Ultrastretchable MXene Microsupercapacitors

Stretchable microsupercapacitors represent emerging miniaturized energy-storage devices for next-generation deformable electronics. Two-dimensional (2D) transition metal carbides (MXenes) are considered attractive electrode materials due to their metallic conductivity, hydrophilic surfaces, and excellent processability. Here, an ultrastretchable microsupercapacitor of interdigitated MXene microelectrodes with crumpled surface textures is created. The microsupercapacitor shows a series of attractive properties including a high specific capacitance of approximate to 185 mF cm(-2), ultrahigh stretchability up to 800% area strain, and approximate to 89.7% retention of the initial capacitance after 1000 stretch-relaxation cycles. In addition to static strains, the microsupercapacitor demonstrates robust mechanical properties to retain stable charging-discharging capability under dynamic stretching at different strain rates. A self-powering circuit system utilizes four microsupercapacitor packs to power a light-emitting diode (LED) array, which exhibits stable operations under large tensile strain and skin-attached wearable settings. The developments offer a generic design strategy to enhance the deformability of microsupercapacitors based on 2D nanomaterials.

Automated summary

Stretchable microsupercapacitors have become important energy storage devices for next-generation deformable electronics. This study presents an ultrastretchable microsupercapacitor using two-dimensional (2D) transition metal carbides (MXenes) as electrode materials. The microsupercapacitor exhibits high specific capacitance, ultrahigh stretchability, and good retention of capacitance after repeated stretching. It also shows robust mechanical properties and stable charging-discharging capability under dynamic stretching. These developments offer a generic design strategy to enhance the deformability of microsupercapacitors based on 2D nanomaterials.