Activated Carbon for Supercapacitor Applications
In the broad spectrum of energy storage devices, supercapacitors are a bridge between traditional dielectric capacitors and batteries.
While activated carbon (AC) is at the center of most supercapacitor applications and technologies, its properties—and the method of application—are specific to the storage device and mechanism.
This activated carbon is called “porous carbon” in the manufacturing industry, even though this term is usually reserved for activated carbon used in anode production for lithium-ion batteries.
Electric Double-Layer Capacitors (EDLCs), Supercapacitors, and Ultracapacitors store energy purely through the physical adsorption of ions at the electrode-electrolyte interface.
Which activated carbon is recommended for ELDCs, supercapacitors, and ultracapacitors?
Coconut Shell Activated Carbon (CSAC) is the industry standard recommended for commercial EDLCs due to its naturally high microporosity and low ash content:
· Naturally high microporosity
· Low ash content
· High internal surface area
· Its structure is ideal for the rapid, non-chemical adsorption of ions
Why CSAC is recommended for supercapacitors: Since storage is electrostatic, capacitance is directly proportional to the surface area accessible to ions.
A high BET(Brunauer-Emmett-Teller method) internal surface area is preferred. Global Adsorbents Private Limited can supply grades with a minimum BET internal surface area of 1800 m²/gram.
This is checked through an in-house BET analyzer as part of quality control.
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How does the ash content of the carbon impact our cell's ESR (Equivalent Series Resistance) and cycle life?
High ash content introduces metallic impurities that can catalyze parasitic reactions, leading to self-discharge and accelerated degradation.
Regardless of the precursor, you should demand “High Purity” grades of activated carbon to ensure low Equivalent Series Resistance (ESR) and maximum cycle life.
Global Adsorbents Private Limited manufactures ultra-high-purity-grade activated carbon for supercapacitors with ash levels as low as 0.5% and acid-soluble ash as low as 0.05%.
What is the particle size needed for EDLCs, supercapacitors, and ultracapacitors?
Such activated carbon is supplied as a very fine powder. A manufacturer’s quality can be assessed based on a Malvern analysis (particle size distribution) of their activated carbon products.
Global Adsorbents Private Limited has a special miller/pulveriser through which the right size is maintained.
The exact size is a trade secret, which is revealed to potential customers while consulting with our experts, who possess the expertise to guarantee high efficiency and optimize usage of activated carbon in supercapacitors.
If you are looking for a manufacturer to customize the particle size distribution as per your requirements, please get in touch with our experts by clicking the link below.