Effect of Triton X-100 surfactant concentration on the wettability of polyethylene-based separators used in supercapacitors

Polyethylene-based separators are generally unsuitable for aqueous supercapacitors due to their poor wettability with the electrolyte, which impedes ion transport. However, incorporating Triton X-100 (2-[4-(2,4,4-trimethylpentan-2-yl)phenoxy]ethanol) into the aqueous sulfuric acid (H2SO4) electrolyt...

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Main Authors: S.M.B. Dissanayake, I.G.K.J. Wimalasena, N.M. Keppetipola, B.C. Karunarathne, A.D.T. Medagedara, Ludmila Cojocaru, Satoshi Uchida, R.M.G. Rajapakse, Kirthi Tennakone, Masamichi Yoshimura, G.R.A. Kumara
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2024-12-01
Series:Journal of Science: Advanced Materials and Devices
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468217924001321
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author S.M.B. Dissanayake
I.G.K.J. Wimalasena
N.M. Keppetipola
B.C. Karunarathne
A.D.T. Medagedara
Ludmila Cojocaru
Satoshi Uchida
R.M.G. Rajapakse
Kirthi Tennakone
Masamichi Yoshimura
G.R.A. Kumara
author_facet S.M.B. Dissanayake
I.G.K.J. Wimalasena
N.M. Keppetipola
B.C. Karunarathne
A.D.T. Medagedara
Ludmila Cojocaru
Satoshi Uchida
R.M.G. Rajapakse
Kirthi Tennakone
Masamichi Yoshimura
G.R.A. Kumara
author_sort S.M.B. Dissanayake
collection DOAJ
description Polyethylene-based separators are generally unsuitable for aqueous supercapacitors due to their poor wettability with the electrolyte, which impedes ion transport. However, incorporating Triton X-100 (2-[4-(2,4,4-trimethylpentan-2-yl)phenoxy]ethanol) into the aqueous sulfuric acid (H2SO4) electrolyte improves the wettability of polyethylene and facilitates ionic movement through its pores. In this study, Triton X-100 was added to 1.0 M H2SO4 at various concentrations (0.122%–1.210% V/V) to evaluate its impact on supercapacitor performance. Supercapacitors were assembled using activated carbon-filled carbon cloth electrodes, each of the above electrolytes and polyethylene sheet separators. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the carbon cloth exhibited a uniform fiber distribution and high surface area for activated carbon integration. The polyethylene separator displayed a porous structure with an average pore size of 165 ± 35 nm. Triton X-100 significantly reduced the water contact angle from 101.5° (without surfactant) to 30.2° (with 1.21% V/V Triton X-100), enhancing polyethylene’s wettability. This change from hydrophobic to hydrophilic characteristics enabled the formation of an electrical double layer at the separator/electrolyte interface, improving ionic transport. However, higher Triton X-100 concentrations increased the electrolyte's viscosity, which impeded ion movement. The highest specific capacitance of 55.3 F/g (at a scan rate of 0.005 V s−1) was achieved with 0.488% V/V Triton X-100. The specific capacitance varied with surfactant concentration in a complex manner, influenced by micelle formation and precipitation. These findings were corroborated by cyclic voltammetry and AC impedance spectroscopy.
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spelling doaj-art-0eb2268077d2456f9317862475aa9b5a2024-12-13T11:00:32ZengElsevierJournal of Science: Advanced Materials and Devices2468-21792024-12-0194100801Effect of Triton X-100 surfactant concentration on the wettability of polyethylene-based separators used in supercapacitorsS.M.B. Dissanayake0I.G.K.J. Wimalasena1N.M. Keppetipola2B.C. Karunarathne3A.D.T. Medagedara4Ludmila Cojocaru5Satoshi Uchida6R.M.G. Rajapakse7Kirthi Tennakone8Masamichi Yoshimura9G.R.A. Kumara10National Institute of Fundamental Studies, Hantana Road, Kandy, Sri Lanka; Postgraduate Institute of Science, University of Peradeniya, Sri LankaNational Institute of Fundamental Studies, Hantana Road, Kandy, Sri Lanka; Postgraduate Institute of Science, University of Peradeniya, Sri LankaUniversité de Bordeaux, Institut des Sciences Moléculaires, UMR 5255 CNRS, 351 Cours de la Libération, F-33405, Talence Cedex, FranceNational Institute of Fundamental Studies, Hantana Road, Kandy, Sri Lanka; Postgraduate Institute of Science, University of Peradeniya, Sri LankaNational Institute of Fundamental Studies, Hantana Road, Kandy, Sri Lanka; Postgraduate Institute of Science, University of Peradeniya, Sri LankaUniversité de Bordeaux, Institut des Sciences Moléculaires, UMR 5255 CNRS, 351 Cours de la Libération, F-33405, Talence Cedex, FranceThe University of Tokyo, Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology (RCAST), 4-6-1, Komaba, Meguro, Tokyo, 153-8904, JapanDepartment of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Peradeniya Sri Lanka, Sri LankaNational Institute of Fundamental Studies, Hantana Road, Kandy, Sri LankaGraduate School of Engineering, Toyota Technological Institute, 2-12-1 Hisakata, Tempaku, Nagoya, 468-8511, JapanNational Institute of Fundamental Studies, Hantana Road, Kandy, Sri Lanka; Corresponding author.Polyethylene-based separators are generally unsuitable for aqueous supercapacitors due to their poor wettability with the electrolyte, which impedes ion transport. However, incorporating Triton X-100 (2-[4-(2,4,4-trimethylpentan-2-yl)phenoxy]ethanol) into the aqueous sulfuric acid (H2SO4) electrolyte improves the wettability of polyethylene and facilitates ionic movement through its pores. In this study, Triton X-100 was added to 1.0 M H2SO4 at various concentrations (0.122%–1.210% V/V) to evaluate its impact on supercapacitor performance. Supercapacitors were assembled using activated carbon-filled carbon cloth electrodes, each of the above electrolytes and polyethylene sheet separators. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the carbon cloth exhibited a uniform fiber distribution and high surface area for activated carbon integration. The polyethylene separator displayed a porous structure with an average pore size of 165 ± 35 nm. Triton X-100 significantly reduced the water contact angle from 101.5° (without surfactant) to 30.2° (with 1.21% V/V Triton X-100), enhancing polyethylene’s wettability. This change from hydrophobic to hydrophilic characteristics enabled the formation of an electrical double layer at the separator/electrolyte interface, improving ionic transport. However, higher Triton X-100 concentrations increased the electrolyte's viscosity, which impeded ion movement. The highest specific capacitance of 55.3 F/g (at a scan rate of 0.005 V s−1) was achieved with 0.488% V/V Triton X-100. The specific capacitance varied with surfactant concentration in a complex manner, influenced by micelle formation and precipitation. These findings were corroborated by cyclic voltammetry and AC impedance spectroscopy.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468217924001321SupercapacitorPolyethylene separatorAqueous electrolyteTriton X-100
spellingShingle S.M.B. Dissanayake
I.G.K.J. Wimalasena
N.M. Keppetipola
B.C. Karunarathne
A.D.T. Medagedara
Ludmila Cojocaru
Satoshi Uchida
R.M.G. Rajapakse
Kirthi Tennakone
Masamichi Yoshimura
G.R.A. Kumara
Effect of Triton X-100 surfactant concentration on the wettability of polyethylene-based separators used in supercapacitors
Journal of Science: Advanced Materials and Devices
Supercapacitor
Polyethylene separator
Aqueous electrolyte
Triton X-100
title Effect of Triton X-100 surfactant concentration on the wettability of polyethylene-based separators used in supercapacitors
title_full Effect of Triton X-100 surfactant concentration on the wettability of polyethylene-based separators used in supercapacitors
title_fullStr Effect of Triton X-100 surfactant concentration on the wettability of polyethylene-based separators used in supercapacitors
title_full_unstemmed Effect of Triton X-100 surfactant concentration on the wettability of polyethylene-based separators used in supercapacitors
title_short Effect of Triton X-100 surfactant concentration on the wettability of polyethylene-based separators used in supercapacitors
title_sort effect of triton x 100 surfactant concentration on the wettability of polyethylene based separators used in supercapacitors
topic Supercapacitor
Polyethylene separator
Aqueous electrolyte
Triton X-100
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468217924001321
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