Multifunctional Vertical Graphene Hybrids for High-Density Supercapacitors

Currently available commercial rechargeable energy storage devices have many difficulties, including long-term raw materials availability, high prices and safety issues. The current energy resources based on Li-ion batteries (LIBs) have to be replaced due to their high price and safety issues. Given the socio-economic demand, the future direction of energy devices is focused on a long-standing energy device to provide high energy and power density. Owing to the fast discharge capabilities and long-term cycle life, supercapacitors have shown potential capabilities to be the next-generation energy devices. Meanwhile, supercapacitors face several challenges such as technical problems with designing electrode structure and electrolytes, consistency testing, energy density and attaining industry standards. Therefore, a breakthrough solution for addressing the technical challenges is required to make cost-effective supercapacitors as future energy solutions. To achieve this goal, this research proposal will explore the potential of an environmental-friendly plasma-enabled approach for designing advanced electrode materials. The proposed plasma-designed hybrid electrode design will comprise vertical graphene (VG) and covalent organic frameworks. Besides, the surface engineering ability of plasma will be utilized for creating a large number of redox-active centres in the hybrid electrodes improving the electrochemical performance. The proposed research will go beyond the existing power and energy performances with a combination of VG and COF networks to produce multifunctional electrodes for high-energy-density supercapacitors. The proposed approach in this project will give precise control over the thickness of the electrode structure to overcome the technical difficulties in the electrode fabrication techniques. Also, this project will strive to understand the reaction pathways and unveil the role of channels in the energy storage processes in COF-based electrodes operando spectroscopic techniques. Considering the potential of an advanced electrode featuring superior capacitive storage, high energy density, and good reusability, redox-active VG/COF hybrids will go beyond the existing state-of-the-art development in supercapacitor research.