Extreme Environment-Adaptable and Ultralong-Life Energy Storage Enabled by Synergistic Manipulation of Interfacial Environment and Hydrogen Bonding

Abstract

The broad applications of energy storage systems have brought improving demands for stable electrodes with robust tolerance to extreme environmental challenges. MXenes show promising pseudocapacitive behaviors, however, the poor thermodynamical and mechanical stability makes them unfavorable for applications under complex and harsh environments. Herein, we break these limitations by aramid nanofibers (ANF)-driven interfacial nanofilling and hydrogen-bonds effects in MXenes. Theoretical and experimental results unveil that ANF with unique polarity preferentially interacts with H₂O molecules and forms hydrogen bonding networks to restrain oxidative and mechanical attack toward MXene, at the same time, the nanofilling enables interfacial mass transport intensification for increment in redox dynamics. As such, the synergistically coupled ANF-MXene microstructure (AM) unlocks superior mechanical properties for facing hash forces, i.e., tensile strength of 115.2 MPa and toughness of 1.8 MJ m^-3, and an ultra-long cycling life with a capacitance retention of 90.7% after 40,000 cycles. Besides, the effective IR thermal camouflage performance (IR-emissivity: 20.9%) further renders the power supply working invisibly after fast charge/discharge-driven heat generation. Moreover, the performances can be well maintained when subjected to strong acid/alkali, high-temperature (200°C), and cryogenic (-196°C) treatments. These results highlight the key role of interfacial species synergy in accelerating versatile and robust energy applications.