Gel Electrolytes in the Development of Textile-Based Power Sources
The interest in flexible and wearable electronics is increasing in both scientific research and in multiple industry sectors, such as medicine and healthcare, sports, and fashion. Thus, compatible power sources are needed to develop secondary batteries, fuel cells, supercapacitors, sensors, and dye-...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-05-01
|
| Series: | Gels |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2310-2861/11/6/392 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1850168511797657600 |
|---|---|
| author | Ana Isabel Ribeiro Cátia Alves Marta Fernandes José Abreu Fábio Pedroso de Lima Jorge Padrão Andrea Zille |
| author_facet | Ana Isabel Ribeiro Cátia Alves Marta Fernandes José Abreu Fábio Pedroso de Lima Jorge Padrão Andrea Zille |
| author_sort | Ana Isabel Ribeiro |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The interest in flexible and wearable electronics is increasing in both scientific research and in multiple industry sectors, such as medicine and healthcare, sports, and fashion. Thus, compatible power sources are needed to develop secondary batteries, fuel cells, supercapacitors, sensors, and dye-sensitized solar cells. Traditional liquid electrolytes pose challenges in the development of textile-based electronics due to their potential for leakage, flammability, and limited flexibility. On the other hand, gel electrolytes offer solutions to these issues, making them suitable choices for these applications. There are several advantages to using gel electrolytes in textile-based electronics, namely higher safety, leak resistance, mechanical flexibility, improved interface compatibility, higher energy density, customizable properties, scalability, and easy integration into manufacturing processes. However, it is also essential to consider some challenges associated with these gels, such as lower conductivity and long-term stability. This review highlights the application of gel electrolytes to textile materials in various forms (e.g., fibers, yarns, woven, knit, and non-woven), along with the strategies for their integration and their resulting properties. While challenges remain in optimizing key parameters, the integration of gel electrolytes into textiles holds immense potential to enhance conductivity, flexibility, and energy storage, paving the way for advanced electronic textiles. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e5d835eebfaa40e5b499bab6a02ed257 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2310-2861 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Gels |
| spelling | doaj-art-e5d835eebfaa40e5b499bab6a02ed2572025-08-20T02:20:57ZengMDPI AGGels2310-28612025-05-0111639210.3390/gels11060392Gel Electrolytes in the Development of Textile-Based Power SourcesAna Isabel Ribeiro0Cátia Alves1Marta Fernandes2José Abreu3Fábio Pedroso de Lima4Jorge Padrão5Andrea Zille6Centre for Textile Science and Technology (2C2T), Department of Textile Engineering, University of Minho, Campus of Azurém, 4800-058 Guimarães, PortugalCentre for Textile Science and Technology (2C2T), Department of Textile Engineering, University of Minho, Campus of Azurém, 4800-058 Guimarães, PortugalCentre for Textile Science and Technology (2C2T), Department of Textile Engineering, University of Minho, Campus of Azurém, 4800-058 Guimarães, PortugalCentre for Textile Science and Technology (2C2T), Department of Textile Engineering, University of Minho, Campus of Azurém, 4800-058 Guimarães, PortugalCentre for Textile Science and Technology (2C2T), Department of Textile Engineering, University of Minho, Campus of Azurém, 4800-058 Guimarães, PortugalCentre for Textile Science and Technology (2C2T), Department of Textile Engineering, University of Minho, Campus of Azurém, 4800-058 Guimarães, PortugalCentre for Textile Science and Technology (2C2T), Department of Textile Engineering, University of Minho, Campus of Azurém, 4800-058 Guimarães, PortugalThe interest in flexible and wearable electronics is increasing in both scientific research and in multiple industry sectors, such as medicine and healthcare, sports, and fashion. Thus, compatible power sources are needed to develop secondary batteries, fuel cells, supercapacitors, sensors, and dye-sensitized solar cells. Traditional liquid electrolytes pose challenges in the development of textile-based electronics due to their potential for leakage, flammability, and limited flexibility. On the other hand, gel electrolytes offer solutions to these issues, making them suitable choices for these applications. There are several advantages to using gel electrolytes in textile-based electronics, namely higher safety, leak resistance, mechanical flexibility, improved interface compatibility, higher energy density, customizable properties, scalability, and easy integration into manufacturing processes. However, it is also essential to consider some challenges associated with these gels, such as lower conductivity and long-term stability. This review highlights the application of gel electrolytes to textile materials in various forms (e.g., fibers, yarns, woven, knit, and non-woven), along with the strategies for their integration and their resulting properties. While challenges remain in optimizing key parameters, the integration of gel electrolytes into textiles holds immense potential to enhance conductivity, flexibility, and energy storage, paving the way for advanced electronic textiles.https://www.mdpi.com/2310-2861/11/6/392gel electrolyteswearable electronicse-textilesenergy storagesensors |
| spellingShingle | Ana Isabel Ribeiro Cátia Alves Marta Fernandes José Abreu Fábio Pedroso de Lima Jorge Padrão Andrea Zille Gel Electrolytes in the Development of Textile-Based Power Sources Gels gel electrolytes wearable electronics e-textiles energy storage sensors |
| title | Gel Electrolytes in the Development of Textile-Based Power Sources |
| title_full | Gel Electrolytes in the Development of Textile-Based Power Sources |
| title_fullStr | Gel Electrolytes in the Development of Textile-Based Power Sources |
| title_full_unstemmed | Gel Electrolytes in the Development of Textile-Based Power Sources |
| title_short | Gel Electrolytes in the Development of Textile-Based Power Sources |
| title_sort | gel electrolytes in the development of textile based power sources |
| topic | gel electrolytes wearable electronics e-textiles energy storage sensors |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2310-2861/11/6/392 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT anaisabelribeiro gelelectrolytesinthedevelopmentoftextilebasedpowersources AT catiaalves gelelectrolytesinthedevelopmentoftextilebasedpowersources AT martafernandes gelelectrolytesinthedevelopmentoftextilebasedpowersources AT joseabreu gelelectrolytesinthedevelopmentoftextilebasedpowersources AT fabiopedrosodelima gelelectrolytesinthedevelopmentoftextilebasedpowersources AT jorgepadrao gelelectrolytesinthedevelopmentoftextilebasedpowersources AT andreazille gelelectrolytesinthedevelopmentoftextilebasedpowersources |