Enhanced voltage and capacitance in flexible supercapacitors using electrospun nanofiber electrolytes and CuNi2O3@N-Doped omnichannel carbon electrodes

Developing functional solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) is crucial for flexible, lightweight, and portable supercapacitors. This work presents an electrospinning approach to fabricate SPEs using poly(vinyl alcohol)-sodium chloride (PVA-NaCl) nanofibers (PNNF). CuNi₂O₃ nanoparticles deposited on nitrogen-doped omnichannel carbon nanofibers (CuNi₂O₃@N-OCCFs), coated onto a carbon cloth (CC), serve as the positive electrode, enhancing faradaic capacitance. Meanwhile, the rationally designed N-OCCFs, also coated onto CC, function as the negative electrode, providing a high-surface-area, and facilitating rapid electron transport. Comprehensive characterization revealed insights into the morphology and chemical composition of both electrodes and the PNNF electrolyte. An all-solid-state asymmetric flexible supercapacitor (AFSC) device, CuNi₂O₃@N-OCCFs-1.5//N-OCCFs-1.5, was assembled using PNNF as both the electrolyte and separator and evaluated against devices employing gel and aqueous electrolytes. The PNNF electrolyte enabled a wider potential window (2.2 V) compared to gel (2.0 V) and liquid (1.8 V) electrolytes. The AFSC achieved an impressive energy density of 63.6 Wh kg⁻¹ at a power density of 1100 W kg⁻¹, with 96.2% capacitance retention after 6000 charge/discharge cycles at 10 A g⁻¹. When two devices were connected in series, they powered a red LED for 5.33 min and a blue LED for 1.43 min, demonstrating practical applicability. This study provides a simple and effective strategy for fabricating high-energy–density AFSCs with excellent cycling stability and broad potential for flexible electronics.

Graphical Abstract