All-solid-state supercapacitors based on PEDOT:PSS/CNT composites with high stretchability

Stretchable electronics are used in sensors, electronic skin, health monitors and so on. Among them, the stretchable supercapacitor, as one of the main sources of energy for stretchable electronic devices, has attracted the attention due to its large power density and long-term cycle life. In addition, researchers show more interest to maintain intrinsic performance of supercapacitor when it is exerted by the unpredictable destructive force

Previously, Chen’s group at Tongji University ^[1] firstly reported an all-solid-state supercapacitor based on an ordered carbon nanotube/MoS₂ composite with stretchability up to 240%. The all-solid-state supercapacitor can still work normally when it is stretched to 240% and its specific capacity is not obviously reduced. After 500 times of stretching the supercapacitor to 160%, the specific capacity is 91% of the initial state, showing good stretchable stability.

Recently, Chen’s group ^[2] reported an all-solid-state supercapacitor with stretchability up to 480%. Ag-doped PEDOT: PSS / CNT composite are as an electrode and a polyvinyl alcohol / phosphoric acid gel electrolyte. The supercapacitor not only has a high specific capacity (64 mF cm-2), but also retains 98% of the initial specific capacity when stretched to 480%, which is by far the highest value based on the same electrolyte system. The initial capacity of 90% can be maintained by 100 times stretching to 400%. The supercapacitor with 2000 times stretching to 200% maintains the initial capacity of 93%, which shows that the supercapacitor has excellent stretchable stability. 

The above research results provide an effective strategy for preparing high stretchable energy storage devices with excellent performance, which greatly expands the application realm of supercapacitors in wearable and portable electronic products.

References:

[1] Highly Stretchable Supercapacitors Based on Aligned Carbon Nanotube / Molybdenum Disulfide Composites. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 2016, 55, 9191-9195.

[2]  Ag-Doped PEDOT: PSS / CNT Composites for Thin-Film All-Solid-State Supercapacitors with 

      a stretchability of 480%. J. Mater. Chem. A, 2017, DOI: 10.1039 / C7TA09154K.

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