All-in-one flexible supercapacitor with ultrastable performance under extreme load

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Energy Storage
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Fiber-type solid-state supercapacitors are essential for wearable and flexible electronics.
• Achieving both high energy storage and mechanical integrity in fibers is a key challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and fabricate a hybrid composite fiber for advanced supercapacitor applications.
• To enhance energy storage capacity and mechanical robustness through material design and heat treatment.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a hybrid composite fiber using double-walled carbon nanotube yarn and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs).
• Heat treatment to convert MOFs into MOF-derived carbon (MDC) for improved performance.
• Tuning fiber properties like thickness and MDC loading.

Main Results:

• The hybrid fibers demonstrated a high energy density of 7.54 mWh/cm³ at a power density of 190.94 mW/cm³.
• The fibers exhibited excellent mechanical robustness, functioning under various deformation conditions.
• The supercapacitor fiber could power an LED and support a 10 kg weight.

Conclusions:

• The developed MOF-derived carbon/carbon nanotube hybrid fiber is a promising candidate for high-performance flexible energy storage.
• This technology enables robust and efficient power supplies for next-generation wearable devices.
• The tunable properties and superior performance highlight the potential for advanced fiber-based electronics.