Systems and methods for implementing high-temperature tolerant supercapacitors
Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention implement high-temperature tolerant supercapacitors. In one embodiment, a high-temperature tolerant super capacitor includes a first electrode that is thermally stable between at least approximately 80° C. and approximately 300° C.; a second electrode that is thermally stable between at least approximately 80° C. and approximately 300° C.; an ionically conductive separator that is thermally stable between at least approximately 80° C. and 300° C.; an electrolyte that is thermally stable between approximately at least 80° C. and approximately 300° C.; where the first electrode and second electrode are separated by the separator such that the first electrode and second electrode are not in physical contact; and where each of the first electrode and second electrode is at least partially immersed in the electrolyte solution.
1. A high-temperature tolerant supercapacitor comprising:
a first electrode that is thermally stable between at least approximately 80° C. and approximately 300° C.;
a second electrode that is thermally stable between at least approximately 80° C. and approximately 300° C.;
wherein at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode comprises a composite material used in conjunction with a binder that is thermally stable between at least approximately 80° C. and approximately 300° C.;
an ionically conductive separator that is thermally stable between at least approximately 80° C. and 300° C.; and
an electrolyte that is thermally stable between at least approximately 80° C. and approximately 300° C.;
wherein the first electrode and second electrode are separated by the separator such that the first electrode and second electrode are not in physical contact; and
wherein each of the first electrode and second electrode is at least partially immersed in the electrolyte solution.
2. The high-temperature tolerant supercapacitor of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode comprises carbon.
3. The high-temperature tolerant supercapacitor of claim 2 , wherein the carbon is in the form of one of: woven carbon cloth, carbon aerogel, and activated carbon.
4. The high-temperature tolerant supercapacitor of claim 3 , wherein the carbon is porous.
5. The high-temperature tolerant supercapacitor of claim 4 , wherein the carbon's surface area per unit mass is greater than approximately 1000 m 2 /g.
6. The high-temperature tolerant supercapacitor of claim 5 , wherein the carbon's surface area per unit mass is greater than approximately 2000 m 2 /g.
7. The high-temperature tolerant supercapacitor of claim 6 , wherein the carbon is embodied within Spectracarb 2225.
8. The high-temperature tolerant supercapacitor of claim 1 , wherein the binder is polytetrafluoroethylene.
9. The high-temperature tolerant supercapacitor of claim 1 , wherein the electrolyte is used in conjunction with a solvent that is thermally stable between at least approximately 80° C. and approximately 300° C.
10. The high-temperature tolerant supercapacitor of claim 1 , wherein the electrolyte is in the form of an ionic liquid.
11. The high-temperature tolerant supercapacitor of claim 10 , wherein the ionic liquid comprises a pyrrolidinium-based cation.
12. The high-temperature tolerant supercapacitor of claim 10 , wherein the ionic liquid comprises an imidazolium-based cation.
13. The high-temperature tolerant supercapacitor of claim 10 , wherein the ionic liquid is one of: 1-butyl-3-methlimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (BMIm) and 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (BMPIm).
14. The high-temperature tolerant supercapacitor of claim 1 , wherein the separator comprises one of: zirconia, silica, glass mat fiber, silicon carbide, boron nitride, zirconium oxide, and a polymer.
15. The high-temperature tolerant supercapacitor of claim 1 , wherein the separator comprises Zircar Type ZYK-15.
16. The high-temperature tolerant supercapacitor of claim 1 , wherein the first electrode, the second electrode, the ionically conductive separator, and the electrolyte, are arranged such that they can act in aggregate to enable the operation of a supercapacitor.
17. The high-temperature tolerant supercapacitor of claim 16 , wherein the first electrode, the second electrode, the ionically conductive separator, and the electrolyte, are arranged such that they can act in aggregate to enable the operation of a supercapacitor that can withstand a charging voltage of greater than approximately 1.5 volts.
18. The high-temperature tolerant supercapacitor of claim 17 , wherein the first electrode, the second electrode, the ionically conductive separator, and the electrolyte, are arranged such that they can act in aggregate to enable the operation of a supercapacitor that can exhibit a round-trip efficiency of greater than approximately 90%.
19. The high-temperature tolerant supercapacitor of claim 17 , wherein the electrolyte is characterized by a low vapor pressure.