Preparation and characterization of ACs/TiO ₂ composite electrodes for improving the specific capacitance of electrochemical double-layer capacitors

In this work, the energy storage composite electrodes were prepared by mixing activated carbons (ACs) modified with a nanosize titanium oxide (TiO ₂) through a means of ultrasonic vibration in ethanol solution for 30 min. We examined the cyclic voltammetry of the composite electrodes in an aqueous electrolyte, 1 M H ₂SO ₄. It was found that the specific capacitance of the composite electrodes measured in a range of 0-0.8 V was increased from 100 to 155 F/g compared to carbon electrodes comprised of activated carbon only. This was attributed to a reduction of polarization of the ACs modified by nanosized TiO ₂.