Drexel and European collaborators advance understanding of energy storage mechanisms in nature materials

Scientists have produced the first quantitative picture of the structure of ionic liquid absorbed inside disordered microporous carbon electrodes in supercapacitors -- the low-cost, lightweight energy storage devices used in many electronics, transportation and other applications. Supercapacitors have the capability of storing and delivering more power than batteries; moreover, they can last for up to a million of charge-discharge cycles. These characteristics are significant because of the intermittent nature of renewable energy production. The molecular mechanism of ion behavior in pores smaller than one nanometer-one billionth of a meter- remains poorly understood which is why the mechanism proposed in this research opens the door for the design of materials with improved energy storage capabilities. The results of this study provide guidance for development of better electrical energy storage devices that will ultimately enable wide utilization of renewable energy sources.