Integration of RuO2/conductive fiber composites within carbonized micro-electrode array for supercapacitors

This study employed a carbon microelectromechanical system (C-MEMS) in fabricating a 3D microelectrode array of conductive carbon cylinders directly on the surface of a graphite substrate. The capacitance of the array was further enhanced by decorating it with a composite material comprising highly-porous carbon nanofibers (CF) and electroactive RuO2 nanoparticles to function as an active electrode. In galvanostatic charge-discharge tests, the specific capacitance of an electrode decorated with RuO2 30 wt%/CF was 219.2 F g(-1) at a current density of 0.5 A g(-1), which is 2.27 times higher than that of the pristine CF electrode. When the current density was increased from 0.5 A g(-1) to 3 A g(-1), the capacitance retention of the RuO2 30 wt%/CF electrode was 54.8%. A symmetric supercapacitor based on the RuO2 30 wt%/CF composite electrode exhibited an impressive energy density of 74.2 Wh kg(-1) with power density of 4333 W kg(-1). It also demonstrated good capacitance retention of 80.2% following 3000 consecutive charge/discharge cycles at a current density of 2 A g(-1). (C) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study utilized C-MEMS technology to fabricate a 3D microelectrode array on a graphite substrate, resulting in a high specific capacitance. By decorating the array with composite materials, the capacitance was further enhanced. The electrode decorated with RuO2 30 wt%/CF showed excellent capacitance performance in galvanostatic charge-discharge tests.