Effect of ultrasonic treatment of activated carbon on capacitive and pseudocapacitive energy storage in electrochemical supercapacitors

Purpose: Use of ultrasonic radiation for improving the properties of activated carbon was the aim of this paper. Increase of density of states at Fermi level was the main factor, responsible for working characteristics of electrochemical supercapacitors. Design/methodology/approach: Working parameters of supercapacitors on the base of activated carbon have been studied by means of precisional porometry, small angle X-ray scattering, cyclic voltamerometry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and computer simulation methods. Findings: The possibility to effect the interface between activated carbon and electrolyte by means of ultrasonic treatment in cavitation and noncavitation regimes is proved. It is shown that ultrasonic treatment in noncavitation regimes causes the significant increase of density of states at Fermi level that results in better farad-volt dependences. Research limitations/implications: This research is a complete and accomplished work. Practical implications: Modification of electric double layer by meanans in ultrasonic treatment, proposed in this work, could be regarded as effective way to obtaine the advanced electrode materials in devices of energy generation and storage. Originality/value: This work is important for physics, material science and chemistry because it is related with new possibilities to change the mobility of charge carries in electric double layer by means of ultrasonic irradiation.