Ambient-Stable and Resilient Glycerogel Electrolytes for Flexible Solid-State Supercapacitors

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Energy Storage

Background:

• Flexible solid-state supercapacitors offer promise but face limitations due to environmental factors like evaporation and freezing.
• Existing hydrogel electrolytes struggle with durability in harsh conditions, restricting practical applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a flexible glycerogel electrolyte with enhanced antidrying and antifreezing properties for robust supercapacitor performance.
• To investigate the stability and conductivity of the novel electrolyte under various environmental stresses.
• To demonstrate the practical application of the electrolyte in a fibrous solid-state supercapacitor for wearable electronics.

Main Methods:

• Incorporation of eco-friendly NaCl and hygroscopic glycerol into a stretchable hydrogel matrix.
• Testing of electrolyte hydration retention, conductivity stability across temperatures (-20 to 60 °C) and low pressure (~2.4 kPa).
• Assembly of a fibrous solid-state supercapacitor using carbon nanotube yarns and evaluation of its performance and stability.

Main Results:

• The glycerogel electrolyte retained hydration for 180 days and showed stable conductivity under extreme conditions.
• The fibrous supercapacitor achieved a gravimetric capacitance of 148 F·g⁻¹ and maintained over 86% capacitance after 30 days in harsh environments.
• The supercapacitor demonstrated practical utility by powering a heat-induced sanitization function on a facial mask.

Conclusions:

• The developed glycerogel electrolyte offers exceptional durability and stable performance in challenging environmental conditions.
• This versatile electrolyte is a sustainable solution for powering wearable electronic devices.
• The integration into a facial mask highlights the potential for self-powered, functional wearable systems.