Asymmetric hybrid supercapacitors based on nanotube nanowire composites

Abstract

An asymmetric supercapacitor includes a first structure and a second structure spaced apart from said second structure. One of the structures comprises an anode, and the other of the first and second structures comprises a cathode, wherein the first structure comprises an activated carbon electrode, and the second structure comprises a nanocomposite electrode. The nanocomposite electrode comprises a first network of nanowires that are interpenetrating with a second network of carbon nanotubes.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An asymmetric supercapacitor, comprising:
 a first structure; and   a second structure spaced apart from said second structure;   wherein one of the first and second structures comprises an anode, and one of the first and second structures comprises a cathode;   wherein the first structure comprises an activated carbon electrode;   wherein the second structure comprises a nanocomposite electrode; and   wherein the nanocomposite electrode comprises a first network of nanowires that are interpenetrating with a second network of nanowires.   
     
     
         2 . An asymmetric supercapacitor as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first network of nanowires and second network of nanowires form a composite mesh of nanowires that form hierarchical porous channels, such that substantially all pores in the supercapacitor electrode have diameters less than 20 nm or greater than 100 nm. 
     
     
         3 . An asymmetric supercapacitor as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first network of nanowires comprises metal oxide nanowires. 
     
     
         4 . An asymmetric supercapacitor as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the second network of nanowires comprise carbon nanotubes (CNTs). 
     
     
         5 . An asymmetric supercapacitor as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the first network of nanowires comprises V 2 O 5  nanowires. 
     
     
         6 . An asymmetric supercapacitor as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the CNT's provide conductive pathways for electron transport and current collection. 
     
     
         7 . An asymmetric supercapacitor as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the first structure comprises the anode and the second structure comprises the cathode. 
     
     
         8 . An asymmetric supercapacitor as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the first structure comprises the cathode and the second structure comprises the anode. 
     
     
         9 . An asymmetric supercapacitor as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the nanocomposite electrode has a thickness greater than 100 μm. 
     
     
         10 . An asymmetric supercapacitor as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the first and second structures each comprise a substrate supporting the active carbon and nanocomposite electrodes; and
 wherein the supercapacitor further comprises an electrically insulating separator between the first structure and the second structure.   
     
     
         11 . An asymmetric supercapacitor as recited in  claim 1 :
 an anode; and   a cathode;   wherein the anode comprises an activated carbon electrode;   wherein the cathode comprises a nanocomposite electrode; and   wherein the nanocomposite electrode comprises a first network that are interpenetrating with a second network interpenetrating first and second networks of nanowires form a mesh structure.   
     
     
         12 . An asymmetric supercapacitor as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the mesh structure forms hierarchical porous channels, such that substantially all pores in the supercapacitor electrode have diameters less than 20 nm or greater than 100 nm. 
     
     
         13 . An asymmetric supercapacitor as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the first network of nanowires comprises metal oxide nanowires. 
     
     
         14 . An asymmetric supercapacitor as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the second network of nanowires comprise carbon nanotubes (CNTs). 
     
     
         15 . An asymmetric supercapacitor as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the first network of nanowires comprises V 2 O 5  nanowires. 
     
     
         16 . An asymmetric supercapacitor as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the CNTs provide conductive pathways for electron transport and current collection. 
     
     
         17 . An asymmetric supercapacitor as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the nanocomposite electrode has a thickness greater than 100 μm. 
     
     
         18 . An asymmetric supercapacitor as recited in  claim 16 , further comprising:
 an electrolyte;   
       wherein the mesh structure forms hierarchical porous channels;
 wherein the V 2 O 5  nanowires are configured to react with said electrolyte; and 
 wherein the porous channels promote electrolyte transport. 
 
     
     
         19 . An asymmetric supercapacitor as recited in  claim 11 :
 an anode; and   a cathode;   wherein the cathode comprises an activated carbon electrode;   wherein the anode comprises a nanocomposite electrode; and   wherein the nanocomposite electrode comprises a first network of nanowires that are interpenetrating with a second network interpenetrating first and second networks of nanowires form a mesh structure having hierarchical porous channels.   
     
     
         20 . An asymmetric supercapacitor as recited in  claim 19 , wherein the first network of nanowires comprises metal oxide nanowires. 
     
     
         21 . An asymmetric supercapacitor as recited in  claim 20 , wherein the second network of nanowires comprise carbon nanotubes (CNTs). 
     
     
         22 . An asymmetric supercapacitor as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the first network of nanowires comprises V 2 O 5  nanowires. 
     
     
         23 . An asymmetric supercapacitor as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the nanocomposite electrode has a thickness greater than 100 μm.