Functionalized Bisphenol A-Based Polymer for High-Performance Structural Supercapacitor Composites

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Energy Storage

Background:

• Polymer composites are increasingly used in electrical storage devices like batteries and supercapacitors.
• Structural supercapacitor composites (SSCs) offer dual functionality, storing energy and bearing mechanical loads for lightweight solutions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize dual-functional structural electrolytes for SSCs by functionalizing Bisphenol A-based thermosetting polymers with ionic liquids.
• To fabricate and evaluate a multifunctional sandwich structure incorporating the developed SSC.

Main Methods:

• Functionalization of Bisphenol A-based thermosetting polymers with ionic liquids.
• Fabrication of a sandwich structure with SSC core (carbon fibre/graphene nanoplatelets) and outer skins (graphene nanoplatelets dispersed in resin).
• Performance testing up to 85 °C, including specific capacitance, energy density, and flexural strength; Finite Element Analysis (FEA) using Abaqus CAE.

Main Results:

• The developed SSC demonstrated stable operation up to 85 °C with a specific capacitance of 57.28 mFcm⁻² and energy density of 179 mWhm⁻² at room temperature.
• Performance doubled at 85 °C with excellent capacitance retention across tested temperatures.
• Flexural strength at 85 °C was 71 MPa, exceeding Australian building standard AS 4040.1 requirements for roofing sheets.

Conclusions:

• The research highlights the potential of multifunctional polymer composite systems for renewable energy infrastructure.
• The developed material offers a robust, energy-efficient solution aligning with circular economy and sustainability goals.
• FEA simulations confirmed the structural integrity and predicted damage initiation zones accurately.