Polyampholyte saturated with simulated-body-fluid as a flexible, stretchable and self-healing gel electrolyte for biocompatible energy storages and capacitive circuit elements

As implantable electronic medical devices (IEMDs) develop, biocompatible polymer materials with body-friendly non-toxic nature are receiving great amount of attention. Polyampholyte hydrogels have mechanical flexibility and self-healing properties, as well as biocompatibility; thus, it can be applied in various implantable medical devices and wearable devices. In this study, the possibility of using a polyampholyte hydrogel saturated with simulated body fluid (PA-SBF) as the gel polymer electrolytes for energy storage devices and capacitive circuit elements of IEMDs is investigated. At the normal body temperature (35 degrees C), the PA-SBF exhibited high ionic conductivity of 17.6 mS cm-1 with negligible electron leakage. The supercapacitor fabricated with the PA-SBF gel electrolyte sandwiched between carbon-based electrodes showed an excellent areal capacitance of 219.6 mF cm-2 with a maximum potential window of 1.6 V. The self-healing properties and cytotoxicity of the PA-SBF gel electrolytes were examined as well. With high performance, flexibility, and self-healing property, the biocompatible PA-SBF gel electrolyte can be considered as a promising candidate for the electrolyte of electrochemical devices, energy sources and capacitive circuit elements of future IEMDs.

Automated summary

Polyampholyte hydrogels can be used as gel polymer electrolytes for energy storage devices and capacitive circuit elements due to their high ionic conductivity, excellent areal capacitance, self-healing properties, and biocompatibility.