Activated Carbon Material

Overview

Activated carbon (AC) is a porous, conductive carbon material widely used as an anode (or EDLC electrode) in supercapacitors and hybrid supercapacitor–battery (SCB) systems. Its energy storage mechanism is dominated by electric double-layer capacitance (EDLC), where electrolyte ions reversibly adsorb at the internal surface of a high-surface-area pore network. This enables fast charge–discharge, low polarisation, and strong cycling stability—particularly valuable for power-focused energy storage research.

Available Grades and Key Specifications

Organic electrolyte grade

• Surface area: 2000–2500 m²/g; D50: ~10 µm
• Ash: 0.21% (spec <0.5%); moisture: <3%
• Iron salt: <0.003%; bulk density: >0.4 g/mL
• Reference capacitance (organic): ~160 F/g

Aqueous electrolyte grade

• BET: 2000–2500 m²/g; D50: ~10 µm
• Ash: <0.5%; moisture: <10%; bulk specific weight: >0.4 g/mL
• Reference capacitance (water): ~260–300 F/g
  
  

High-conductivity grade

• BET: 1600–1700 m²/g; fine pore volume: 0.6–0.8 mL/g
• Fe impurity: <50 ppm; conductivity: 0.30–0.40 S/mm
• D50: 5–8 µm; capacitance: >140 F/g
  
  

Typical Applications

• EDLC electrodes and hybrid SCB anodes (organic/aqueous systems)
• High-power storage studies (rate capability, impedance, ageing)
• Electrode formulation optimisation (slurry casting, conductive networks)
  
  

Why Source via ScienceGears

ScienceGears supports Australian & NZ researchers with material selection guidance (organic vs aqueous compatibility), integration advice, and workflow alignment with related platforms such as battery cyclers, potentiostats/EIS, and in-situ spectroscopy/electrochemical cell hardware for deeper mechanistic studies.