Self-Healing and Shape-Editable Wearable Supercapacitors Based on Highly Stretchable Hydrogel Electrolytes
Yizhou Zhao1,2, Quanduo Liang2,3, Samuel M Mugo4
1State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130022, P. R. China.
Advanced Science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)
|June 27, 2022
Summary
Researchers developed shape-editable, self-healing wearable supercapacitors with long-term durability. These flexible devices utilize unique hydrogel electrolytes, maintaining performance after repeated shaping and thousands of charge cycles.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Wearable Electronics
Background:
- Wearable supercapacitors require shape editability, self-healing, and durability.
- Current designs often lack flexibility and shape adaptability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To create wearable supercapacitors with enhanced shape editability, self-healing, and cycling durability.
- To investigate hydrogel electrolytes with unique cross-linking structures for improved stability.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of supercapacitors by sandwiching hydrogel electrolytes between electrodes.
- Utilizing hydrogel electrolytes with dynamic crosslinking sites (quadruple H bonds and hydrophobic association).
- Testing shape editability, self-healing capabilities, and long-term cycling durability.
Main Results:
- Supercapacitors demonstrated repeated shape editability without capacitance loss.
- Achieved 99.6% and 95.8% capacitance retention after 5,000 and 10,000 cycles, respectively.
- Showcased 95% capacitance retention after five cutting/self-healing cycles.
Conclusions:
- The developed hydrogel electrolytes significantly enhance supercapacitor durability and stability.
- The fabricated wearable supercapacitors offer a promising solution for flexible energy storage.
- Demonstrated practical application by powering electronic devices like LEDs and watches.
