The contribution of two cations (Na+·H2O and H+) and an anion
(Cl−) were detected when the SWCNT electrode surface is negatively
and positively charged, respectively. The deconvolution of the global
EQCMresponse into distinct contributions (identification of ions, solvation
numbers and free solvent contributions) and the kinetics of
electroadsorption are the strong assets of the ac-electrogravimetry which is a complementary method to the global gravimetry [12,13].
They both can be used most advantageously for detailed characterization
of charging mechanisms in micro- and mesoporous carbons. The
ac-methodology applied to SWCNTs here can be extended to characterize
other carbon based electrodes and pave the way toward more
performant electrode/electrolyte systems in energy storage.