Applied Surface Science 449 (2018) 445–453

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Applied Surface Science

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Full length article

Influence of designed electrode surfaces on double layer capacitance

in aqueous electrolyte: Insights from standard models
Md. Shihab Uddin a , Himadri Tanaya Das a , Thandavarayan Maiyalagan b ,
Perumal Elumalai a,∗
a
Electrochemical Energy and Sensors Lab, Department of Green Energy Technology, Madanjeet School of Green Energy Technologies, Pondicherry
University, Puducherry 605014, India
b
SRM Research Institute & Department of Chemistry, SRM University, Kattankulathur, Chennai 603203, India

a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t

Article history: Standard models, Helmholtz, Gouy-Chapman, Stern and Grahame models have been validated on the
Received 26 October 2017 electrical double layers (EDLs) formed from three different electrode surfaces, i.e., plain, semi-sphere
Received in revised form and cylindrical pore in aqueous electrolyte. The double layer potential (␾) and areal capacitance (Cdl )
24 November 2017
were estimated in the three models using MATLAB Simulink. It was found that the areal capacitance
Accepted 11 December 2017
Available online 13 December 2017
of the double layer strongly influenced by the nature/ type of the electrode surface in contact with the
electrolyte. The cylindrical-type pore surface exhibited the large areal capacitance. The charge-discharge
and impedance characteristics of the EDLs were also analyzed.
Keywords:
Supercapacitor © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Electrical double layer
Helmholtz
Gouy-Chapman
Stern
Grahame models
Electrochemical Impedance

1. Introduction ized. Electrical double layer capacitor (EDLC) is based on mere

Batteries and supercapacitors are typical electrochemical
energy storage devices. Among them, the batteries have the capa-
bility to deliver energy over a long time at a relatively lower rate
of current (low power). The batteries fail to deliver high power
because, at high power discharge, the lifetime of the battery reduces
drastically due to degradation of electrode material and diffusion
limitation of ions involved in the electrochemical reactions. Thus,
current trends in the electrochemical energy storage technology
focus on the development of storage device that can deliver high
power as well as high energy. In this regard, supercapacitors seem
attractive storage device that can deliver high power for the large
cycle of as high as 105 cycles. In fact, the supercapacitors can bridge
the power gap between the batteries and conventional capacitors,
especially for hybrid electric vehicles and electrical tools. Unfortu-
nately, the supercapacitors have severe issues such as low energy
density, high cost and high self-discharge. By addressing these
issues, the market demand for the supercapacitors can be real-
∗ Corresponding Author.
E-mail addresses: drperumalelumalai@gmail.com,
elumalai.get@pondiuni.edu.in (P. Elumalai).
charge separation at electrode/electrolyte interface. The electrodes
for the EDLCs are typically made of high surface area carbon-based
materials because of their porous nature. Aqueous electrolytes are
generally employed as an electrolyte in EDLC, where water dipole
acts as a dielectric material to provide high relative permittiv-
ity. The presence of water dipole in the electrolyte significantly
reduces the distance between the two electrodes, to the order of
angstrom (Å). Because of aforesaid aspects, the EDLC having high
capacity is different from the conventional parallel plate capaci-
tor whose capacity is directly proportional to relative permittivity
(␧) and surface area (A), but inversely proportional to the distance
between the two electrodes [1]. Modeling and simulations provide
insights about designing novel materials for developing efficient
device by reducing manufacturing cost as well as technical losses.
Recently, Bang et al., has studied optical pore development of car-
bon models [2]. Similarly, Lu et al., has reported the porous carbon
as high ion transport channel for electrode materials in superca-
pacitor [3]. Thus, to develop highly performing EDLC electrode for
energy storage device, a proper understanding of electrical double
layer (EDL) formed by different electrode surface in an electrolyte
is indispensable.
Wang et al., presented scaling law for the estimation of the
integral capacitance of EDLC supported by rigorous analysis and

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsusc.2017.12.088
0169-4332/© 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
446 Md.S. Uddin et al. / Applied Surface Science 449 (2018) 445–453
Fig. 1. Schematics of cross section of (a) Planar Surface, (b) Cylindrical pore surface,
(c) Semi-sphere pore surface and (d) Front view of pore surfaces.
experimental data on porous carbon-based electrodes [4]. Gav-
ish et al., examined the influence of relative permittivity on the
EDLC properties by changing electrolyte concentration [5]. It was
reported that higher concentration having less number of dipoles
in the solution resulted in low capacitance, whereas lower concen-
tration reduced the capacitance because ions extend to a longer
distance from electrode surface due to thermal motion [6–9].
Ohshima et al., described a simple algorithm for the potential
distribution in EDLC cylindrical pore surface [10]. He considered
Poisson-Boltzman equation to describe potential distribution in a
charged cylindrical pore filled with an aqueous electrolyte solu-
tion. Martin et al., estimated capacitance of EDLC based on carbon
nanotube (CNT) using classical theory [11]. The curvature effect
on Gouy-Chapman limit has been established. Shuai Bana et al.,
worked on the electrochemical equivalent circuit (Randle circuit)
to analyze the charging-discharging properties of the EDLC [12].
To the best of our knowledge, the influence of different types
of electrode surfaces on the capacitance of EDLC has not been well
examined. Thus, in this work, we re-visited the EDLC characteris-
tics of electrode surfaces having different types/ shapes of pores
(plain, semi-sphere and cylindrical) as shown in Fig. 1 by applying
Helmholtz, Gouy-Chapman, Stern and Grahame models in aqueous
electrolyte. Alongside, we have also studied electrochemical charg-
ing/discharging and impedance features of the aforesaid model
surfaces in aqueous electrolyte.
2. Various models for electrical double layer
A metal in contact with an aqueous solution generates solvated
charged ions on its surface, where positive and negative ions are
equally distributed throughout the surface. The free electrons will
move away from or towards the interface depending on the direc-
tion of the electric (E) field. Thus, a net charge is induced on the
metal, which will be equal in magnitude and opposite in sign to that
on the solution side of the phase boundary. Therefore, charge sepa-
ration occurs in the electrode surface/ solution interface known as
an interfacial potential difference (␾). The properties of such elec-
trified interface have been explained by Helmholtz (compact layer),
Gouy-Chapman (diffuse layer), Stern and Grahame models.
As per Helmholtz model, two compact layers of charges are
formed at the electrode/ electrolyte interface as a result of elec-
trostatic interaction between the electrode surfaces and counter
ions of the solution [13,14]. A uniform dipole distribution is present
at the interface where potential varies linearly from the electrode
surface to the bulk solution as schematically shown in Fig. 2(a).
However, Helmholtz model did not account for the influence of
thermal motion and ion absorption on the resultant double layer
capacitance (Cdl ). Gouy-Chapman described the EDL by considering
the thermal motion of ions near the charged surface and is driven
by diffusion and electrostatic forces, in particular at low concentra-
tion of electrolyte [15,16]. However, this model did not account for
the influence of ion absorption on the electrode/ electrolyte inter-
face. According to the Gouy-Chapman model, the double layer is
not rigid at the electrode/ electrolyte interface; rather there is ion
concentration gradient from electrode surface to the bulk solution
due to thermal motion of ions as schematically shown as in Fig. 2(b).
The Stern model recommends a combination of the concepts
of the Helmholtz and Gouy-Chapman models [17]. According to
the Stern model, the electrical potential varies linearly with the
distance from electrode surface up to Gouy-Chapman layer (rigid
layer) and after that decreases exponentially (i.e., diffused layer)
as schematically shown in Fig. 2(c). So, as per the Stern model, the
capacitance is regarded as two series connected capacitors as given
in (Eq. 1):
1 1 1
= + (1)
C dl CH C GC
where, Cdl , CH , and CGC are double layer, Helmholtz and Gouy-
Chapman capacitances, respectively [14].
The currently accepted Grahame model represents the real sit-
uation of an EDL. Grahame introduced concepts of inner Helmholtz
plane (IHP) where ion absorption occurs on the electrode surface
and outer Helmholtz plane (OHP). As shown in the Fig. 2(d), the
anions are tightly attached to the electrode surface and partially
desolated. This fact causes a reversal of electrostatic potential in
the region between the IHP and OHP. The capacitance as per the
Grahame model is shown below [14]:
1 1 1 1 dqa
= +( + )(1 − ) (2)
Cdl CIHP COHP CGC dqM
where qa and qM are absorption charge and metal surface charge,
respectively.
3. Analysis
In this work, we have modeled EDLC for three different elec-
trode surfaces namely plain layer, semi-sphere and cylindrical in
the aqueous electrolyte. The schematic of three different surfaces
and the cross-section of the semi-sphere/ cylindrical surface are
shown in Fig. 1. The areal capacitances of the EDL resulted on
the three electrode surfaces were estimated based on Helmholtz,
Gouy-Chapman, Stern and Grahame models. We have assumed the
surface potential of 0.5 V and uniform dipole distribution. To calcu-
late the potential change, in the parallel plane layer, linear Gauss
law equation has been applied and similarly in the bulk solution,
Poisson-Boltzmann equation has been applied. In addition, charg-
ing/ discharging and impedance characteristics of the EDLC have
been also examined.
3.1. Helmholtz capacitance of model surfaces
According to Helmholtz, the electric double layer is the align-
ment of charge on the electrode and electrolyte interface similar to
parallel plate capacitor. Gauss law states that the surface integral of
 Md.S. Uddin et al. / Applied Surface Science 449 (2018) 445–453 447

Fig. 2. Schematics of (a) Helmholtz, (b) Gouy-Chapman, (c) Stern and (d) Grahame model for the EDL.

the electric field in any closed surface is equal to the enclosed charge where ␳ is ionic charge density and ␸(x) is the electric potential
with the multiplication of inverse permittivity as shown below: at distance x [19]. The Boltzmann distribution gives the position of
 a particle in a system over the various possible states. In the bulk
Qenclose
E · dA = = Q · ␧0 −1 solution, the Boltzmann equation for ions can be written as Eq. (7):
␧0 zi qϕ(x) zi qϕ(x)
ni = n∞
i
e(− kB T
)
= C∞ NA e(− kB T
)
(∵ n∞
i
= C ∞ NA ) (7)
where E is the electric field, Qenclose is total enclose charge and
␧0 is free space permittivity, respectively [18]. So, the potential where zi , q, T, kB , C∞ and NA are the valence of ionic species i, unit
difference (␾) between the two rigid layers at distance x is charge (q = 1.6 × 10−19 C), temperature (T = 20 ◦ C) and Boltzmann
constant (kB = 1.63 × 10-23 m2 kg K-1 s-2 ), molar concentration of
Q
ϕ (x) = ϕ0 − xH (4) solution and Avogadro number, respectively [18]. So, the resultant
Aεr ε0 Poisson – Boltzmann equation is,
where ␸0 is the electric potential at xH = 0, A is area, xH is the  z i qn∞

d 2 ϕ(x) z qϕ(x)
− i
thickness of Helmholtz layer and ␧r is the relative permittivity of =− i
e kB T (8)
dx 2 ε0 εr
the electrolyte. The first derivative of the potential with respect i
∂ϕ
to charge ( ) will give inverse capacitance (1/CH ). Therefore, the
∂Q For binary solute of unit charge (z1 = z2 = z) and same con-
Helmholtz model capacitance per unit area for the EDLC formed
centration of positive and negative ions (C∞- = C∞+ = C∞ ), the
from three different electrode surfaces derived from Eq. (4) are:
Poisson-Boltzmann Eq. (8) can be rewritten as
⎧εε
⎪
⎪
r 0
for plain surface (5a) d 2 ϕ(x)
  zqϕ(x)
⎪
⎪ xH   =−
zqC ∞ N A −
zqϕ(x)
−e
⎪
⎨ εr ε0 dx2 ε0 εr
(e kB T kB T ) (9)
r2
CH = 1+ for semi-spherical pore surface (5b)
xH A Or
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪
zqϕ(x)

⎪
⎩ εr ε0 1 + 2Lr for cylindrical pore surface (5c) d 2 ϕ(x) 2zqC ∞ N A
xH A =− sinh (10)
dx2 ε0 εr kB T
where r is pore radius and L is the length of the cylindrical pore. Multiplying 2
dϕ(x)
on the both sides of Eq. (10) yields Eq. (11).
dx

3.2. Gouy-chapman capacitance of model surfaces dϕ(x) d 2 ϕ(x) 2qzC ∞ N A dϕ(x)

zqϕ

(x)
2 =− 2 sinh (11)
dx dx2 ε0 εr dx kB T
The electric potential due to charge distribution in any medium
is given by the Poisson equation shown below: The Eq. (11) can be rearranged as
dϕ(x) 2
d 2 ϕ(x)  d( dx
) 2qzC ∞ N A zqϕ(x)
=− (6) dx = − sinh( )dϕ(x) (12)
dx2 ε0 εr dx ε0 εr kB T
448 Md.S. Uddin et al. / Applied Surface Science 449 (2018) 445–453

Fig. 3. (a) Charging equivalent circuit of EDLC, (b) Discharging equivalent circuit of EDLC, (c) Electrochemical equivalent (Randle) circuit, (d) Impedance diagram of Randle
circuit excluding Warburg coefficient and (e) Impedance diagram of Randle circuit including Warburg Coefficient.

Integrating Eq. (12) and applying the boundary conditions (13a, ∂ϕ

The surface charge density ( ) is the change of potential with
∂x
13b) respect to distance in any arbitrary medium as shown below:
At x = 0, ϕ (x) = ϕ (0) (13a) dϕ(x)
(x) = εo εr (17)
dϕ(x) dx
At x = ∞, ϕ (x) → 0, =0 (13b)
dx Thus, the capacitance is given by:
the solution for Eq. (12) is, d
 zqϕ(x)

CGC =
dϕ
(18)
dϕ(x) 8C ∞ N A kB T
= sinh (14)
dx ε0 εr 2kB T So, the Gouy-Chapman capacitance for the electric double layer
 is,
dϕ 8C ∞ N A kB T 

= dx (15) 2z 2 q2 C ∞ N A ε0 εr zqϕ(x)
zqϕ ε0 εr C GC = cosh( ) (19)
sinh 2kB T kB T 2kB T
The solution for Eq. (15) is It is noted that the Gouy-Chapman capacitance is independent
⎧  of the surface area of the electrode; the change in capacitance for
⎪
⎪ 2C ∞ NA
⎪
⎪ (qzx ) three surfaces are almost negligible.
⎪
⎨ ϕ(0)e ε0 εr kB T
; where
zqϕ(x) zqϕ(0)
, ( →= )0 (16a)
ϕ(x) =  4kB T 4kB T 3.3. Stern model capacitance for model surfaces
⎪
⎪ 2C ∞ NA
⎪
⎪ 4kB T (qzx )
⎪
⎩ −1
tanh (e
ε0 εr kB T
tanh(
zqϕ(0)
)); Otherwise (16b) The Stern model is a combination of both Helmholtz and Gouy-
zq 4kB T Chapman models. So, the Stern model capacitances for the EDLC
formed in the three different surfaces are:
⎧
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪ 1 1
⎪
⎪ εr ε0 +  2 2 for planar surface (20a)
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪ 2z q C∞ A 0 εr
N ε zqϕ(x)
⎪
⎪
xH cosh( )
⎪
⎨
kB T 2kB T
1 1 1
= + for Semi-spherical pore surface (20b)
Cdl ⎪ εr ε0 r 2 2z 2 q2 C∞ NA ε0 εr
⎪
⎪ (1 + ) zqϕ(x)
⎪
⎪ xH A cosh( )
⎪
⎪
kB T 2kB T
⎪
⎪ 1 1
⎪
⎪ + for cylindrical pore surface (20c)
⎪
⎪ εr ε0 2Lr
2z 2 q2 C∞ NA ε0 εr
⎩ x (1 + A ) cosh(
zqϕ(x)
)
H kB T 2kB T

3.4. Grahame model capacitance for model Surfaces

Grahame considered the effect of adsorption of the ions at

the electrode surface. He divided the electric double layer into
three-parts; the first layer is electrode surface to IHP, second layer
 Md.S. Uddin et al. / Applied Surface Science 449 (2018) 445–453 449

is IHP to outer Helmholtz OHP and third layer is OHP to bulk multiplying 1/Cdl Rs in both sides gives Eq. 26,
solution (Fig. 2(d)). The electric field (E) due to Coloumbic attrac-
dV c Rp + Rs Vs
tion/repulsion of unit charge on the dipole separated by a distance +( )V c = (26)
dt C dl R p R s C dl R s
x [20] is given below:
q The Eq. (26) is the first order partial differential equation and
E= (21) boundary conditions are:
4ε0 εr x2
The potential at three different layers, i.e., surface to inner att = 0, Vc = 0 (27a)
Helmholtz plane is:
att = ∞, Vc = Vs (27b)
q
ϕ (x) = ϕ0 − (22) So, the solution for the first order differential Eq. (26) is
4ε0 εr xIHP
 R p +R s

where 4ε εqr x define the potential drop due to ion adsorption. V c (t) = V s [1 − e− C dl R p R s
t
] (28)
0 IHP
On the other hand, the potential at the inner Helmholtz plane Thus, the Eq. (28) gives the charging voltage for the EDLC.
to the outer Helmholtz plane is same as Helmholtz potential (Eq.
4). The potential variation from Outer Helmholtz plane to the bulk
3.5.2. Discharging
solution is similar to Gouy-Chapman potential (Eq. 6).
∂ϕ The Kirchhoff current law at node ‘a’ of Fig. 3(b) [22] is,
The first derivative ( ) of Eq. (22) give the inverse capacitance
∂Q
which is similar to that of Helmholtz model. As a result, the capac- dV c Vc Vc
C dl + + =0 (29)
itance variation as per the Grahame model is almost similar that dt Rp Rs + RL
of the Stern model, when the ion absorption at electrode surface is
Re-arranging the Eq. (29)
negligible. In the case of high ion absorption, the electrode would  
lose the EDLC property and behave as an ideal Pseudocapacitor. dV c Rp + Rs + RL
So, the areal capacitance for the three electrode surfaces accord- + Vc = 0 ((30))
dt C dl R p (R s + R L )
ing to Eq. (5) is written as:
⎧ ⎛ ⎞
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪ ⎜ 1 ⎟

⎪
⎪ 1 1 ⎟ 1 − dqa
⎪
⎪ +⎜ ε ε +  (23a)
⎪ ε ε ⎝
⎠ dqM
⎪
⎪
r 0 r 0
2z 2 q2 C∞ NA ε0 εr zqϕ(x)
⎪
⎪ xIHP xOHP cosh
⎪
⎪ ⎛ kB T 2kB T ⎞
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎨ 1 ⎜ 1 1 ⎟

1
=   +⎜   + ⎟ 1 − dqa (23b)
Cdl ⎪ r 2 ⎝ εr ε0 r 2 zqϕ
⎠ dqM
⎪
⎪
εr ε0
1+ 1+ 2z 2 q2 C∞ NA ε0 εr (x)
⎪
⎪ x A x A cosh
⎪
⎪
IHP
⎛ OHP kB T 2kB T ⎞
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪ ⎜ ⎟

⎪
⎪
1

+ ⎜
1

+ 
1 ⎟ 1 − dqa
⎪
⎪ εr ε0 2Lr ⎝ εr ε0 2Lr zqϕ(x)
⎠ dqM
(23c)
⎪
⎪ 2z 2 q2 C∞ NA ε0 εr
⎩ xIHP 1 + A xOHP
1+
A cosh
kB T 2kB T

The Eqs. (23a), (23b) and (23c) corresponds to planar surface,

semi-spherical pore surface and cylindrical pore surface, respec-
tively.
Initial conditions:

3.5. Charge/ discharge characteristics of electric double layer att = 0, Vc = Vs (31a)

att = ∞, Vc = 0 (31b)
3.5.1. Charging
For electrostatic capacitors, the current and voltage are related So, the solution
as given below:
for the Eq.

(30) is:
R p +R s +R L
V dc (t) = V s e− C dl (R s +R L )R p
t
(32)
dV c
iC = C dl (24)
dt Thus, Eq. (32) gives the discharging voltage of EDLC.
where Cdl is the double layer capacitance, Vc is the potential across
the capacitor and iC is the capacitor current [21]. 3.6. Electrochemical impedance characteristics of EDLC
The Kirchhoff Voltage law for the closed loop as shown in
Fig. 3(a) can be written as Eq. (25a) [22,23]. The Randle circuit for the EDLC can be best described as shown in
  Fig. 3(c–e), where Rs is solution resistance, Cdl is double layer capac-
Vc dV c itance and W is Warburg element. The Randles circuit consists of
Vc + + C dl Rs = V s (25a)
Rp dt an active electrolyte resistance (RS ) in series with the parallel com-
bination of the double-layer capacitance (Cdl ) and an impedance of
where Vs is the supply voltage. Re-arranging this Eq. (25a), we get Faradic reaction in series with Warburg element [24–26]. Solution
Eq. (25b) resistance is often a significant factor in the impedance of an elec-
  trochemical cell. The resistance of an ionic solution is a function of
Vc Rs dVc
Vc + + Cdl Rs = Vs (25b) ionic concentration, type of ions, temperature, and the geometry of
Rp dt
the area of the electrochemical cell.
450 Md.S. Uddin et al. / Applied Surface Science 449 (2018) 445–453

3.6.1. Randle circuit excluding Warburg element The R and F are gas constant (R = 8.13 J K−1 mole−1 ) and Faradic
If re-drawn the Randle circuit with respect to impedance where, constant (F = 96500 C), respectively, whereas Do , and Dr are oxidant
1
Z1 = Rs , Z2 = jωC , Z3 = Rp and ␻ is the angular velocity, the equiv- and reductant diffusion coefficients.
dl
alent impedance of the circuit shown in Fig. 3(d) is
Z 2 *Z 3 4. Results and discussions
Z eq = Z 1 + = Z re + jZ im (33)
Z2 + Z3
The variation of double layer potential and areal capacitance for
where real impedance three different electrode surfaces were estimated using MATLAB
Rp R2009a software on aforementioned models. The surface of double
Zre = Rs +  2 layer depends on the concentration of medium in which the double
1 + ωCdl Rp layer forms. Higher the concentration longer the length of the dou-
ble layer formed and vice-versa. For the bulk solution, the extent
and imaginary impedance,
of diffusion length can be calculated by using Debye length (xD ),
ωCdl Rp2 shown in Eq. (37).
Zim =  2 
1 + ωCdl Rp ␧r ␧0 kB T
xD = (37)
2q2 NA C∞
3.6.2. Randle circuit including Warburg element where ␧r, ␧0 B, T, q, NA , C∞ are relative permitivity, Boltzmann con-
If re-drawn the Randle circuit with respect to impedance where, stant, temperature, charge, avogadro number and concentration,
1
Z1 = Rs , Z2 = jωC , Z3 = Rp , Z4 = √
Aw
= √ Aw ; so the equivalent respectively. So, in all the cases the distance from the electrode
dl jω ej90 ω
impedance of the circuit (Fig. 3(e)) is given by: to the solution was kept constant at 20 nm. The capacitance was
estimated using 1 M aqueous electrolyte of relative permittivity ␧r
Z 2 *Z 5 = 78.5, temperature T = 20 ◦ C, valence z = 1 and electrode surface
Z eq = Z 1 + = Z re + jZ im (34)
Z2 + Z5 potential ␸(0) = 0.5 V. In case of concentrated electrolyte, more
1 Aw number of ions will be present in the solution. These ions require
Z re = R s + (R p + √ ) (35) high potential to accumulate/ integrate on the electrode-electrolyte
K ω2 C 2dl 2ω
interface. Thus, for all models, standard potential difference of 0.5 V

2 1

1 Aw Aw Aw was assumed for comparison.
Z im = Rp + √ +√ +√ (36)
K ωC dl 2ω 2ω ωC dl 2ω
4.1. Variation of potential on the model surfaces
where Aw is the Warburg coefficient.

2
2
√Aw 1 √Aw
Fig. 4(a) shows the variation of double layer potential with the
and, K = Rp + + ωCdl
+
2ω 2ω distance from the electrode surface to the bulk solution estimated
RT 1 1 as per the Helmholtz model using Eq. (4). The potential varies lin-
Aw = √ ( +√ ) early with the distance. It approaches to zero with the distance (x∼
AZ 2 F 2 2 Do Co Dr Cr
20 nm). As per the Gouy-Chapman model estimated from Eq. (16b),

Fig. 4. (a) Variation of potential as per the Helmholtz (a), Gouy-Chapman (b), Stern (c) and Grahame models (d).
 Md.S. Uddin et al. / Applied Surface Science 449 (2018) 445–453
Fig. 5. Areal capacitance as per the Helmholtz (a), Gouy-Chapman (b), Stern (c) and Grahame models (d).
the potential variation is exponential with the distance as shown in
Fig. 4(b). It is seen that the significant potential is extended even at
the distance of 20 nm. As is seen in Fig. 4(c), the double layer poten-
tial as per the Stern model decreases sharply when we move from
electrode surface to within 1–2 nm distance as predicted by Eqs.
(4 and 16b). Beyond 2 nm distance, the potential decays gradually
and attain nearly zero at a sufficiently bulk solution (∼20 nm). The
sharp decrease in double layer potential (␸) at the vicinity of the
electrode is due to the accumulation of charges due to the formation
of IHP. On the other hand, the gradual decrease of ␸ beyond 2 nm
distance is due to diffused layer (OHP) formed by thermal motion.
Fig. 4(d) shows the potential variation from electrode surface to the
bulk solution according to Grahame model (Eqs. 4, 16(b) and 22).
The potential increases within a short distance of 1 nm and reach
the maximum at 0.5 nm, then linearly decreases to ∼3 nm distance.
Beyond 3 nm, the potential gradually decreases with x. It is inter-
esting to note that a significant difference in the potential as per
the Stern and Grahame models within a short distance of 1 nm. It is
noted that as per the Grahame model, the ␸ at very near the elec-
trode surface increases (within the distance) due to IHP formation
as well as ion absorption. Such an increase of potential has not been
observed in the Stern model (Fig. 4(c)). Thus, the Grahame model
accounts for the ion adsorption at the vicinity of electrode surface
which significantly influences on the potential. Thus, larger sur-
face area leads to better electrode/ electrolyte interaction which
has resulted in larger potential at the electrode surface. Interest-
ingly, in all models, ␾ extent to the bulk in the cylindrical pore
electrode compared to the plain and semi-spherical surfaces. Such
a high potential is due to the large surface area associated with
the cylindrical surface. The larger surface area will lead to better
interaction with the electrolyte leading reduction of resistance and
hence, resulted in high potential.
4.2. Variation of areal capacitance on the model surfaces
Fig. 5 shows the variation of areal capacitances for three dif-
ferent electrode surfaces, (i.e. plain, semi-sphere and cylindrical
451
pores) with the distance, ‘x’ (from the electrode surface to the bulk
of the solution) estimated based on aforementioned models (Eqs.
5(a–c), 20(a–c), 23(a–c)). It is seen that in all cases the Cdl decreases
exponentially with the distance x’. As per the Eq. (19), the Gouy-
Chapmann capacitance is independent of nature of surface area as
all the three surfaces showed similar Cdl . In all other models, it can
be clearly seen that the type of pore is strongly influencing the areal
capacitance. High capacitance is seen in the vicinity of the dou-
ble layer and low in the bulk solution. Interestingly, the cylindrical
pore electrode exhibits high capacitance compared to the plain and
semi-spherical surfaces. Such a high capacitance is due to the large
surface area associated with the cylindrical surface. It should be
noted that the larger surface area will lead to better interaction
with the electrolyte leading effective charge separation and hence,
resulted in high specific capacitance. The areal capacitance reduces
sharply around 2–3 nm and beyond 3 nm the capacitance trends
to zero. This shows that all the charge storage occurs in between
the 2–3 nm forming a surface of charge layer on the electrode sur-
face within this range. The pore size should be good enough for ions
penetration; otherwise, the electrode behaves like as plane surface.
Alongside, the dipole size would be as small as possible to ensure
r1 → r2 . As a result, the capacitance increases due to the small dis-
tance between charge planes according to Helmholtz model. It is
noteworthy that in this work, simple analytical models have been
developed for three difference electrode surfaces which accom-
modated the standard EDL models. Unlike the works reported by
others which involved assumption and rigorous treatments, the
analytical expressions derived for both potential and areal capaci-
tance in all three different surfaces are simple which did not involve
assumption. This shows that cylindrical pore electrode can be the
best option to choose for developing high-performance practical
EDLC material.
4.3. Charge/ discharge characteristics
Fig. 6(a) shows the obtained charge-discharge profiles for the
EDLC formed by each of three different surfaces in the 1 M aqueous
452 Md.S. Uddin et al. / Applied Surface Science 449 (2018) 445–453
Fig. 6. (a) Simulated charge-discharge profiles of EDLC for three different surfaces
and (b) Nyquist plot of EDL with Warburg component.
electrolyte (Eqs. (28) and (32)). The charge/ discharge characteris-
tics of the EDLC was simulated using Vs = 0.45 V, ␧r = 78.5, RS = 0.15
 and Faradaic resistance 5  in the (1 M) aqueous electrolyte. The
obtained charge/ discharge profiles are nearly mirror image in all
the cases. This means that the charging/ discharging process are
highly reversible. It is noted that the charging time is 8 s and the
discharge time is also 8 s, leading to coulombic efficiency of 100%
which is highly possible for an ideal EDLC. The semi-sphere and
plane surface electrode also exhibits charging time of 7 s and 4 s
respectively, with 100% Coulombic efficiency. Significant IR drop
occurs in particularly during discharging, due to solution resistance
offered by the electrolyte. The nature of electrode surface has a
sharp influence on the charging/ discharging process. The cylindri-
cal pore electrode exhibits large charging/ discharging time which
is substantiated by the Cdl data shown in Fig. 5.
Further, when ions lose their solvation shell, it undergoes the
charge transfer reactions (i.e. the ions come in direct contact with
electrode surface) contributing to pseudocapacitance along with
the EDLC. Generally, the presence of pseudocapacitance in the EDLC
results in one or more plateau regions in charge/discharge profiles
corresponding to the Faradaic reactions. It can be seen from Fig. 6(a)
that there is no plateau regions in the charge/discharge profiles. So,
the simulated charge/discharge profile is entirely contributed by
the EDLC.
4.4. Electrochemical impedance characteristics
Fig. 6(b) shows the Nyquist plot of the EDLC simulated using
Eqs. (33 and 34). The Nyquist plot was simulated in 1 M aqueous
electrolyte of relative permittivity ␧r = 78.5, temperature 20 ◦ C, ion
diffusion coefficient Do = Dr = 1 × 10−9 m2 S-1 , whereas Faradic resis-
tance RP = 5 , solution resistance RS = 0.15 , and frequency f = 1 to
105 Hz. It can be seen that the Nyquist plot consists of the semicir-
cle in the high-frequency region and a spike at the low-frequency
region. The appearance of spike (Warburg element) confirms the
presence of ion diffusion influencing the EDLC property.
5. Conclusions
The double layer potential (␾) and the areal capacitance of
the EDLC have been examined on three different surfaces on the
basis of standard models. The potential and the Cdl depend on the
type of surface, cylindrical pore surface exhibiting larger poten-
tial as well as areal capacitance. The Grahame model accounted for
the total capacitance which involves Cdl and ion adsorption. The
charging/ discharging and impedance characteristics confirmed the
presence of ion diffusion contributing to Cdl . This study revealed
that a large surface area electrode can be utilized for developing
high-performance EDLC practically.
Acknowledgements
The authors acknowledge the Pondicherry University for com-
puter and laboratory facilities. PE thanks SERB, New Delhi, Govt.
of India for the research scheme (EMR/2016/001305). MSU thanks
South Asian Foundation for Fellowship.
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