Integrating microscale electrochemical energy storage devices with microelectronics can convert intermittent renewable energy sources into a usable form through portable systems.
Inkjet printing process is a promising strategy for the customizable design of smart and flexible electronics. However, it's still a challenge to synthesize corresponding ink for inkjet printing.
Recently, Prof. WU Zhongshuai's group and Prof. LIU Shengzhong's group from the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics (DICP) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences developed an aqueous MXene/PH1000 (MP) hybrid ink for inkjet printing of micro-supercapacitors (MSCs).
This study was published in Advanced Energy Materials on April 28.
Schematic illustration of the fabrication of inkjet-printed MP-MSCs and the self-powered integrated system (Image by MA Jiaxin and ZHENG Shuanghao)
"We developed the ink for customizable fabrication of planar MSCs (MP-MSCs) with excellent shape diversity, record volumetric capacitance, integration, and modularization capabilities," said Prof. WU.
The printable MP-MSCs delivered higher volumetric capacitance and energy density than those of most previously reported MSCs. This was attributed to the role of PH1000 in enhancing interlayer contact in the MXene to promote electron and ion transfer.
Moreover, MP-MSCs presented good miniaturization and modularization featuring, with high voltage output up to 36 V from 60 serially connected cells and impressive areal voltage of 5.4 V cm-2 connected in tandem.
This work was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China, Dalian National Laboratory for Clean Energy of CAS. (Text by MA Jiaxin and ZHENG Shuanghao)