On the hierarchy of the influences of porous and electronic structures of carbonaceous materials on parameters of molecular storage devices

The relation between porous structure, electronic properties of carbonaceous material and the capacitance of its interface with an electrolyte is discussed. It is shown that, in an electric double-layer, the contribution of pseudocapacitive charge accumulation is determined, mainly, by the position of Fermi level in the carbonaceous material and depends on thermodynamic parameters of ions in the electolytic solution. The sizes of the pores in which the processes of capacitive and pseudocapacitive charge accumulation dominate are determined. Theoretical analysis of the processes taking place on the nanoporous carbon|electrolyte interface has made it possible to recognize the intercalative nature of pseudocapacity and to find the criterion of its manifestation in the form of the formation of a continuous series of stable valency phases. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.