What Are the Requirements for Active Materials Used in EDLC Electrodes?

[Rathy Cato]

Electric double layer capacitor is charge storage device which using the mechanism of forming electric double layer on the interface between electrolyte and electrode. What is the requirement for active materials that used for electrode, is it require high conductivity and good chemical stability? then why carbon based materials such as activated carbon and carbon nanotube will be suitable? carbon is not conductive right...or only non-conductive material can used for active material for EDLC electrode's active material to form the electric double layer?

 

[Navin A S]

The active material used for EDLC electrode does not necessarily require high conductivity, but rather good chemical stability and high surface area. The formation of an electric double layer is a process of charge separation, which occurs at the interface between electrolyte and electrode. Carbon based materials such as activated carbon and carbon nanotube are suitable because they have high surface area, which leads to charge storage capability. Furthermore, they are chemically stable and are therefore capable of withstanding the harsh conditions present in EDLCs.