Designing ionic channels in novel carbons for electrochemical energy storage

Natl Sci Rev. 2020 Jan;7(1):191-201. doi: 10.1093/nsr/nwz140. Epub 2019 Sep 13.

Abstract

Tremendous efforts have been dedicated to developing high-performance energy storage devices based on the micro- or nano-manipulation of novel carbon electrodes, as certain nanocarbons are perceived to have advantages such as high specific surface areas, superior electric conductivities, excellent mechanical properties and so on. In typical electrochemical electrodes, ions are intercalated/deintercalated into/from the bulk (for batteries) or adsorbed/desorbed on/from the surface (for electrochemical capacitors). Fast ionic transport, significantly determined by ionic channels in active electrodes or supporting materials, is a prerequisite for the efficient energy storage with carbons. In this report, we summarize recent design strategies for ionic channels in novel carbons and give comments on the promising features based on those carbons towards tailorable ionic channels.

Keywords: carbon materials; electrochemical energy storage; ion kinetics; ionic channels.

Publication types

  • Review