Synergistic Reinforcement of Dual-Cross-Linked Starch Hydrogels with ZIF-8 and STMP for Enhanced Stability and Electrochemical Performance

The physical and chemical dual-cross-linked cassava starch hydrogels were prepared by combining metal–organic framework material (ZIF-8) with sodium trimetaphosphate, and the mechanical properties, water retention capacity, thermal properties, swelling behavior, and electrochemical properties were investigated. Starch hydrogels with the double-cross-linked structure exhibit high tensile strength, tensile strain, and compressive strength. The swelling resistance, melting enthalpy, and melting peak temperature of the starch hydrogels improved significantly. The dual-cross-linked starch hydrogels exhibited excellent electrochemical performance, with smooth and well-symmetrical cyclic voltammetry curves, short charge–discharge times, low internal resistance, even having the ability to maintain good electrochemical stability under external loads. This work provides a strategy for designing high-performance starch-based hydrogels for flexible electronics and energy storage applications.