Engineering high-performance flexible symmetric microsupercapacitors boosted by tip-electric-field effect for integrated circuits

Microsupercapacitors (MSCs), as energy storage devices, are of significance for flexible electronics. Herein, structural optimization design was conducted by simulations and experiments to obtain high-performance MSC devices, revealing the beneficial tip-enhanced electric field effect for promoting the electrochemical performance. After optimization, the Triangle-6 with 500-μm microchannels space width obtained the most satisfactory performance with the areal capacitance of 3.9 mF·cm −2 at current density of 0.05 mA·cm −2 and energy density of 1.03 μWh·cm −2 at power density of 34.4 μW·cm −2 . Simultaneously, the device exhibited commendable long-term stability and ∼98.8 % of capacitance was retained after 10,000 charging-discharging cycles. Moreover, the device acted out favorable age stability and low-temperature adaptability, along with ∼99.2 % and ∼92.5 % performance retention after being stored at ambient temperature for two months and measured at 0 °C, respectively, and the device's capacitance was increased to 104.4 % of the original value after ten minutes of illumination (∼7600 Lux) benefiting from its transparency, which provides an effective strategy to cope with low temperature environments. Furthermore, a flexible integrated circuit system was fabricated to verify the application potential of the as-fabricated MSC devices. The results suggested that the MSC devices in series could work in voltage range from 0 to 2.8 V and provide energy for the LED indicator. After charging at 0.1 mA·cm −2 , it could be lit up for 83 s, showcasing the promising potential of the as-obtained MSC devices for flexible electronics. • High-performance energy storage device was optimized from macro to micro perspectives. • MSCs exhibited satisfactory performance assisted with tip-electric-field effect and microchannels design. • Flexible integrated circuit system was successfully assembled employing the as-fabricated MSC devices.