Dynamically Cross-Linked Hydrogel Electrolyte with Remarkable Stretchability and Self-Healing Capability for Flexible...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Polymer Science

Background:

• Flexible electrochromic devices (ECDs) require durable electrolytes that can withstand operational damage.
• Existing electrolytes often lack self-healing properties, limiting device lifespan and reliability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel hydrogel electrolyte with significant self-healing capabilities for flexible ECDs.
• To investigate the material properties and electrochemical performance of the self-healing hydrogel.

Main Methods:

• Synthesized a hydrogel electrolyte via one-step copolymerization of glycerol monomethacrylate (GMA) and acrylamide (AAm) with borate.
• Incorporated dynamic cross-linking through borate-didiol complexation and hydrogen bonding.
• Fabricated and tested a flexible ECD using the developed hydrogel and a PProDOT-Me2 electrochromic layer.

Main Results:

• Achieved excellent self-healing efficiency (up to 97%), high stretchability (1155% fracture strain), and robust mechanical properties (136.6 kJ m-3 fracture toughness, 13.0 kPa fracture stress).
• Demonstrated stable mechanical and optical performance of the flexible ECD over 1000 operation cycles.
• The hydrogel electrolyte exhibited remarkable ionic conductivity.

Conclusions:

• The developed hydrogel electrolyte offers a promising solution for self-healing in flexible electrochemical devices.
• This technology can potentially enhance the longevity and reliability of ECDs, supercapacitors, and batteries.
• The dynamic cross-linking mechanism is key to the hydrogel's self-healing and mechanical properties.