Tough, self-healable, antifreezing and redox-mediated gel polymer electrolyte with three-role K3[Fe(CN)]6 for wearable flexible supercapacitors

Supercapacitors exhibiting toughness, self-healing, and high specific capacitance have practical significance for use in flexible and wearable electronic equipment. To meet these requirements, a novel multifunctional gel polymer electrolyte (GPE) consisting of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-sodium alginate (SA)-K-3[Fe(CN)](6)-Na2SO4 was prepared. In this GPE, K-3[Fe(CN)](6) plays three crucial roles by serving as a carrier donor, ionic crosslinking agent and redox-active mediator. Consequently, the usual conflict between the conductivity and mechanical properties of GPEs is alleviated to some extent. In addition, the electrode specific capacitance and the energy density of the assembled supercapacitor are obviously improved because of the pseudocapacitance generated from the redox reaction of K-3[Fe(CN)](6). Based on this GPE, the supercapacitor exhibits outstanding bending and stretching stabilities, significant self-healing, and anti-freezing properties. Therefore, the prepared GPE and super-capacitor are promising for application in flexible and wearable electronic equipment with complex service conditions.

Automated summary

To meet the practical needs of flexible and wearable electronic equipment, a novel multifunctional gel polymer electrolyte (GPE) was developed for supercapacitors, which exhibited toughness, self-healing, and high specific capacitance. The GPE, composed of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-sodium alginate (SA)-K-3[Fe(CN)](6)-Na2SO4, utilized K-3[Fe(CN)](6) as a carrier donor, ionic crosslinking agent, and redox-active mediator, effectively balancing the conductivity and mechanical properties. The resulting supercapacitor showed outstanding bending and stretching stabilities, self-healing capability, and anti-freezing properties, making it promising for use in complex service conditions of flexible and wearable electronic equipment.