Dr. Jae-Jin Shim
Yeungnam University, South Korea
Title: How to enhance the electrochemical performance of supercapacitors and photocatalysts?
Biography
Biography: Dr. Jae-Jin Shim
Abstract
Electrical double layer capacitors (EDLC) such as activated carbon have high power densities but do not have high energy densities, which hurdles the use of supercapacitors in many commercial sectors. To overcome this problem, many researchers have been working to improve the energy density of supercapacitors. Metal oxides or sulfides have been employed to exploit their pseudocapacitive natures in energy storage (supercapacitor) and photocatalyst applications. They have shown good electrochemical performances, but have not been satisfactory. Various materials such as graphene and carbon nanotubes have studied to enhance the electrochemical properties owing to their large surface area and high electrical conductivity. Synergistic effects of excellent conductivities of graphene and high electrical properties of metal oxides or polymers have improved the overall electrochemical performances tremendously.
In this study, graphene, graphene oxide, and reduced graphene oxide have been tested for improving performances as supercapacitors and photocatalysts. Other methods have also been used such as doping of graphene with nitrogen or sulfur, using metal sulfides instead of metal oxides, and using highly porous materials as substrates. In the synthesis of these materials, a cleaner technology has been employed.