(133a) Construction of Ultralight, Superelastic, and Compressible Nanocellulose-based Supercapacitor Electrode Materials

With the growing emphasis on sustainable materials for energy storage and sensing, nanocellulose-based aerogels have garnered significant research interest due to their renewability, low density, and excellent mechanical properties. However, the inherent insulating nature of nanocellulose limits its effectiveness as a material in electronics. While carbonization can enhance conductivity, it often compromises the mechanical performance of the aerogels. To address these challenges, we propose two innovative strategies. The first strategy involves integrating nanocellulose with conductive carbon materials to create an elastic, layered porous carbon aerogel through structural optimization. This aerogel maintains 85% strain after 10,000 compression cycles and achieves an areal capacitance of 109.4 mF·cm^–². The second strategy focuses on modifying the interaction between nanocellulose and the substrate to fabricate a bio-inspired aerogel with ultra-low density and superior compressive properties, retaining 90% stress after 1,000 cycles. The resulting compressible supercapacitor exhibits an areal capacitance of 849.2 mF·cm^–² at a current density of 0.8 mA·cm^–². Additionally, as a pressure sensor, it demonstrates high sensitivity within the 0–1500 Pa pressure range. These strategies significantly enhance the conductivity, mechanical properties, and electrochemical performance of nanocellulose-based aerogels, paving the way for their application in energy storage, sensors, and flexible electronics.