High-Performance Flexible Asymmetric Supercapacitor Paired with Indanthrone@Graphene Heterojunctions and MXene Electrodes

The energy density formula illuminated that widening the voltage window and maximizing capacitance are effective strategies to boost the energy density of supercapacitors. However, aqueous electrolyte-based devices generally afford a voltage window less than 1.2 V in view of water electrolysis, and chemically converted graphene yields mediocre capacitance. Herein, multi-electron redox-reversible, structurally stable indanthrone (IDT) pi-backbones were rationally coupled with the reduced graphene oxide (rGO) framework to form IDT@rGO molecular heterojunctions. Such conductive agent- and binder-free film electrodes delivered a maximized capacitance of up to 345 F g(-1) in a potential range of -0.2 to 1.0 V. The partner film electrode-Ti3C2Tx MXene which worked in the negative potential range of -0.1 to -0.6 V-afforded a capacitance as large as 769 F g(-1). Thanks to the perfect complementary potentials of the IDT@rGO heterojunction positive electrode and Ti3C2Tx MXene negative partner, the polyvinyl alcohol/H2SO4 hydrogel electrolyte-based flexible asymmetric supercapacitor delivered an enlarged voltage window of 1.6 V and an impressive energy density of 17 W h kg(-1) at a high power density of 8 kW kg(-1), plus remarkable rate capability and cycling life (capacitance retention of similar to 90% after 10000 cycles) as well as exceptional flexibility and bendability.

Automated summary

The combination of IDT and rGO formed high-performance electrode film, working together with Ti3C2Tx MXene to create an excellent positive-negative electrode pairing, resulting in the enhancement of energy density in supercapacitors.