New Approach for Preparation of Porous Polymers with Reversible Pore Structures for a Highly Safe Smart
Fan Zhang1, Chao Wang1, Xiaona Huang1
1Key Laboratory of Polymer Ecomaterials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, P. R. China.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|April 2, 2024
Summary
Researchers developed thermosensitive porous hydrogels with controllable pore structures. These smart hydrogels enhance supercapacitor safety by regulating electrolyte pathways, preventing accidents and enabling reversible performance.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Porous polymers typically have fixed pore structures after polymerization, limiting their applications.
- Controlling pore structure reversibly is crucial for advanced material functionalities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To create thermosensitive porous hydrogels with tunable pore structures and wettability.
- To investigate the application of these hydrogels as smart separators in supercapacitors for enhanced safety.
Main Methods:
- Utilized Pickering high-internal-phase emulsion as a template for synthesizing thermosensitive porous hydrogels.
- Investigated the hydrogels' phase transition behavior upon heating, analyzing changes in wettability and pore structure.
- Evaluated the hydrogel's performance as a separator in smart supercapacitors.
Main Results:
- Achieved rapid (<10 s) and reversible transformation of hydrogel pore structures from open through-holes to closed holes upon heating.
- Demonstrated significant changes in wettability, transitioning from hydrophilic to hydrophobic.
- Successfully employed the hydrogel as a separator in supercapacitors, limiting electrolyte migration and enhancing safety.
- Showcased reversible charging and discharging capabilities linked to the hydrogel's reversible properties.
Conclusions:
- Developed a novel method for preparing porous polymers with controllable and reversible pore structures.
- Paved the way for designing safer smart supercapacitors using stimuli-responsive hydrogel separators.
- Highlighted the potential of thermosensitive hydrogels in advanced energy storage applications.
