Wide-Temperature-Range Flexible Supercapacitors Using a Multipurpose Organogel Electrolyte

By introduction of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), 4,4′-stilben dicarbo (4SD), and potassium Iodide (KI) into the mixed solvents of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), a PVA/4SD/KI organogel electrolyte is designed and prepared. DMSO and DMF can improve the operating temperature range of organogels and form conductive channels to promote the rapid transport of ions. KI can further enhance the energy density and conductivity of organogels. The prepared gel electrolytes exhibit excellent tensile capacity (tensile strain over 600%) and high ionic conductivity (30.12 mS cm–1). In addition, the supercapacitor based on the PVA/4SD/KI organogel has favorable electrochemical properties in the wide temperature range of −40 to 70 °C. On top of that, the organogel demonstrated superior stability and durability despite being destroyed (97.5% capacitance retention even when split). At the same time, the prepared organogel can be used as an information storage device for recording and erasing under ultraviolet and natural light.