Enhanced supercapacitor performance using] Caff-TEA[+]ZnBr3[− ionic liquid electrode in aqueous Na2SO4 electrolyte

The rapid use and depletion of fossil fuels have resulted in an ecosystem characterized by pollution and dwindling energy resources. Therefore, it is essential to accelerate the development of alternative energy generation methods and energy storage devices. Among these, supercapacitors (SCs) have emerged as a leading option due to their exceptional performance. The electrochemical performance of SCs can be enhanced by using various electrode materials. Examples include metal oxides, activated carbon, and conducting polymer. In this research, a new ionic liquid (IL) material was synthesized using caffeine (Caff), triethanolamine (TEA), and ZnBr2 ([Caff-TEA]+ [ZnBr3]−) as an electrode for improved SC applications. Physical characterizations confirmed the successful fabrication of this IL utilizing 1HNMR, FT-IR, XRD, and EDX analysis. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), charge/discharge (GCD), and cyclic voltammetry (CV) were used to investigate the supercapacitive characteristics of the electrode material. The IL electrode was tested in 1 M Na2SO4 electrolyte media via three electrode configurations, and it demonstrated a high specific capacitance (430.8 F/g at 1 A/g). Moreover, energy density and power density were achieved at 14.95 Wh/kg and 249.86 W/kg, respectively. The material has also displayed excellent cyclic stability, retaining about 99.8 % of its potential after 10,000 cycles. The results mentioned above suggest that the synthesized electrode holds significant promise for use in SC applications. © 2024 Elsevier Ltd