0013-4651/2012/159(12)/A2053/7/$28.00 © The Electrochemical Society The Influence of Pore Structure and Surface Groups on the Performance of High Voltage Electrochemical Double Layer Capacitors Containing Adiponitrile-Based Electrolyte

In this work we considered the influence of pore structure, morphology and surface chemistry on the electrochemical performance of activated carbon in the electrolyte 0.7 M Et4NBF4 ADN. We showed that the treatment of commercial activated carbon with CO2 is a promising strategy for the realization of a material with high affinity for ADN-based electrolyte. When composite electrodes containing this carbon are used in combination with 0.7 M Et4NBF4 ADN, it is possible to realize high performance EDLCs with operative voltages of 3.5 V and 3.6 V. During tests carried out at a current density of 1 A g−1, an EDLC operating at 3.6 V containing 0.7 M Et4NBF4 ADN as electrolyte delivers an average energy and power of 45 Wh kg−1 and 1.5 kW kg−1, respectively, and a capacitance retention of more than 80 % after 50,000 cycles