Enhancing Solid-State Supercapacitors with Nitrogen Plasma-Activated PVA-KOH Gel Electrolyte.
Yiduo Li1,2, Gen Chen2, Shidong Fang2
1Science Island Branch, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China.
Gels (Basel, Switzerland)
|February 26, 2026
Summary
Nitrogen plasma treatment significantly boosted the ionic conductivity of poly(vinyl alcohol)-potassium hydroxide (PVA-KOH) gel electrolytes by 26%. This surface modification enhances solid-state supercapacitors for better energy storage performance.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Surface Engineering
Background:
- Solid-state energy storage devices require electrolytes with high ionic conductivity.
- Gel electrolytes often suffer from limited ionic conductivity, hindering device performance.
- Surface modification is a key strategy to overcome these limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To enhance the ionic conductivity of poly(vinyl alcohol)-potassium hydroxide (PVA-KOH) gel electrolytes.
- To investigate the effect of inductively coupled nitrogen plasma (ICP) surface modification.
- To improve the performance of solid-state supercapacitors.
Main Methods:
- Applied ICP surface modification to PVA-KOH gel electrolytes.
- Optimized plasma treatment parameters (150 W, 20 s) using ionic conductivity measurements.
- Characterized surface modifications using techniques to analyze functional groups, doping, roughness, and hydrogen bonding.
Main Results:
- Identified optimal ICP treatment parameters yielding a 26% increase in ionic conductivity.
- Confirmed introduction of nitrogen-containing polar functional groups and surface nitrogen doping.
- Observed increased surface roughness and disruption of the hydrogen bond network.
- Demonstrated improved interfacial polarity and facilitated ion transport.
Conclusions:
- Nitrogen-induced ICP treatment is an effective surface engineering strategy for gel electrolytes.
- Optimized gel electrolytes significantly enhance solid-state supercapacitor energy density, rate capability, and interfacial impedance.
- This approach advances the development of high-performance solid-state energy storage devices.
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