Cellulose Hydrogel Electrolyte for Stable, Non-Flammable Supercapacitors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrolytes for supercapacitors face issues such as high toxicity, leakage, high cost, and flammability, and there is a need for more stable and environmentally friendly alternatives.
Innovation Solution
A hydrogel electrolyte is developed using an aqueous extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa intercalated into a citric acid cross-linked cellulose-based polymer, comprising sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, citric acid, and water, which enhances ionic conductivity and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional liquid electrolytes are used in supercapacitors, then high ionic conductivity is achieved, but toxicity, flammability, and leakage issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the electrolyte from liquid to hydrogel form, and modifies the chemical composition by using citric acid cross-linked cellulose polymer matrix with aqueous Hibiscus sabdariffa extract, transforming harmful liquid electrolytes into stable, non-flammable solid-like hydrogel electrolytes with maintained ionic conductivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite hydrogel electrolyte system combining citric acid cross-linked cellulose polymer matrix with aqueous Hibiscus sabdariffa extract containing organic acids and phenolic compounds, achieving both structural integrity and enhanced electrochemical performance while eliminating toxicity and flammability issues
2Reliability
If synthetic polymer electrolytes (PVA, PEO, polyacrylonitrile) are used, then high ionic conductivity is achieved, but cost increases and environmental issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive synthetic petroleum-based polymers with inexpensive, biodegradable, naturally occurring cellulose and citric acid, which are abundant, renewable, and environmentally friendly materials that can be easily manufactured at low cost
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material origin from synthetic petroleum-based polymers to natural biopolymers, and modifies the cross-linking mechanism using citric acid to create a sustainable, biodegradable electrolyte matrix with comparable or superior performance
3Ease of manufacture
If bio-based polymer electrolytes are used, then environmental friendliness and low cost are achieved, but ionic conductivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses citric acid as a cross-linking intermediary that creates a three-dimensional network structure in the cellulose polymer matrix, and incorporates aqueous Hibiscus sabdariffa extract containing organic acids and phenolic compounds that enhance ionic conductivity while maintaining the biodegradable, low-cost structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite hydrogel electrolyte combining citric acid cross-linked cellulose with aqueous plant extract, where the plant-derived organic acids and phenolic compounds act as ionic conductors within the biopolymer matrix, achieving both environmental friendliness and high ionic conductivity
4Temperature
If gel polymer electrolytes are prepared by aggregating liquid electrolytes into polymer framework, then thermal stability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a self-assembling, one-pot synthesis approach where citric acid naturally cross-links cellulose in the presence of aqueous Hibiscus sabdariffa extract under simple heating conditions, forming the hydrogel electrolyte structure automatically without requiring complex multi-step manufacturing processes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent simplifies the manufacturing process by changing from complex multi-step gel electrolyte preparation to a simple one-pot cross-linking reaction using naturally occurring citric acid and cellulose, requiring only basic heating and mixing operations
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The hydrogel electrolyte achieves high ionic conductivity, thermal stability, and maintains specific capacitance over numerous charge-discharge cycles, making it suitable for energy storage applications.
Implementation Method 1
citric acid cross-linked cellulose-based polymer hydrogel
Implementation Method 2
An organic acid from the aqueous extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa is intercalated to the citric acid cross-linked cellulose-based polymer hydrogel via hydrogen bonds
Implementation Method 3
The hydrogel electrolyte achieves high ionic conductivity
Data Source
AI summary
A hydrogel electrolyte for a supercapacitor includes sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (C), water, citric acid (CA); and an aqueous extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa. The sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (C) and the citric acid (CA) form a citric acid cross-linked cellulose-based polymer hydrogel (C-CA-C). An organic acid from the aqueous extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa is intercalated to the citric acid cross-linked cellulose-based polymer hydrogel (C-CA-C) via hydrogen bonds. A method of preparation of the hydrogel electrolyte is also discussed.