Carbon materials for an efficient use of energy by electrochemical devices

The efficient use of energy, in particular electricity,requires devices allowing its storage and subsequentconversion into work with a high yield.Electrochemical devices are very effective since theabsence of mechanical moving parts reducesirreversibility and provides high efficient conversions.The efficiency of the device depends on theperformance of the electrodes, which depends onthe properties of the materials that compose them.Because most of the electrodes are made fromcarbons, this field of research has experienced atremendous growth in recent years, in particular forthree devices: Proton Exchange Membrane FuelCells, Lithium Ion Batteries and Supercapacitors.This article presents the latest research trends inthis field taking as a reference the papers presentedat the Carbon 2012 Conference recently held inKrakow.