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Self-Discharge of Supercapacitors: A Review

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Abstract

The literature on the self-discharge of supercapacitors is reviewed, the advantages of electrochemical supercapacitors over batteries are formulated. The principal disadvantage of the electrochemical supercapacitors is their rapid self-discharge. A study of self-discharge of electrochemical supercapacitors was conducted; methods of the self-discharge studying, the effect of functional carbon groups on the self-discharge, the self-discharge mechanisms and mathematical modeling of the self-discharge are described. The development of new supercapacitor devices destined to minimize the self-discharge is described, including additives to the electrolyte, solid-state supercapacitors, electrochemical supercapacitors with ion-exchange membranes, the using of pure electrolytes, methods of the electrode chemical modification to slow down self-discharge. A study of self-discharge of electrochemical supercapacitors with electrodes based on activated carbon cloth CH 900 (the Kuraray Co. production) and 1 M MgSO4 aqueous electrolyte is conducted. The rate of self-discharge after ~70 min after its start is found to be proportional to the charging voltage. The voltage dependence of the self-discharge rate at 2000 min after its start goes through a minimum. This minimum is explained, firstly, by a significant contribution to the capacity from the Faradaic redox-reaction pseudo-capacity involving the functional groups; secondly, the very presence of these groups increases the self-discharge rate. It is the former factor that dominates in the low-voltage region; the second one, in the high voltage region.

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Funding

The work was supported by the Ministry of Sciences and Higher Education of RF.

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  1. Frumkin Institute of Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119071, Moscow, Russia

    Yu. M. Volfkovich

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Correspondence to Yu. M. Volfkovich.

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Translated by Yu. Pleskov

Delivered at the 16th International Conference “Basic Problems of Solid-State Ionics,” Chernogolovka, June 27–July 3, 2022.

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Volfkovich, Y.M. Self-Discharge of Supercapacitors: A Review. Russ J Electrochem 59, 24–36 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1134/S1023193523010123

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