Flexible Supercapacitor Electrolyte Using Redox-Active Polymer Hydrogel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current supercapacitors face challenges in developing polymer electrolytes with ionic conductivity, temperature stability, and electrochemical stability while being cost-effective and safe, as liquid electrolytes are toxic and flammable, and redox-mediated systems are expensive and unstable.
Innovation Solution
A flexible energy storage device using a redox-active polymer hydrogel electrolyte comprising a polymer hydrogel, charge balancing anions, and redox-active transition metal cations, such as cobalt (II) ions, which forms a uniform film between carbon electrodes, maintaining energy storage capacity even when bent, and is free of iron.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If liquid electrolytes are used in supercapacitors, then ionic conductivity is improved, but safety deteriorates due to high toxicity and flammability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the electrolyte from liquid to solid polymer hydrogel form, fundamentally altering the parameters of the electrolyte system. This transformation maintains ionic conductivity while eliminating the harmful properties of liquid electrolytes such as toxicity and flammability, directly resolving the technical contradiction between conductivity and safety
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by combining polymer matrices with hydrogel structures and incorporating redox-active transition metal cations. This composite approach creates a polymer hydrogel electrolyte that integrates the benefits of polymer stability with hydrogel flexibility and ionic conductivity, while eliminating liquid electrolyte hazards
2Quantity of substance
If redox-mediated systems are used to improve energy and power densities, then capacitance is improved, but cost and stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive redox-mediated systems with a more economical polymer hydrogel electrolyte containing redox-active transition metal cations. This substitution maintains the necessary electrochemical functionality while significantly reducing production costs, directly addressing the contradiction between performance and manufacturing cost
3Object-affected harmful factors
If polymer electrolytes are used to improve safety, then flammability is reduced, but ionic conductivity and electrochemical stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the polymer electrolyte parameters by introducing hydrogel structures and redox-active transition metal cations. These parameter changes enhance ionic conductivity and electrochemical stability while maintaining the inherent safety advantages of polymer-based electrolytes, resolving the contradiction between safety and performance
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 device retains greater than 75% of its unbent energy storage capacity when bent and achieves specific capacitance of 300 to 380 F/g and energy density of 17 to 25 Wh/kg, with improved ionic conductivity and mechanical flexibility, making it suitable for flexible energy devices.
Implementation Method 1
redox-active polymer hydrogel electrolyte comprises a polymer hydrogel, charge balancing anions and redox-active transition metal cations
Data Source
AI summary
A flexible energy storage device with a redox-active polymer hydrogel electrolyte is provided. The flexible energy storage device can include a pair of electrodes separated by the redox-active polymer hydrogel electrolyte. The redox-active polymer hydrogel electrolyte can include a polymer hydrogel, charge balancing anions and redox-active transition metal cations at least one selected from the group consisting of vanadium, chromium, manganese, cobalt, and copper. The flexible energy storage device may retain greater than 75% of an unbent specific capacitance when bent at an angle of 10° to 170°.