Background: Currently MnO2 is commonly coated onto current collectors to form very thin films with a thickness of ten to one-thousand nanometers in order to minimize the limitation of poor conductivity. Therefore the relative amount of MnO2 on current collector is always low and does not provide sufficient energy and power density. Technology Description: Wayne State University researchers have developed a novel method for the preparation of unique 3-D composites of conductive graphene and high capacitance MnO2 as electrode materials to fabricate asymmetric aqueous supercapacitors for energy-storage applications. In this invention the novel composites are constructed using 2-D graphene sheets with atomic thickness and 1-D MnO2 nanowires of a controlled size for applications in high-energy high-power and low-cost aqueous supercapacitors for electrochemical energy storage. The use of aqueous electrolytes over organic electrolytes offers better ionic conductivity and lower production costs which makes them well suited for use in next-generation large scale supercapacitors. Furthermore the use of aqueous electrolytes overcomes the toxicity high costs and environmental hazards associated with the use of organic electrolytes in current supercapacitor technology. Applications: 1) Mobile electronic devices 2) Electric vehicles 3) Industrial equipment 4) Military devices 5) Energy grids
1) Improves the energy density of supercapacitors 2) Improves cycle life of MnO2 based supercapacitors 3) Use of aqueous electrolyte reduces the dangers and environmental hazard typically associated with organic electrolytes 4) Use of low cost aqueous electrolyte reduce overall costs of large scale applications