Supercapacitor Supported by Nickel, Cobalt and Conducting Polymer Based Materials: Design Techniques and Current Advancement

Abstract

The recent advanced electronic appliances demand special high power devices with lightweight, flexible, inexpensive, and environment friendly in nature. In addition, for many industrial and automotive applications, we need energy storage systems that can store energy in a short time and deliver an intense pulse of energy for long duration. Till date the Li-ion battery is the only choice for fulfilling all our energy storage demands. However, the high cost, limited availability and non-environmental nature of electrodes and electrolyte material of Li-ion battery limits its applicability. Hence, the world demands an alternative replacement for the Li-ion battery. In this regard, the supercapacitor is one of the most emerging and potential energy storage devices. The electrode plays an important role in supercapacitors. The nickel and cobalt based oxide, hydroxides, and their composites with conducting polymer are promising and highly appreciated electrode materials for supercapacitors. This chapter covers the recent advances in supercapacitors supported by nickel, cobalt and conducting polymer based materials and their applications predominantly described in the recent literature. Recent advances are reviewed including new methods of synthesis, nanostructuring, and self-assembly using surfactant and modifiers. This chapter also covered the applications of supercapacitors in powering the light weight, flexible and wearable electronics.