Surface modification of activated carbon with cold plasma treatment for high power capacitor

Abstract

A novel surface modification approach using cold plasma treatment of carbon dioxide (CO2) was picked up to improve the capacitance and the energy storage performance of the electrode at higher current densities. The modified activated carbon (AC) electrodes for the electric double-layer capacitor were found to have greater capacitance than that of the untreated electrode at high charge/discharge current densities. The capacitance ratio was 2.0 at 100 mA/cm2. From N2 adsorption/desorption measurements and cycle performance, the effect of the surface modification of the activated carbon electrode was discussed on the basis of the physical and chemical properties of the surface.