A study on the preparation of polycation gel polymer electrolyte for supercapacitors

The polycation gel polymer electrolyte (PGPE) is a promising electrolyte material for supercapacitors due to its high ionic conductivity and great flexibility. Herein, we report a novel flexible PGPE film, which is prepared by thermal copolymerization. The superiority of PGPE is attributed to the existence of charged groups in the polymer skeleton. Consequently, the crystallinity of the polymer is effectively reduced, and the migration of the lithium ion is evidently promoted. Moreover, the liquid retention capacity of the film is improved, which enhances its ionic conductivity as well. The reported PGPE exhibits a high ionic conductivity of 57.6 mS cm-1 at 25 °C and a potential window of 0-1.2 V. The symmetrical PGPE supercapacitor (AC/AC) shows 95.21% mass-specific capacitance retention after 5000 cycles at 2 A g-1 with a maximum energy density of 12.8 W h kg-1 and a maximum power density of 5.475 kW kg-1. This study confirms the exciting potential of PGPE for high performance supercapacitors.

The role of nickel–iron based layered double hydroxide on the crystallinity, electrochemical performance, and thermal and mechanical properties of the poly(ethylene-oxide) solid electrolyte

The electrochemical performance and physical properties of PEO-based composite electrolytes were improved with the addition of a NILDH filler.

Hydrogel membranes: A review

Hydrogel membranes (HMs) are defined and applied as hydrated porous media constructed of hydrophilic polymers for a broad range of applications. Fascinating physiochemical properties, unique porous architecture, water-swollen features, biocompatibility, and special water content dependent transport phenomena in semi-permeable HMs make them appealing constructs for various applications from wastewater treatment to biomedical fields. Water absorption, mechanical properties, and viscoelastic features of three-dimensional (3D) HM networks evoke the extracellular matrix (ECM). On the other hand, the porous structure with controlled/uniform pore-size distribution, permeability/selectivity features, and structural/chemical tunability of HMs recall membrane separation processes such as desalination, wastewater treatment, and gas separation. Furthermore, supreme physiochemical stability and high ion conductivity make them promising to be utilised in the structure of accumulators such as batteries and supercapacitors. In this review, after summarising the general concepts and production processes for HMs, a comprehensive overview of their applications in medicine, environmental engineering, sensing usage, and energy storage/conservation is well-featured. The present review concludes with existing restrictions, possible potentials, and future directions of HMs.

A flexible polyelectrolyte-based gel polymer electrolyte for high-performance all-solid-state supercapacitor application

A simple polymerization process assisted with UV light for preparing a novel flexible polyelectrolyte-based gel polymer electrolyte (PGPE) is reported. Due to the existence of charged groups in the polyelectrolyte matrix, the PGPE exhibits favorable mechanical strength and excellent ionic conductivity (66.8 mS cm-1 at 25 °C). In addition, the all-solid-state supercapacitor fabricated with a PGPE membrane and activated carbon electrodes shows outstanding electrochemical performance. The specific capacitance of the PGPE supercapacitor is 64.92 F g-1 at 1 A g-1, and the device shows a maximum energy density of 13.26 W h kg-1 and a maximum power density of 2.26 kW kg-1. After 10 000 cycles at a current density of 2 A g-1, the all-solid-state supercapacitor with PGPE reveals a capacitance retention of 94.63%. Furthermore, the specific capacitance and charge-discharge behaviors of the flexible PGPE device hardly change with the bending states.