Cryopolymerization-enabled self-wrinkled polyaniline-based hydrogels for highly stretchable all-in-one...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Polymer Science

Background:

• Conductive polymer hydrogels offer high capacitance and conductivity for supercapacitor electrodes.
• Integrating these hydrogels into all-in-one supercapacitors (A-SCs) with stretchability and high energy density remains a challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a self-wrinkled conductive polymer hydrogel for intrinsically stretchable A-SCs.
• To achieve high energy density and stable electrochemical performance under mechanical deformation.

Main Methods:

• A stretching/cryopolymerization/releasing strategy was used to create a self-wrinkled polyaniline (PANI)-based composite hydrogel (SPCH).
• The SPCH was integrated as an A-SC, consisting of an electrolytic hydrogel core and a PANI composite hydrogel sheath.
• Electrochemical performance and mechanical stability under various deformation conditions were evaluated.

Main Results:

• The self-wrinkled PANI-based hydrogel demonstrated high stretchability (∼970%) and fatigue resistance.
• The resulting A-SC maintained high energy density (70 µW h cm⁻²) and stable outputs under 500% strain and 180° bending.
• The A-SC retained 92% capacitance after 1000 cycles of 100% strain stretching and releasing.

Conclusions:

• A straightforward method for fabricating self-wrinkled conductive polymer hydrogels for A-SCs was established.
• The developed A-SC exhibits excellent deformation tolerance and stable energy storage capabilities.
• This work provides a promising pathway for advanced, flexible energy storage devices.