One-Pot Synthesis of a Double-Network Hydrogel Electrolyte with Extraordinarily Excellent Mechanical Properties for a Highly Compressible and Bendable Flexible Supercapacitor

• DOI: 10.1021/acsami.8b11377
• Publication Date: 2018-08-08T18:01:53Z
• Authors: Tingrui Lin; Mengni Shi; Furong Huang; Jing Peng; Qingwen Bai; Jiuqiang Li; Maolin Zhai
• Keywords: 01 natural sciences; 3. Good health; 0104 chemical sciences

High-performance hydrogel electrolytes play a crucial role in flexible supercapacitors (SCs). However, the unsatisfactory mechanical properties of widely used polyvinyl alcohol-based greatly limit their use SCs. Here, novel Li2SO4-containing agarose/polyacrylamide double-network (Li-AG/PAM DN) electrolyte was synthesized by heating-cooling and subsequent radiation-induced polymerization cross-linking process. The Li-AG/PAM DN possesses extremely excellent with compression strength 150 MPa, fracture strain above 99.9%, tensile 1103 kPa, an elongation at break 2780%, superior to those have been reported. It also achieves high ionic conductivity 41 mS cm-1 originating from its interconnected three-dimensional porous network structure that provides channel for migration. Compared SC applying Li2SO4 aqueous solution electrolyte, corresponding electrolyte-SC presents lower charge-transfer resistance, better diffusion, being closer ideal capacitive behaviors, rate capability, cycling stability, owing improved transport electrode interfaces. Moreover, after testing overcharge, short circuit, temperature, capacitance can still be well maintained. Furthermore, electrochemical remain almost intact under different strains/bending angles even 1000 compression/bending cycles. is expected may broad applications modern wearable electronics.