Contact electrochemistry of metal electrodes in flexible zinc batteries: Interface, performance and application

Abstract

Zinc metal batteries have the characteristics of high theoretical capacity, intrinsic safety and environmental friendliness, and have shown unprecedented application value in the field of energy storage and conversion. Flexible zinc batteries take into account electrochemical performance and mechanical flexibility, especially excellent deformability, which can meet the development needs of flexible wearable electronic products. Therefore, flexible zinc batteries can be used as ideal reliable power sources for next-generation wearable devices. In flexible zinc battery systems, the study of electrochemistry at the zinc electrode-electrolyte interface is essential to achieve systems with high flexibility, bendability and stretchability, and is closely related to the diverse applications of battery devices. This paper systematically introduces the latest research progress of flexible zinc batteries from the aspects of structural characteristics, key parameters, existing challenges, interfacial electrochemistry, battery performance and future promising, etc., to provide guidance for future research and practical applications. Firstly, the structure and characteristics of the flexible zinc batteries are described in detail. Targeted introduction was given on the compatibility of zinc electrode-electrolyte interface and contact electrochemistry. Based on the existing interface problems, the interface optimization work for improving the performance of flexible zinc batteries was mainly reviewed from 2 aspects: electrode-electrolyte interface engineering and sol-gel transition mechanism of polymer electrolyte. Then, the research progress of flexible zinc battery under various deformation conditions and its practical application in wearable electronic devices were summarized, aiming at providing reference and guidance for the development of high-quality flexible zinc batteries. Finally, the future application scenario of flexible zinc batteries is envisaged, and the development of flexible zinc batteries is prospected on this basis.