Tough‐Hydrogel Reinforced Low‐Tortuosity Conductive Networks for Stretchable and High‐Performance Supercapacitors

Abstract

All‐solid‐state supercapacitors are seeing emerging applications in flexible and stretchable electronics. Supercapacitors with high capacitance, high power density, simple form factor, and good mechanical robustness are highly desired, which demands electrode materials with high surface area, high mass loading, good conductivity, larger thickness, low tortuosity, and high toughness. However, it has been challenging to simultaneously realize them in a single material. By compositing a superficial layer of tough hydrogel on conductive and low tortuous foams, a thick capacitor electrode with large capacitance (5.25 F cm‐2), high power density (41.28 mW cm‐2), and good mechanical robustness (ε = 140%, Γ = 1000 J m‐2) is achieved. The tough hydrogel serves as both a load‐bearing layer to maintain structural integrity during deformation and a permeable binder to allow interaction between the conductive electrode and electrolyte. It is shown that the tough hydrogel reinforcement is beneficial for both electrical and mechanical stability. With a simple design and facile fabrication, this strategy is generalizable for various conductive materials.

Document Details

Document Type
Pub Defense Publication
Publication Date
May 31, 2021
Source ID
10.1002/adma.202100983

Entities

People

  • Bowen Yao
  • Mutian Hua
  • Shuwang Wu
  • Ximin He
  • Yin Jin
  • Yusen Zhao

Organizations

  • Air Force Office of Scientific Research
  • National Science Foundation
  • Office of Naval Research
  • University of California, Los Angeles

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Materials science

Readers

  • Electrochemical Engineering/ Fuel Cell Technologies
  • Nanoscale Plasmonic Nanotechnology
  • Reinforced Composite Materials

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics