Scaling Carbon-Cement Supercapacitors for Energy Storage Use-Cases

Abstract

The urgent global transition to renewable energy is constrained by the intermittent nature of solar and wind sources, highlighting the critical need for scalable energy storage solutions. This thesis presents a comprehensive investigation into the development of structurally integrated supercapacitors based on carbon-doped cement composites, known as EC3 cells. These multifunctional materials combine structural performance with electrochemical energy storage capabilities, enabling integration directly into civil infrastructure. The research focuses on three essential challenges for real-world deployment: (1) replacing laboratory acrylic casings with hydrophobic sealants compatible with cementitious systems, (2) quantifying and mitigating shrinkage and swelling in nanocarbon cement matrices under electrolyte exposure, and (3) identifying corrosion-resistant current collectors that maintain conductivity and mechanical durability under harsh conditions. Bitumen-based coatings were found to be promising sealants for moisture containment. Shrinkage studies [ are underway, I will complete this part shortly]. Meanwhile, corrosion testing of various collector materials revealed that graphene sheets and stainless steel–reinforced graphillic papers offered optimal trade-offs between conductivity, corrosion resistance, and mechanical performance. The thesis concludes with two field-implementation design proposals—a vertical column and a vaulted arch—both of which leverage compression to improve electrochemical contact and stability. Altogether, this work establishes a foundational framework for embedding energy storage directly into the built environment.