL) electrolytes can broaden the operating voltage window and increase the energy density of EDLCs. Herein, we present direct measurements of ion dynamics of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (EMIm-TFSI) in an operating EDLC with electrodes composed of porous nanosized carbide-derived carbons (CDCs) and non-porous onion-like carbons (OLCs) with the use of in situ infrared spectroelectrochemistry. For CDC electrodes, IL ions (both cations and anions) were directly observed entering and exiting CDC nanopores during charging and discharging of the EDLC.

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