KSEF RDE: Investigating the Effects of Electrochemical Cycling on the Mechanical Behavior of Activated Carbon Nanospheres

Carbon nanospheres exhibit unique properties and show promising performance in energy storage devices with high capacity/capacitance, high energy and power density, etc. Using activated carbon nanospheres (ACNSs) in electrochemical double layer capacitors (EDLCs) has the potential of increasing electric conductivity, packing density, and volumetric energy density. The realization of ACNSs-based EDLCs critically depends on developing solutions to a wide variety of multi-disciplinary problems that limit the design, fabrication, and operational reliability of advanced EDLC systems. It is believed that the optimization of electrochemical functions requires a comprehensive understanding of the materials and structural durability in the EDLCs environment. Of major importance are issues which pertain to the prediction and control of the electromechanical behavior of activated carbon nanospheres in the EDLC environment. The principal objective of the proposed research is to investigate the mechanical response of activated carbon nanospheres during electrochemical cycling. A closely coupled experimental and modeling approach will be used to accomplish the objective. Specific tasks outlined in this proposal to accomplish the objective are: (i) characterize the effects of electrochemical cycling on the mechanical behavior of ACNSs; (ii) perform numerical modeling on the mechanical response of ACNSs under the action of electrochemical cycling; (iii) build future workforce vital to national and Kentucky energy industry by training graduate students with both experimental and numerical simulation skills essential to understanding the electrical-chemical-mechanical behavior of materials. The accomplishment of these tasks will lead to the synthetic control of advanced material architectures, potentially resulting in the breakthroughs that can improve the electrical-chemical-mechanical durability of the ACNSs-based EDLCs. This study ventures into an emerging research, which will potentially lead to the control of the structural integrity of ACNSs-based EDLCs and help to predict and prolong the life of EDLCs. The research results will help the researchers at the University of Kentucky seek federal funding to establish a strong research program in the development of advanced materials for energy storage.