Recent Progress on Flexible and Wearable Supercapacitors

• Published in: Small (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany) Vol. 13; no. 45
• Main Authors: Xue, Qi, Sun, Jinfeng, Huang, Yan, Zhu, Minshen, Pei, Zengxia, Li, Hongfei, Wang, Yukun, Li, Na, Zhang, Haiyan, Zhi, Chunyi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.12.2017
• Subjects: Electrochemical analysis; Electrode materials; Electrodes; Electronic devices; flexible; Low cost; Nanotechnology; Optimization; Supercapacitors; wearable; Wearable technology; flexible; supercapacitors; wearable
• ISSN: 1613-6810; 1613-6829
• DOI: 10.1002/smll.201701827

Recently, wearable electronic devices including electrical sensors, flexible displays, and health monitors have received considerable attention and experienced rapid progress. Wearable supercapacitors attract tremendous attention mainly due to their high stability, low cost, fast charging/discharging, and high efficiency; properties that render them value for developing fully flexible devices. In this Concept, the recent achievements and advances made in flexible and wearable supercapacitors are presented, especially highlighting the promising performances of yarn/fiber‐shaped and planar supercapacitors. On the basis of their working mechanism, electrode materials including carbon‐based materials, metal oxide‐based materials, and conductive polymers with an emphasis on the performance‐optimization method are introduced. The latest representative techniques and active materials of recently developed supercapacitors with superior performance are summarized. Furthermore, the designs of 1D and 2D electrodes are discussed according to their electrically conductive supporting materials. Finally, conclusions, challenges, and perspective in optimizing and developing the electrochemical performance and function of wearable supercapacitors for their practical utility are addressed. The rapid development of wearable electronics including flexible displays, medical sensors, and portable power has become a notable technology trend. The latest development and advancement of flexible and wearable supercapacitors that could power flexible electronics are reviewed. The representative achievements based on different types of electrode materials are summarized. Furthermore, the design and assembly of yarn/fiber‐shaped and planar supercapacitors are introduced.