<p>The limited voltage window of aqueous electrolyte arises from water electrolysis, significantly constraining energy density and restricting the application of aqueous supercapacitors in various scenarios. Herein, a molecular crowding strategy that seamlessly integrates water and a crowding agent to form strong hydrogen bonds for higher water electrolysis overpotential is introduced to address this dilemma. The molecular crowding electrolyte (MCE) using polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG-400) as crowding agent in 2 mol L<sup>−1</sup> LiCl aqueous solution achieves an extraordinary voltage window of ∼2.8 V, which also enhances charge storage ability by promoting the desolvation process of the hydrated Li<sup>+</sup> ions. In addition, interactions between hydroxyl groups of PEG molecules and surface terminations of Ti<sub>3</sub>C<sub>2</sub> effectively protect Ti<sub>3</sub>C<sub>2</sub> sheets from oxidation under positive potential. Consequently, a symmetric Ti<sub>3</sub>C<sub>2</sub>-based 2-electrode device demonstrates a wide voltage window of 1.5 V, with a high specific capacitance of 48.3 F g<sup>−1</sup>. Furthermore, the high-viscosity MCEs could also be used to fabricate in-plane micro-supercapacitors printed on polyester fabric substrates, showing a superior specific capacitance of 18.3 mF cm<sup>−2</sup>, good rate capability, and high stability under deformation. This work represents a stride toward electrochemically stable aqueous supercapacitors and offers insights into textile-based energy devices for wearable applications.</p>

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Molecular crowding electrolyte for high-voltage flexible aqueous capacitors

  • Wenkun Fei,
  • Yuxiang Zhang,
  • Xuejiao Wang,
  • Tongqing Zhou,
  • Bo Wu,
  • Jianmin Li

摘要

The limited voltage window of aqueous electrolyte arises from water electrolysis, significantly constraining energy density and restricting the application of aqueous supercapacitors in various scenarios. Herein, a molecular crowding strategy that seamlessly integrates water and a crowding agent to form strong hydrogen bonds for higher water electrolysis overpotential is introduced to address this dilemma. The molecular crowding electrolyte (MCE) using polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG-400) as crowding agent in 2 mol L−1 LiCl aqueous solution achieves an extraordinary voltage window of ∼2.8 V, which also enhances charge storage ability by promoting the desolvation process of the hydrated Li+ ions. In addition, interactions between hydroxyl groups of PEG molecules and surface terminations of Ti3C2 effectively protect Ti3C2 sheets from oxidation under positive potential. Consequently, a symmetric Ti3C2-based 2-electrode device demonstrates a wide voltage window of 1.5 V, with a high specific capacitance of 48.3 F g−1. Furthermore, the high-viscosity MCEs could also be used to fabricate in-plane micro-supercapacitors printed on polyester fabric substrates, showing a superior specific capacitance of 18.3 mF cm−2, good rate capability, and high stability under deformation. This work represents a stride toward electrochemically stable aqueous supercapacitors and offers insights into textile-based energy devices for wearable applications.