BACKGROUND:  Some charge storage devices such as supercapacitors and batteries require high surface area materials that form a double layer with an electrolyte. These materials, which serve as the electrode, can be carbonaceous materials such as carbon black or carbon nanotubes, but must also be interfaced with metal charge collectors, resulting in a multi-layer structure. Such a structure often has problematic interfaces between the carbon and metals and due to the metal charge collectors, such supercapacitors and batteries cannot be fabricated in a simple room-temperature process. There is a need for a charge storage device that is cheap, has appropriate performance and can be disposed without creating environmental hazards.

INNOVATION:  The invention describes a device that uses carbon nanotubes as both the electrode and the charge collector. Carbon nanotubes films are characterized by not only low resistance, but also a high surface area of the film to come in intimate contact with either organic or aqueous electrolyte solutions.

POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS:  Charge storage applications, particularly devices that require a high charge to weight ratio.

ADVANTAGES

• High charge to weight ratio
• Non-metal capacitor for reduced costs and ease of fabrication
• Low resistance and high surface area of the carbon nanotubes film
• Better electrical properties over devices made with carbon black

Reference: UCLA Case No. 2007-520