Supercapacitors current research activities

Abstract This chapter reviews state-of-the-art development in the field of sohd polymer electrolytes for supercapacitors and discusses their specific features. The main themes discussed are based on individual series of sohd polymer electrolytes such as ion exchange resins, polyethers, polymer gels and nanocomposites, followed by supercapacitor types, electrode types and supercapacitors reported under various kinds of sohd electrolytes. This is followed by information on hybrid supercapacitors and current research activities and finally a conclnsion. 

In conclusion, KOH and NaOH activation is certainly able to provide activated carbons with the most adapted nanotextural characteristics for supercapacitors, at a reasonable cost. However, it must be pointed out that before to state definitively on the interest of these materials, long-term capacitor performance should be investigated. In order to fulfiU the practical demand, only carbons with a small RC constant, low leakage current, and limited self-discharge should be selected. The important research work which has been performed lately, especially by the companies developing supercapacitors, seems to indicate that impurities, even at a low level, or particular functional groups on carbon may strongly affect the calendar life of these devices. 

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