Integrated Janus gel with bilayered heterostructure for high-performance supercapacitors

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Energy Storage

Background:

• Simultaneous electrode compatibility at high voltages is a critical challenge for energy storage devices.
• Existing electrolytes often fail under high-voltage conditions, limiting power output.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an integrated Janus gel electrolyte with a bilayer heterostructure for high-voltage applications.
• To overcome the limitations of conventional electrolytes in achieving simultaneous cathode and anode compatibility.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a Janus gel electrolyte comprising deep eutectic solvent (DES) and ionic liquid (IL) gel phases.
• Characterization of the electrolyte's electrochemical window, ionic conductivity, and temperature tolerance.
• Fabrication and testing of a supercapacitor using the developed Janus gel electrolyte.

Main Results:

• The Janus gel electrolyte exhibited a wide electrochemical window of 4.70 V and ionic conductivity of 3.57 mS/cm.
• Supercapacitors demonstrated high energy density (89.4 Wh/kg at 646.2 W/kg) and robust cycling stability (>10,000 cycles).
• The electrolyte showed excellent temperature tolerance and reduced interfacial impedance.

Conclusions:

• The integrated Janus gel electrolyte design effectively extends potential limits for both electrodes.
• This novel electrolyte architecture significantly enhances the performance and stability of high-voltage energy storage devices.
• The study offers new strategies for designing advanced electrolytes for demanding energy storage applications.