A fiber asymmetric supercapacitor based on FeOOH/PPy on carbon fibers as an anode electrode with high volumetric energy density for wearable applications

Abstract

Fiber supercapacitors are promising energy storage devices for wearable applications. However, the fiber supercapacitors are currently limited by the mediocre capacitance performances due to the use of typical carbon materials as the anode, sacrificing the volumetric energy density of the whole device. In addition, the inability to undergo washable cycles and poor self-discharge rate prevents the fiber-shaped supercapacitors from being a true energy textile and affects their practicability. Hence, the porous anode electrode FeOOH/PPy@CF has been firstly prepared with a high volumetric capacitance of 30.17 F cm⁻³, contributing to a high volumetric energy density of 2 mWh cm⁻³ (based on the whole encapsulated device) for a fiber asymmetric supercapacitor MnO₂@CF//FeOOH/PPy@CF in PVA/LiCl. Good flexibility could be exhibited when it was woven into a glove. Desired working voltage and capacity output could be easily obtained when connecting devices in series and parallel. The encapsulated device could work stably even after it was dipped for multiple cycles in different solutions and with intensive stirring in water that simulates washing cycles. The self-discharge rate could be mitigated when an ionogel electrolyte ([EMIM][TFSI]/FS) was incorporated and this further enhanced the energy density to 3.7 mWh cm⁻³. The outstanding properties of our assembled asymmetric fiber supercapacitor device render it a good candidate for practical wearable energy storage devices.