New design of electric double layer capacitors with aqueous LiOH electrolyte as alternative to capacitor with KOH solution

Activated carbon (AC) fiber cloths and a hydrophobic microporous polypropylene (PP) membrane, both modified with lithiated acetone oligomers, were used as electrodes and a separator in electric double layer capacitors (EDLCs) with aqueous lithium hydroxide (LiOH) as the electrolyte. Electrochemical characteristics of EDLCs were investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge–discharge cycle tests and impedance spectroscopy (EIS), compared with a case of the capacitor with aqueous potassium hydroxide (KOH) as an electrolyte. As a result, the capacitor with LiOH aqueous solution and a modified separator and electrodes was found to exhibit higher specific capacitance, maximum energy stored and maximum power than that with KOH aqueous solution.