Evaluation of electric double-layer capacitors with electrode materials using a gel derived from a polymer hydrogelator in the device fabrication process

Abstract

To assess the impact of modifying the material form during the device fabrication process, we made a new attempt using a polymer hydrogelator to transform the liquid state, typically used in the fabrication of electrochemical devices such as electric double-layer capacitors (EDLCs), into a gel-state. For this purpose, an EDLC was constructed with a polymer hydrogel binder, and the benefits of using a semi-solid gel binder were evaluated by comparing it to a liquid binder. In the same sample with the same mixture ratio, the gel binder exhibited a larger capacity under low current density conditions. This suggests that even materials that are not ionically conductive can have advantages, such as improved adhesion of carbon particles owing to the gel's viscosity, better transmission of external forces, and more uniform assembly of carbon particles facilitated by the presence of gel fibres.