Recent advances and challenges of stretchable supercapacitors based on carbon materials

Stretchable energy storage devices are essential for the development of stretchable electronics that can maintain their electronic performance while sustain large mechanical strain. In this context, stretchable supercapacitors (SSCs) are regarded as one of the most promising power supply in stretchable electronic devices due to their high power densities, fast charge-discharge capability, and modest energy densities. Carbon materials, including carbon nanotubes, graphene, and mesoporous carbon, hold promise as electrode materials for SSCs for their large surface area, excellent electrical, mechanical, and electrochemical properties. Much effort has been devoted to developing stretchable, carbon-based SSCs with different structure/performance characteristics, including conventional planar/textile, wearable fiber-shaped, transparent, and solid-state devices with aesthetic appeal. This review summarizes recent advances towards the development of carbon-based SSCs. Challenges and important directions in this emerging field are also discussed.