Future Directions for Electrochemical Capacitors

Recently, extensive research efforts on electrochemical energy storage materials have been developed, motivated by the urgent need for efficient energy storage devices for the automotive market. Electrochemical capacitors (ECs) bridge the gap between batteries and solid-state and electrolytic capacitors. While the high power density of these devices is attractive, greater energy density is required for the future. To address this need, both experimental approaches that modify the electrolyte–electrode interface and the use of analytical methods to characterize these interfaces are being actively pursued. The development of advanced in situ analytical techniques to understand fundamental electrochemical processes and structural effects (pores, surface groups) down to the nanoscale level is expected to play a key role in developing the next generation of ECs with high energy and high power performance.