A Dual-Functional Pedot-Based Electrochromic Supercapacitor with Unprecedented Electrochemical Stability

Abstract

Supercapacitors, particularly electrochromic-supercapacitor (EC-SC) devices, are receiving increasing attention and exploration for their dual functionality in intelligent color development and as rechargeable energy storage systems. As the core component of the EC-SC, the electrode is in urgent need of advanced materials and design strategies to improve the robustness and efficacy of EC-SC devices. Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) emerges as one of the most promising electrode materials; however, it still has stability challenges during doping/dedoping that seriously hinder its practical application. In this study, we develop a PEDOT electrode material with excellent stability based on Integrated Chemically-Oligomerized and Electrochemically-Polymerized Strategy (ICOEPS). This approach not only enhances the stability of polymer films but also integrates ‘smart’ reversible coloring with superior electrochemical properties. PEDOT films have a mass specific capacitance of 701.1 F g-1 and multicolor electrochromic capabilities, with a unique stability that allows PEDOT to retain 88.1% of its activity after 250,000 redox cycles. Furthermore, flexible devices based on these films exhibit exceptional cycling reliability, preserving 90.4% of their capacitance after more than 33,000 charge/discharge cycles. Additionally, folding durability experiments prove that the fabricated devices have good flexibility and are suitable for wearable electronics applications.

Keywords: Electrochromic-Supercapacitor, PEDOT, Energy Storage Devices, Flexible Wearable Electronics