Photo-supercapacitors for sustainable energy systems: progress in materials, electrolytes, and AI/ML-driven approaches

초록

The pressing requirement for low-cost, miniaturized, and self-sustaining energy alternatives has led to increased development of integrated energy storage technologies. The integration technology combines energy generation and storage into a single module, known as a photo-supercapacitor (PSC). These PSCs enable a solution to address the primary concern associated with individual traditional solar cells and energy storage modules, namely high energy loss and complex device design. Moreover, PSCs are feasible to integrate into next-generation wearable and portable devices, addressing challenges posed by intermittent solar radiation. This review discusses the primary mechanisms that vary across different device architectures. It also underscores three major strategies, such as bandgap, defect, and heterojunction engineering, for improving the performance of PSCs. On top of that, this review stresses the synthesis of scalable materials and the development of novel PSC architecture that operates in an indoor environment. Finally, the review highlights how artificial intelligence and machine learning are advancing to improve PSC architecture, forecast higher-performing materials, and enhance device efficiency through data-driven methods. It delineates practical pathways to future research directions and identifies technology gaps in the transition of PSCs from laboratory prototypes to commercially viable, integrated energy systems.Graphical abstract This review emphasizes the operating principles of PSCs, current breakthroughs in materials, device designs, and charge-storage techniques. It also explores the practical pathways for success and identifies future research directions and technology gaps that could facilitate the development of PSCs from laboratory scale to commercially viable, integrated energy systems.

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