Selective ultrathin carbon sheath on porous silicon nanowires: materials for extremely high energy density planar micro-supercapacitors.

Microsupercapacitors are attractive energy storage devices for integration with autonomous microsensor networks due to their high-power capabilities and robust cycle lifetimes. Here, we demonstrate porous silicon nanowires synthesized via a lithography compatible low-temperature wet etch and encapsulated in an ultrathin graphitic carbon sheath, as electrochemical double layer capacitor electrodes. Specific capacitance values reaching 325 mF cm(-2) are achieved, representing the highest specific ECDL capacitance for planar microsupercapacitor electrode materials to date.