Photo-Switchable Supercapacitors based on Photo-Responsive Azopolymers: Enabling Dual-Functionality in Tunable High Capacitance and Low Self-Discharge

Stimuli-responsive energy storage devices have attracted significant interest for their potential in next-generation smart devices. Herein, the reversible photo-switchable supercapacitors utilizing azobenzene-containing polymer composite electrolytes are presented. Through the gel-to-sol transition triggered by light exposure, as proven using rheological analysis, these photo-switchable electrolytes exhibit an impressive ionic conductivity modulation of 3206%. Owing to the reversible photo-responsive physical properties, the photo-switchable supercapacitors deliver a notable capacitance modulation of 105% with a rapid response time of 4 min. Additionally, the devices showed reduced self-discharging properties under visible light exposure, highlighting their potential use in long-term energy storage applications. The photo-controllable and fast response features in this study create new possibilities for the development of multi-functional energy storage devices.