Realization of Cost-Effective Supercapacitors Utilizing Substitutable Materials

In today’s context, the growing concern revolves around developing reliable power systems that are both cost-effective and environmentally friendly. Research efforts increasingly focus on the development of supercapacitors, a component with numerous benefits in terms of lifespan, stored electrical energy capacity, and rapid charging compared to other means of storing electrical energy. Supercapacitors store more energy than regular capacitors, creating a very thin double layer of charge between two electrodes, which are made of porous materials, typically based on carbon. The electrodes effectively have a larger surface area and a smaller separation distance, which gives a supercapacitor the ability to store much more charge. In a supercapacitor, there is no dielectric. Instead, both electrodes are soaked in an electrolyte and separated by a very thin insulator. When the electrodes are powered, an opposite charge forms on both sides of the separator, creating a double electric layer. This is why supercapacitors are often referred to as double-layer capacitors (electric double-layer capacitors) or EDLCs.This paper introduces the development of low-cost supercapacitors, explores their electrical parameters, and tests the components as power sources for common applications. The main objective is to develop cost-effective supercapacitors using materials readily available in the market, repurposed from other fields. For instance, activated charcoal used in cosmetics serves as a more economical alternative compared to charcoal utilized in electrode development procured from a specialized website. The binder consists of a liquid adhesive commonly used in school activities. The paper also provides a comparison of electrical parameters, focusing on the separator employed for each component. This research aims to contribute to the advancement of energy storage systems with sustainable, cost-effective solutions for diverse applications.