Hydrogel Electrolyte with Dual Crosslinked Networks for Supercapacitors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hydrogel electrolytes in supercapacitors are brittle and lack mechanical strength, failing when subjected to mechanical stimuli, which limits the flexibility and robustness of wearable energy storage devices.
Innovation Solution
A hydrogel electrolyte with a polymer matrix comprising two crosslinked structures, including a covalently bonded acrylamide network and an ionically bonded alginate network, which can dissipate energy under mechanical loads by breaking and reforming bonds, maintaining the electrolyte's integrity and functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hydrogel electrolytes are prepared by mixing polymer aqueous solution with acid/alkaline/electrolyte salt, then the electrolyte can provide ionic conductivity, but the electrolyte becomes brittle and poor in mechanical strength
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining polymer chains with dual crosslinked structures (covalent and ionic bonds) to create a hydrogel electrolyte that integrates both mechanical strength and ionic conductivity. The composite structure of crosslinked polymer networks embedded in aqueous electrolyte solution provides enhanced toughness while maintaining electrochemical functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by controlling the concentration and type of crosslinks (covalent vs ionic) in the polymer matrix to tune the mechanical properties and energy dissipation behavior. By adjusting crosslinking density and bond types, the hydrogel achieves optimal balance between flexibility, strength, and ionic conductivity for supercapacitor application.
2Power
If conventional supercapacitors are used, then high power density and fast charge-discharge rate are achieved, but the supercapacitors fail when subjected to mechanical stimuli
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible hydrogel electrolyte membranes that can accommodate mechanical deformation without failure. The thin film hydrogel structure maintains ionic conductivity while providing flexibility and mechanical robustness, allowing the supercapacitor to withstand bending, stretching, and other mechanical stimuli during wearable device operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The supercapacitor integrates composite hydrogel electrolyte with electrode materials to create a mechanically robust device. The composite structure combines the electrochemical performance of conventional supercapacitors with the mechanical flexibility and toughness of crosslinked hydrogel networks, enabling both high power density and mechanical reliability.
3Device complexity
If hydrogel electrolyte with single crosslinked structure is used, then the structure is simple, but the energy dissipation capability under mechanical loads is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements composite crosslinked structures by incorporating both covalent and ionic crosslinks within the polymer matrix. This dual-crosslinked composite architecture provides multiple energy dissipation mechanisms: covalent bonds provide structural stability while ionic bonds offer reversible breaking and reforming under stress, enhancing overall energy dissipation capability without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by designing ionic crosslinks that can dynamically break and reform under mechanical stress, providing adaptive energy dissipation. The ionic bonds serve as reversible sacrificial bonds that break to dissipate energy during deformation and reform when stress is removed, enabling the hydrogel to withstand repeated mechanical cycling.
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 enables a robust and flexible supercapacitor that maintains performance under large mechanical loads, with enhanced energy dissipation and mechanical properties, such as high tensile modulus and stretchability, without compromising capacitance retention.
Implementation Method 1
an ionically bonded alginate network, which can dissipate energy under mechanical loads by breaking and reforming bonds
Implementation Method 2
the electrolyte can dissipate energy in response to mechanical loads
Implementation Method 3
a covalently bonded acrylamide network
Data Source
AI summary
A System and a method for an electrolyte for use in a supercapacitor including a hydrogel including a polymer matrix including at least two crosslinked structures; an aqueous solution including the polymer matrix within the aqueous solution, and wherein the electrolyte can dissipate energy in response to mechanical loads.