Issue 8, 2021

Small molecule-based supramolecular-polymer double-network hydrogel electrolytes for ultra-stretchable and waterproof Zn–air batteries working from −50 to 100 °C

Abstract

The continuing boom in the field of soft electronics has boosted the development of highly stretchable and environment-adaptable energy storage devices based on hydrogel electrolytes. Development of such soft energy supply devices still remains a challenging task since conventional hydrogel electrolytes are quite vulnerable to mechanical deformation and exhibit low temperature-tolerance to maintain their functions under extremely cold conditions. Herein, a small molecule-based supramolecular-polymer double-network (SP-DN) hydrogel platform was developed by introducing a series of non-covalent self-assembled guanosine G-quadruplex supramolecular networks into covalently cross-linked polyacrylamide polymer networks. The obtained KOH (6 M)-filled SP-DN hydrogels exhibited excellent stretchability (>1600%) and wide temperature-tolerance (from −196 to 100 °C), superior interfacial adhesion to various electrode substrates, and ultra-high low- and high-temperature conductivities (252.2 mS cm−1 at −50 °C; 431.7 mS cm−1 at 100 °C). All these outstanding properties strongly recommend the application of SP-DN hydrogels as quasi-solid electrolytes for highly stretchable (device-level elongation >1000%) and wearable Zn–air batteries (ZABs). More interestingly, without any special pre-treatment, the fabricated stretchable ZABs are highly waterproof and temperature-resistant (down to −50 °C and up to 100 °C) with a high energy/power density and a stable long-cycle life. This study offers a new option to design water-based hydrogel electrolytes for highly stretchable and environment-adaptable energy storage devices.

Graphical abstract: Small molecule-based supramolecular-polymer double-network hydrogel electrolytes for ultra-stretchable and waterproof Zn–air batteries working from −50 to 100 °C

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
16 Apr 2021
Accepted
04 Jun 2021
First published
08 Jun 2021

Energy Environ. Sci., 2021,14, 4451-4462

Small molecule-based supramolecular-polymer double-network hydrogel electrolytes for ultra-stretchable and waterproof Zn–air batteries working from −50 to 100 °C

C. Gu, X. Xie, Y. Liang, J. Li, H. Wang, K. Wang, J. Liu, M. Wang, Y. Zhang, M. Li, H. Kong and C. Liu, Energy Environ. Sci., 2021, 14, 4451 DOI: 10.1039/D1EE01134K

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