All-Printed Solid-State Microsupercapacitors Derived from Self-Template Synthesis of Ag@PPy Nanocomposites

The next-generation energy storage devices are expected to be flexible, cost-effective, and high power storage devices to complement or replace rigid batteries and conventional capacitors for wearable electronic device applications. In this regard, a scalable and cost-effective fabrication of all-printed solid-state microsupercapacitors (MSCs) involving self-template synthesis of Ag@PPy nanocomposites (NCs) as active materials is demonstrated. The as-obtained Ag@PPy NCs exhibit high specific capacitance and are formulated as screen printing inks that are printed to form electrodes on plastic substrates. The Ag current collectors, Ag@PPy NC electrodes, and gel electrolyte are screen printed and fabricated as flexible all-solid-state MSCs exhibiting excellent capacitive features, including remarkable mechanical flexibility of 77.6% after 1000 bending cycles, superior stability of 82.6% after 10000 cycles, and high energy density of 0.00433 mW h cm⁻². The Ag@PPy inks are easily prepared and more than 40 printed MSCs are fabricated on flexible plastic substrates in less than 30 min. It is envisioned that the fully printed flexible all-solid-state MSCs could be a promising candidate for flexible energy storage devices.