Interface-engineered Nanomaterials for Supercapacitors

Electrochemical supercapacitors are promising devices for storing electrical energy. Their charge-storage mechanism works on either surface charge adsorption (electric double-layer capacitance) or fast surface redox reactions (pseudocapacitance). The inherent charge-storage mechanisms of supercapacitors provide them with an edge over batteries in terms of power density for energy-intensive processes. The prospect of these devices in hybrid EVs shows their key role in sustainable and clean energy. However, the sluggish ion kinetics and poor electrical conductivity of present supercapacitor materials are major challenges that impede a wide range of applications. Various strategies have been explored for the enhancement of supercapacitors' performance. Surface engineering of the interface of nanomaterials has emerged as a promising technique in the present domain. The charge storage of a supercapacitor is highly dependent on the electrode/electrolyte interface. Tuning the electrode interface could affect the kinetics and charge-storage mechanism. Engineering the interface of a nanomaterial-based electrode can result in significant synergistic effects that can help to attain superior electrochemical performance. This chapter introduces interface-engineered nanomaterials for supercapacitors and the various methodologies to achieve nanomaterials with the desired modified interfaces for multiple applications.