Embedded Ag Grid Electrodes as Current Collector for Ultraflexible Transparent Solid-State Supercapacitor.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Flexible transparent solid-state supercapacitors are crucial for next-generation electronics.
• High-performance flexible transparent current collectors are essential for these devices.
• Existing materials often compromise on conductivity, transparency, or mechanical stability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate the use of embedded silver grid transparent conductive electrodes (TCEs) as current collectors.
• To evaluate the optoelectronic and mechanical properties of these novel TCEs.
• To assess the performance of supercapacitors fabricated using these TCEs.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of embedded Ag grid TCEs using soft ultraviolet imprinting lithography and scrap techniques.
• Characterization of TCE optoelectronic properties (sheet resistance, transparency).
• Fabrication and testing of flexible transparent solid-state supercapacitors, including bending tests.

Main Results:

• Embedded Ag grid TCEs achieved excellent optoelectronic properties (Rs ~ 2.0 Ω sq⁻¹, T ~ 89.74%).
• The fabricated supercapacitors exhibited high specific capacitance, long cycling life, and high optical transparency (T ~ 80.58%).
• The supercapacitors demonstrated remarkable flexibility and stability, with only a 2.6% capacitance loss after 1000 bending cycles (2.0 mm radius).

Conclusions:

• Embedded Ag grid TCEs are highly suitable current collectors for flexible transparent solid-state supercapacitors.
• The developed fabrication method offers a viable route to high-performance flexible transparent energy storage devices.
• This work advances the development of flexible transparent electronics by providing key components for energy storage.