The objective of this thesis is to study the effect of process conditions on structure and electrochemical properties of polyacrylonitrile (PAN)/carbon nanotube (CNT) composite film based electrodes developed for electrochemical capacitors. The process parameters like activation temperature, CNT loading in the composite films are varied to determine optimum process conditions for physical (CO2) and chemical (KOH) activation methods. The PAN/CNT precursors are stabilized in air, carbonized in inert atmosphere (argon), and activated by physical (CO2) and chemical (KOH) methods. The physical activation process is carried out by heat treating the carbon precursors in CO2 atmosphere at activation temperatures. In the chemical activation process, stabilized carbon precursors are immersed in aqueous solutions of activating media (KOH), dried, and subsequently heat treated in an inert atmosphere at the activation temperature. The structure and morphology are probed using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The specific capacitance, power and energy density of the activated electrodes are evaluated with aqueous electrolytes (KOH) as well as organic electrolyte (ionic liquid in acetonitrile) in Cell Test. The surface area and pore size distribution of the activated composite electrodes are evaluated using nitrogen absorption. Specific capacitance dependence on factors such as surface area and pore size distribution are studied. A maximum specific capacitance of 300 F/g in KOH electrolyte and maximum energy density of 22 wh/kg in ionic liquid has been achieved. BET surface areas in excess of 2500 m2/g with controlled pore sizes in 1 - 5 nm range has been attained in this work.

Les oxydes simple ou double de métaux de transition (OMTs) sont des matériaux prometteurs pour les applications en tant qu’électrode dans des pseudo supercondensateurs ou des supercondensateur redox car ils peuvent présenter un gain de densité d’énergie résultant des réactions redox.Ce mémoire de thèse a pour but l’étude et l’optimisation du comportement électrochimique d’électrodes d’ oxydes simple de manganèse ainsi que le développement de nouvelles électrodes à base d’oxydes doubles (OMTs) conçues pour le stockage d’énergie dans les supercondensateurs redox , grâce au dépôt de ces matériaux actifs sur un collecteur de courant en acier inoxydable par électrodéposition ce qui représente une technique flexible et peu couteuse.Afin d’étudier ces électrodes, leurs propriétés physico-chemique ont été caractérisées par microscopie électronique (SEM/TEM), spectroscopie X à dispersion d’énergie (EDX), par diffraction X (XRD), par spectroscopies Raman & Infrarrougee (FTIR), par microsopie à force atomique (AFM) et par magnétométrie SQUID (superconducting quantum interference device). Leurs propriétés electrochimique ont été caractérisées par voltamperométrie cyclique et chronopotentiométrie.Les résultats détaillent la croissance et les caractérisations physico-chimique et électrochimique de plusieurs oxydes TMOS (TM=Mn, Mn-Co, Ni-Mn) ainsi que d’hydroxydes de Ni-Co préparés par électrodéposition. Le contrôle de la morphologie et de l’architecture des électrodes, en vue de créer des surfaces ayant des grandes surfaces actives, est le paramètre clé pour augmenter la performance du pseudo-condensateur. Dans le détail, le travail de recherche a contribué au développement de nouveau matériaux pour des électrodes à base d’oxyde (et hydroxydes) pour les supercondensateurs redox par: (i) la mise en œuvre de nouvelles électrodes avec des bonnes performances pseudocapacitive pour des supercondesateurs (Mn oxydes, Ni-Mn oxydes, Ni-Co hydroxydes), (ii) la pleine compréhension de l’effet du recuit sur la transformation de l’hydroxyde préparés par électrodéposition en oxyde et de la corrélation résultante avec les propriétés électrochimiques pour des électrodes à base d’oxyde Mn-Co, (iii) la description détaillée du mécanisme de croissance de films d’ oxyde de Mn préparés par électrodéposition à partir d’électrolytes à base de nitrates, (iv) la mise en évidence d’une méthode prometteuse de mise en forme et contrôle de la morphologie de surface d’oxydes mixtes préparés par électrodéposition et ce à travers le contrôle de la croissance d’oxyde simples , (v) la compréhension du mécanisme de nucléation des hydroxydes préparés par électrodéposition (Ni-Co hydroxydes). Les résultats de ce mémoire de thèse vont au delà de l’état de l’art et apportent des faits marquants pour l’avancée du développement de nouveaux matériaux pour électrodes dans des supercondensateurs redox. / Transition metal oxides (TMOs) and double TMOs are promising materials for application as electrodes in pseudo supercapacitors or redox supercapacitors because they can exhibit increased energy density resulted from redox reactions.This PhD dissertation aims at studying and improving the electrochemical behavior of single TMOs - manganese oxides and at developing new double TMOs electrodes tailored for energy storage in redox supercapacitors, by depositing the active materials directly on stainless steel current collector via a flexible and costless electrodeposition route.To study these electrodes for supercapacitors, their physic-chemical properties were characterized by scanning/transmission electron microscopy (SEM/TEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman & Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID). Their electrochemical properties were characterized by cyclic voltammetry and chronopotentiometry.The results have detailed the growing, physic-chemical and electrochemical characterizations of Mn oxides, Mn-Co oxides, Ni-Mn oxides and Ni-Co hydroxides prepared by electrodeposition. Tailoring the morphology and architecture these electrodes and creating surfaces exhibiting high surface area are key parameters for enhanced pseudocapacitive performance. In detail, the research work contributed to the development of novel oxide (and hydroxides) materials for redox supercapacitors by: (i) providing novel electrodes with good pseudocapacitive performance for supercapacitors (Mn oxides, Ni-Mn oxides, Ni-Co hydroxides), (ii) fully understanding the effect of annealing on the transformation from electrodeposited mixed hydroxides to mixed oxide and their correlation with electrochemical properties for the Mn-Co oxide – based electrodes, (iii) detailing the growing mechanisms of Mn oxide films electrodeposited from nitrate based electrolyte, (iv) revealing a promising way of tailoring surface morphology of electrodeposited mixed oxides by controlling the growth of single oxides, (v) understanding the nucleation mechanism of hydroxides prepared by electrodeposition (Ni-Co hydroxides).Thus, the results of this PhD dissertation go beyond the state-of-the-art and provided valuable highlights to advance the development of novel electrode materials for redox supercapacitors.

The behavior of 2D materials has become of great interest in the wake of development of electrochemical double-layer capacitors (EDLCs) and the discovery of monolayer graphene by Geim and Novoselov. This study aims to analyze the response variance of 2D electrode materials for EDLCs prepared through the liquid-phase exfoliation method when subjected to differing conditions. Once exfoliated, samples are tested with a series of structural characterization methods, including tunneling electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. A new ionic liquid for EDLC use, 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium tris(pentafluoroethyl)trifluorophosphate is compared in performance to 6M potassium hydroxide aqueous electrolyte. Devices composed of liquid-phase exfoliated graphene / MoS2 composites are analyzed by concentration for ideal performance. Device performance under cold extreme temperatures for the ionic fluid is presented as well. A brief overview of by-layer analysis of graphene electrode materials is presented as-is. All samples were tested with cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge-discharge, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, with good capacitive results. The evolution of electrochemical behavior through the altered parameters is tracked as well.

The technology employed by human beings for the generation, storage and usage of energy is presently undergoing the fastest and most profound change since the industrial revolution. The changes in the generation and usage of energy necessitate the development of new methods of energy storage. In these systems, electrochemical energy storage will play a crucial role and to this end new electrolytes need to be explored to complement these changes. One such class of liquids is ionic liquids, a class of salts that are molten at room temperature. These liquids have a broad applicability to batteries and supercapacitors. This thesis details work where molecular dynamics simulations have been used to explore the nanostructure of ionic liquids and their mixtures with various molecular solvents at simplistic electrodes. The thesis has two broad sections. The first is covered in Chapter 3, and explores the nanostructure of ionic liquid propylene carbonate solutions, developing a framework through which these nanostructures can be understood. The section concludes that the increasing dilution of ionic liquids decreases the surface charge at which the characteristic ionic liquid oscillatory interfacial structure gives way to a different structure featuring monotonic charge decay. The behaviour of ionic liquids at interfaces is found to be correlated to ion size and type, as well as concentration. A wide divergence in the observed behaviour is shown at positive and negative electrodes due to the asymmetry of propylene carbonate. The second section, consisting of two chapters, explores the interfacial nanostructure of solvate ionic liquids using two different boundary conditions to model the electrode. This work is the first simulation of solvate ionic liquids at electrified interfaces. This section will explore the effect of electrode model on the behaviour of these ionic liquids at the electrode. Chapter 4 uses a fixed charge electrode, whereas Chapter 5 uses one with a fixed potential. The section concludes that regardless of electrode model, the idealised portrait of a solvate ionic liquid - one where the liquid behaves exactly as an aprotic ionic liquid - is not applicable. In Chapter 4's exploration of fixed charged electrodes, the formation of 2 glyme to lithium complexes contradicts the idealised portrait of the liquid. A different change is observed in Chapter 5's exploration of fixed potential electrodes, with both lithium glyme and lithium anion clusters forming at the interface. The key difference between the two studies is that lithium does not coordinate to the electrode in the fixed charge simulations, while in the fixed potential case it does. At the end of Chapter 5 the results are compared against experimental data, with the efficacy of the two models discussed. The aim of both studies is to look at the nanostructure of ionic liquids, when the symmetry between co-ion and cation repulsion - and related effects - is broken by the presence of a non ionic constituent in the liquid.

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Chemistry / Jun Li / Electrical energy storage (EES) is crucial in todays’ society owing to the advances in electric cars, microelectronics, portable electronics and grid storage backup for renewable energy utilization. Lithium ion batteries (LIBs) have dominated the EES market owing to their wide use in portable electronics. Despite the success, low specific capacity and low power rates still need to be addressed to meet the increasing demands. Particularly, the low specific capacity of cathode materials is currently limiting the energy storage capability of LIBs. Vanadium pentoxide (V₂O₅) has been an emerging cathode material owing to its low cost, high electrode potential in lithium-extracted state (up to 4.0 V), and high specific capacities of 294 mAh g⁻¹ (for a 2 Li⁺/V₂O₅ insertion process) and 441 mAh g⁻¹ (for a 3 Li⁺/V₂O₅ insertion process). However, the low electrical conductivities and slow Li⁺ ion diffusion still limit the power rate of V₂O₅. To enhance the power-rate capability we construct two core-shell structures that can achieve stable 2 and 3 Li⁺ insertion at high rates. In the first approach, uniform coaxial V₂O₅ shells are coated onto electrospun carbon nanofiber (CNF) cores via pulsed electrodeposition. The materials analyses confirm that the V₂O₅ shell after 4 hours of thermal annealing at 300 °C is a partially hydrated amorphous structure. SEM and TEM images indicate that the uniform 30 to 50 nm thick V₂O₅ shell forms an intimate interface with the CNF core. Lithium insertion capacities up to 291 and 429 mAh g⁻¹ are achieved in the voltage ranges of 4.0 – 2.0 V and 4.0 – 1.5 V, respectively, which are in good agreement with the theoretical values for 2 and 3 Li⁺/V₂O₅ insertion. Moreover, after 100 cycles, remarkable retention rates of 97% and 70% are obtained for 2 and 3 Li⁺/V₂O₅ insertion, respectively. In the second approach, we implement a three-dimensional (3D) core-shell structure consisting of coaxial V₂O₅ shells sputter-coated on vertically aligned carbon nanofiber (VACNF) cores. The hydrated amorphous microporous structure in the “as-deposited” V₂O₅ shells and the particulated nano-crystalline V₂O₅ structure formed by thermal annealing are compared. The former provides remarkably high capacity of 360 and 547 mAh g⁻¹ in the voltage range of 4.0 – 2.0 V and 4.0 – 1.5 V, respectively, far exceeding the theoretical values for 2 and 3 Li⁺/V₂O₅ insertion, respectively. After 100 cycles of 3 Li⁺/V₂O₅ insertion/extraction at 0.20 A g⁻¹ (~ C/3), ~ 84% of the initial capacity is retained. After thermal annealing, the core-shell structure presents a capacity of 294 and 390 mAh g⁻¹, matching well with the theoretical values for 2 and 3 Li⁺/V₂O₅ insertion. The annealed sample shows further improved stability, with remarkable capacity retention of ~100% and ~88% for 2 and 3 Li⁺/V₂O₅ insertion/extraction. However, due to the high cost of Li. alternative approaches are currently being pursued for large scale production. Sodium ion batteries (SIB) have been at the forefront of this endeavor. Here we investigate the sodium insertion in the hydrate amorphous V₂O₅ using the VACNF core-shell structure. Electrochemical characterization was carried out in the potential ranges of 3.5 – 1.0, 4.0 – 1.5, and 4.0 – 1.0 (vs Na/Na⁺). An insertion capacity of 196 mAh g-1 is achieved in the potential range of 3.5 – 1.0 V (vs Na/Na⁺) at a rate of 250 mA g⁻¹. When the potential window is shifted upwards to 4.0 – 1.5 V (vs Na/Na⁺) an insertion capacity of 145 mAh g⁻¹ is achieved. Moreover, a coulombic efficiency of ~98% is attained at a rate of 1500 mA g⁻¹. To enhance the energy density of the VACNF-V₂O₅ core-shell structures, the potential window is expanded to 4.0 – 1.0 V (vs Na/Na⁺) which achieved an initial insertion capacity of 277 mAh g⁻¹. The results demonstrate that amorphous V₂O₅ could serve as a cathode material in future SIBs.

Depuis les années 1990, l'électronique portable connait un véritable essor. De plus en pluscomplexes, ces appareils requièrent des besoins énergétiques croissants en termes de puissance,d'autonomie et de durée de vie. De nouveaux dispositifs de stockage pouvant être assemblés au plusproche du circuit micro-électronique et dans l'idéal directement sur la puce doivent donc être développés.Les micro-supercondensateurs représentent une solution prometteuse. Constitués principalementd’électrodes en carbone ou oxydes métalliques, leur fabrication sur les puces de micro-électroniques restedifficile. Cette intégration serait facilitée avec des électrodes à base de silicium. L’objectif de cette thèse estl'élaboration de micro-supercondensateurs constitués d’électrodes en silicium nanostructuré. Leursperformances peuvent être améliorées en travaillant à la fois sur les électrodes et sur l’électrolyte.L’électrode doit être stable en présence de l’électrolyte et avoir une grande surface développée.L’électrolyte doit permettre d’atteindre une tension élevée. Ce travail démontre que seules les électrodes ensilicium fortement dopées avec un traitement de surface adapté ont un comportement capacitif. La surfacedes électrodes est augmentée via la croissance de nanostructures par CVD catalysée par de l’or. L’étude del’influence des paramètres de croissance sur la morphologie des nanostructures a permis d’optimiser leprocédé pour obtenir des nano-arbres fortement dopés longs, denses, hyperbranchés et avec plusieursgénérations de branches ont pu être obtenus. L’utilisation du chlorure d’hydrogène permet de contrôlerprécisément le dopage des nanofils. Les paramètres clés des nanostructures pour obtenir de meilleurescapacités ont été identifiés : dopage, longueur, densité, branches. Les performances des microsupercondensateurs(Tension maximale, Energie, Puissance, Stabilité) avec des électrodes en siliciumnanostructurée ont été évaluées dans différents électrolytes. L’utilisation de liquide ionique (EMI-TFSI)permet d’augmenter la tension maximale et donc l’énergie et la puissance. Des pistes d’amélioration ont étéétudiées : traitement de surface, nouvelles architecture de dispositifs. La compatibilité des procédés utilisésavec ceux de micro-électronique a aussi été vérifiée. / Since 1990, portable electronics is a thriving field. Devices gather more and more functions and thusrequire more and more efficient energy sources in terms of power, autonomy and lifespan. Such sourcesshould be fixed as close as possible from the micro-electronic circuit, ideally directly on chip. Microsupercapacitorsare a promising solution. Due to the electrodes materials (carbon or metallic oxide), theirfabrication directly on chip is still difficult. It should be easier with silicon based electrodes. The aim of thiswork is the elaboration of micro-supercapacitors with nanostructured silicon based electrodes. Theirperformances can be improved by working on the electrode and the electrolyte. The electrode must bestable in the electrolyte and have a high developed surface. The electrolyte must lead to high voltage. Thiswork demonstrates that only highly doped silicon electrodes with an adapted surface treatment have acapacitive behavior. The electrode surface can be increased via nanostructures growth of by gold-catalyzedCVD. Thanks to the study of the influence of growth parameters on the nanostructures morphology, theprocess has been optimized to get highly doped, dense, long and hyperbranched nano-trees with severalbranches generations. Their doping level is precisely monitored thanks to the use of HCl. Doping, length,density and branches are the key parameters to improve the electrode capacity. Micro-supercapacitorsperformances (maximum voltage, energy, power, stability) with such electrodes have been evaluated inseveral electrolytes. Higher voltage, and thus higher energy and power can be reached in ionic liquids.Several improvement trails are investigated: surface treatment, new device design. Our processcompatibility with micro-electronics one has been checked.

nÃo hà / The electric vehicle is increasingly present in our cities every day, and in the technological context it has shown great progress. Two essential elements to the success of these vehicles are the electric energy storage devices and electronic converters for processing and management of this energy. In this context, this dissertation presents a study on the current situation of the electric vehicle on the world scenario and its embedded technologies. Another object of research are supercapacitors for application in electric vehicles as an energy storage source and fast energy transfer. Thus, these studies provide the basis for achieving the main objective of this work: developing a bidirectional dc-dc converter for managing the energy flow provided by a supercapacitor module applied in an electric vehicle. A 2 kW laboratory a prototype with two phase interleaved dc-dc bidirectional topology has been implemented. Also, all used methodology is exposed, such as qualitative analysis, dimensioning of components, modeling and design of PI type controllers for the proposed converter. The digital implementation of the control circuit was designed using the dsPIC30f4011 by Microchip. Through simulation and experimental tests, it was evaluated the behavior of the converter and a performance comparison was held, with the converter showing efficiency above 90%. Thus, through theoretical and practical results it was possible to evaluate the performance of the converter and future studies involving the complete structure of a model of a small electric vehicle. / O veÃculo elÃtrico està cada vez mais presente em nossas cidades, e no Ãmbito tecnolÃgico ele vem apresentando grandes avanÃos. Dois elementos essenciais para o sucesso desses veÃculos sÃo os dispositivos de armazenamento de energia elÃtrica e os conversores eletrÃnicos para processamento e gerenciamento dessa energia. Nesse contexto, esta dissertaÃÃo apresenta um estudo sobre a atual situaÃÃo do veÃculo elÃtrico no cenÃrio mundial e suas tecnologias embarcadas. Outro objeto de pesquisa sÃo os supercapacitores para aplicaÃÃo em veÃculos elÃtricos como fonte de armazenamento e transferÃncia rÃpida de energia. Neste contexto o presente trabalho aborda o desenvolvimento de um conversor cc-cc bidirecional para gerenciamento do fluxo de energia em um mÃdulo de supercapacitores para utilizaÃÃo em um veÃculo elÃtrico. à projetado e desenvolvido em laboratÃrio um protÃtipo com potÃncia de 2 kW, cuja topologia adotada à um conversor cc-cc bidirecional intercalado de duas fases. Deste modo, à exposta toda metodologia empregada onde à abordada a anÃlise qualitativa, o dimensionamento dos componentes, a modelagem e o projeto dos controladores tipo PI para o conversor proposto. Para a implementaÃÃo digital do circuito de controle foi utilizado o dsPIC30f4011 da Microchip. Por meio de simulaÃÃo e dos ensaios experimentais avaliou-se o comportamento do conversor e realizou-se uma comparaÃÃo de desempenho, tendo o conversor apresentado rendimento acima de 90%. Assim, pelos resultados teÃricos e prÃticos foi possÃvel avaliar o desempenho do conversor e creditar a continuidade de sua aplicaÃÃo a trabalhos futuros envolvendo a estruturaÃÃo completa de um modelo de veÃculo elÃtrico de pequeno porte.

Les travaux de recherche sont consacrés au vieillissement des supercondensateurs (SC) à double couche électrique dans un réseau électrique embarqué soumis à des ondulations de courant de haute fréquence (par exemple celui d'un véhicule hybride). Les SC étudiés sont des composants commerciaux représentatifs de la technologie la plus utilisée (acetonitrile / charbon actif) dans les applications de transport. Les travaux présentent des résultats d'essais de vieillissement calendaires (c'est-à-dire à tension et à température constantes). Le suivi de l'état de santé des SC s'effectue à l'aide de l'évolution de leur impédance au cours des essais de vieillissement. Plusieurs modèles d'impédances classiques sont présentés (modèle CPE et modèle simple pore) ainsi qu'un modèle récent (modèle multipore). Les paramètres de chaque modèle d'impédance sont systématiquement liés à des grandeurs électrochimiques des SC représentatives de l'état de leurs électrodes. Grâce au modèle multipore, les pores des électrodes du SC peuvent être classés selon leur constante de temps électrique (liée sous certaines hypothèses au diamètre d'ouverture des pores). L'application du modèle multipore aux résultats du vieillissement calendaire permet de mettre en évidence un effet drastique du début de vieillissement sur les pores possédant un faible diamètre d'ouverture. Les ondulations de courant haute fréquence semblent quant à elles transparentes en ce qui concerne le vieillissement c'est-à-dire qu'elles influencent très peu le vieillissement des SC. On note enfin un effet non négligeable des arrêts de vieillissement sur l'état de santé des SC / Those research works are about double layer supercapacitors ageing placed in an onboard power network subject to high frequency current ripple (in a hybrid vehicle for instance). Studied SC are commercial components, representative of the most used technology (i.e. Acetonitrile / Active carbon) in transports domain. SC floating ageing results (constant temperature and constant voltage) are presented. SC health monitoring is achieved by using SC impedance evolution through ageing test. Classic impedance models (CPE and single pore model) are presented as well as a newer model (called multipore model). Model parameters are systematically linked to electrochemical data related to SC state of health. Multipore model enable to classify pores thanks to their electrical time constant (related to pore diameter under some hypothesis). The evolution of multipore model parameters under floating constraints shows that the smaller pores are more affected by beginning of ageing test. HF current ripple seem not to affect supercapacitors floating ageing. Whereas we notice effect of ageing stopping periods on SC state of health

Les supercondensateurs ou Condensateurs à Double-Couche Electrochimique sont des systèmes novateurs et prometteurs pour le stockage de l'énergie. La modélisation par la simulation numérique est l'outil principalement utilisé dans cette thèse pour étudier les supercondensateurs. La modélisation est complémentaire aux expériences, et les deux méthodologies sont autant que possible mises en regard. Dans un premier temps, une méthode permettant de calculer la capacité des électrodes poreuses modélisées à l'équilibre a été mise au point, afin de mesurer les performances des systèmes étudiés. Puis, des cycles de charge et de décharge, processus dynamiques correspondant à des situations hors-équilibre, ont été réalisés, sur des systèmes modèles variés : différentes structures d'électrodes nanoporeuses de carbone, en contact avec des électrolytes purs ou avec solvant, soumis à des différences de potentiel plus ou moins élevées. À partir des données obtenues, le mécanisme de charge des supercondensateurs a été identifié et décomposé en plusieurs étapes. L'influence de la structure du matériau, du solvant et de la valeur du potentiel a été analysée. Enfin, des simulations à l'équilibre ont permis d'étudier le transport des espèces de l'électrolyte dans les milieux poreux particuliers que sont les électrodes de carbone. Ce travail propose par conséquent une étude complète et cohérente des processus dynamiques dans les supercondensateurs / Supercapacitors or Electrical Double Layer Capacitors (EDLC) are an innovative and promising technology in the field of energy storage. Modeling via computer simulation is the main technique used in this work to study supercapacitors. This methodology is complementary to experiments, and comparisons are made. Firstly, a methodology allowing the calculation of capacitance for the modeled systems with porous electrodes has been developed. This enabled performance to be measured for these complex systems. Secondly, cycles of charging and discharging (out-of-equilibrium processes) have been realised on various model systems composed of different structures of carbon electrodes, in contact with either pure electrolytes or solvated ionic liquids, submitted to raised or lowered potential differences. From the data obtained, the charging mechanism of supercapacitors has been elucidated and decomposed in different steps. Furthermore, the influence of the structure of the material, the solvation, and the value of the potential has been analysed. Finally, equilibrium simulations were performed. This enabled the study of electrolyte species transport inside the porous carbon electrodes media. This work consequently provides a complete and consistent study of the dynamic processes in supercapacitors.

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / Supercapacitors are charge-storage devices. Compared to batteries, they have higher power density, more excellent reversibility and longer cycle life. Therefore, supercapacitors have played an increasingly important role in the fields of power source especially in automotive applications, such as electric and hybrid electric vehicles. The higher power density of supercapacitors offers improved vehicle acceleration and the ability to recover more energy from regenerative breaking, since they can be charged and discharged at high current. Generally, the key for supercapacitors to achieve high specific power depends on the inherent properties and the surface areas of their electrode materials. Therefore, current research in the field of supercapacitors has been carried out with increased emphasis on the development of new electrode materials. Optimal novel synthesis of electrode materials for supercapacitor application in hybrid vehicles was accomplished with polypyrrole nanowires, manganese oxide and its carbon composites, ruthenium oxide and its carbon composites being the products. A set of structural and chemical parameters influencing the performance of synthesized electrode materials were identified. Parameters included crystallinity, particle size, particle size distribution, surface area, electrochemical activity. A large range of analytical tools were employed in characterizing the electrode materials of interest. High accuracy and precision in the quantitative and qualitative structural characterization of electrode materials collected by x-ray diffractometry, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy was demonstrated. N₂-physisorption produced surface area and pore size distribution data of high quality. Cyclic voltammetry, charge and discharge cycling, electron impedance spectroscopy were employed in the electrochemical characterization of the synthesized electrode materials and both qualitative and quantitative information obtained. The techniques were able to discriminate between various synthesized electrode materials and identify the highly electroactive materials. Preparation variables could be critically evaluated for the synthesis of electrode materials. The techniques were deemed to be applicable in discriminating high and low activity electrode materials based on their structural and chemical properties.