Recyclable and tear-resistant all-in-one supercapacitor with dynamic electrode/electrolyte interface.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Energy Storage

Background:

• Flexible energy storage is crucial for modern electronics.
• All-in-one supercapacitors offer integrated solutions.
• Developing durable and high-performance flexible devices remains a challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and fabricate an all-in-one supercapacitor with a dynamic electrode/electrolyte interface.
• To investigate the electrochemical performance and structural stability of the device.
• To explore the recyclability and potential applications of the supercapacitor.

Main Methods:

• Utilized hydrogen bonds and metal coordination bonds to create a dynamic interface in a polyaniline (PANI) supercapacitor.
• Conducted electrochemical capacitance measurements at various current densities.
• Assessed structural stability under mechanical stress (bending, folding, stretching) and self-healing capabilities.
• Evaluated the recyclability of the hydrogel electrode.

Main Results:

• Achieved remarkable electrochemical capacitance (162 F/g at 0.5 A/g).
• Demonstrated excellent structural stability with minimal performance degradation under mechanical deformation.
• Showcased effective self-healing properties.
• Confirmed efficient recyclability of the hydrogel electrode with negligible loss in performance.

Conclusions:

• The dynamic interface design is effective for creating high-performance, flexible supercapacitors.
• The developed PANI supercapacitor offers superior electrochemical properties and mechanical robustness.
• This work provides a practical approach for large-scale manufacturing of flexible energy storage devices, electronic skin, and stretchable sensors.