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    Reversibly compressible and freestanding monolithic carbon spherogels
    (Amsterdam : Elsevier, 2019) Salihovic, M.; Zickler, G.A.; Fritz-Popovski, G.; Ulbricht, M.; Paris, O.; Hüsing, N.; Presser, V.; Elsaesser, M.S.
    We present a versatile strategy to tailor the nanostructure of monolithic carbon aerogels. By use of an aqueous colloidal solution of polystyrene in the sol-gel processing of resorcinol-formaldehyde gels, we can prepare, after supercritical drying and successive carbonization, freestanding monolithic carbon aerogels, solely composed of interconnected and uniformly sized hollow spheres, which we name carbon spherogels. Each sphere is enclosed by a microporous carbon wall whose thickness can be adjusted by the polystyrene concentration, which affects the pore texture as well as the mechanical properties of the aerogel monolith. In this study, we used monodisperse polystyrene spheres of approximately 250 nm diameter, which result in an inner diameter of the final hollow carbon spheres of approximately 200 ± 5 nm due to shrinkage during the carbonization process. The excellent homogeneity of the samples, as well as uniform sphere geometries, are confirmed by small- and angle X-ray scattering. The presence of macropores between the hollow spheres creates a monolithic network with the benefit of being reversibly compressible up to 10% linear strain without destruction. Electrochemical tests demonstrate the applicability of ground and CO2 activated carbon spherogels as electrode materials. © 2019 The Authors
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    In-situ and ex-situ measurements of thermal conductivity of supercapacitors
    (Amsterdam [u.a.] : Elsevier, 2014) Hauge, H.H.; Presser, V.; Burheim, O.
    Thermal signature of supercapacitors are investigated in-situ and ex-situ using commercial supercapacitors. Regarding the in-situ method, four supercapacitors were connected in series, with thermocouples embedded between the supercapacitors. As the applied current was increased, the temperature measured at the intrinsic positions also increased. When cycling at a current density of 0.11Acm-2 the centre temperature increased by 14K compared to the stack surface temperature. This is an important figure as literature states that an increase of 10K leads to a corresponding decrease in the lifetime by a factor of 2. Using the obtained temperature profiles, the effective thermal conductivity of the stack was found to vary between 0.5WK-1m-1 and 1.0WK-1m-1, depending on the compaction of the stack. For the ex-situ measurements, the thermal conductivity and the thicknesses of the supercapacitor material layers were measured individually in order to determine the corresponding thermal conductivity of the stack. When using this method an effective thermal conductivity of the stack of 0.53 ± 0.06WK-1m-1 was obtained. The analysis also demonstrated that the main contributor to the thermal resistivity and conductivity of the supercapacitor construction is the electrodes. This demonstrates that when managing heat from supercapacitors it is important to focus on the thermal conductivity of the components materials.
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    Degradation analysis of tribologically loaded carbon nanotubes and carbon onions
    ([London] : Macmillan Publishers Limited, 2023) MacLucas, T.; Grützmacher, P.; Husmann, S.; Schmauch, J.; Keskin, S.; Suarez, S.; Presser, V.; Gachot, C.; Mücklich, F.
    Coating laser-patterned stainless-steel surfaces with carbon nanotubes (CNT) or carbon onions (CO) forms a tribological system that provides effective solid lubrication. Lubricant retention represents the fundamental mechanism of this system, as storing the particles inside the pattern prevents lubricant depletion in the contact area. In previous works, we used direct laser interference patterning to create line patterns with three different structural depths on AISI 304 stainless-steel platelets. Electrophoretic deposition subsequently coated the patterned surfaces with either CNTs or COs. Ball-on-disc friction tests were conducted to study the effect of structural depth on the solid lubricity of as-described surfaces. The results demonstrated that the shallower the textures, the lower the coefficient of friction, regardless of the applied particle type. This follow-up study examines the carbon nanoparticles’ structural degradation after friction testing on substrates patterned with different structural depths (0.24, 0.36, and 0.77 µm). Raman characterization shows severe degradation of both particle types and is used to classify their degradation state within Ferrari’s three-stage amorphization model. It was further shown that improving CNT lubricity translates into increasing particle defectivity. This is confirmed by electron microscopy, which shows decreasing crystalline domains. Compared to CNTs, CO-derived tribofilms show even more substantial structural degradation.
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    Redox-electrolytes for non-flow electrochemical energy storage: A critical review and best practice
    (Amsterdam : Elsevier, 2019) Lee, J.; Srimuk, P.; Fleischmann, S.; Su, X.; Hatton, T.A.; Presser, V.
    Over recent decades, a new type of electric energy storage system has emerged with the principle that the electric charge can be stored not only at the interface between the electrode and the electrolyte but also in the bulk electrolyte by redox activities of the electrolyte itself. Those redox electrolytes are promising for non-flow hybrid energy storage systems, or redox electrolyte-aided hybrid energy storage (REHES) systems; particularly, when they are combined with highly porous carbon electrodes. In this review paper, critical design considerations for the REHES systems are discussed as well as the effective electrochemical characterization techniques. Appropriate evaluation of the electrochemical performance is discussed thoroughly, including advanced analytical techniques for the determination of the electrochemical stability of the redox electrolytes and self-discharge rate. Additionally, critical summary tables for the recent progress on REHES systems are provided. Furthermore, the unique synergistic combination of porous carbon materials and redox electrolytes is introduced in terms of the diffusion, adsorption, and electrochemical kinetics modulating energy storage in REHES systems. © 2018 The Author(s)