Ultraviolet‐Assisted Printing of Flexible Solid‐State Zn‐Ion Battery with a Heterostructure Electrolyte

Abstract

Flexible solid‐state Zn‐ion batteries (ZIBs) have garnered considerable attention for next‐generation power sources, but the corrosion, dendrite growth, and interfacial problems severely hinder their practical applications. Herein, a high‐performance flexible solid‐state ZIB with a unique heterostructure electrolyte is facilely fabricated through ultraviolet‐assisted printing strategy. The solid polymer/hydrogel heterostructure matrix not only isolates water molecules and optimizes electric field distribution for dendrite‐free anode, but also facilitates fast and in‐depth Zn2+ transport in the cathode. The in situ ultraviolet‐assisted printing creates cross‐linked and well‐bonded interfaces between the electrodes and the electrolyte, enabling low ionic transfer resistance and high mechanical stability. As a result, the heterostructure electrolyte based ZIB outperforms single‐electrolyte based cells. It not only delivers a high capacity of 442.2 mAh g−1 with long cycling life of 900 cycles at 2 A g−1, but also maintains stable operation under mechanical bending and high‐pressure compression in a wide temperature range (−20 °C to 100 °C).

Li, Na, K, Mg, Zn, Al, and Ca Anode Interface Chemistries Developed by Solid‐State Electrolytes

“…For feasible interface among the electrolyte/electrodes, construction of several in situ polymer electrolytes (PEO, poly(N-methyl-malonic amide, triethyl phosphate, poly(1,3-dioxolane), PAM, TEP-PC) have been demonstrated using photon-or ultraviolet-assisted printing or methods, however, 𝜎 Zn 2+ and t Zn 2+ -transfer kinetics is extremely poor. [535][536][537] Extensive efforts have been devoted to the fabrication of SPEs and their interface chemistries with different polymeric hosts (PEO, PPO, PAM, CMCs, PVDF-HFP, PAN, gelatin, PVA, Xanthan gum, PAA, hydroxyethylcellulose, PANa, TEGDA), Zn-salts (Zn(Tf) 2 , Zn(CF 3 SO 2 ) 2 , ZnSO 4 , ZnCl 2 , Zn(CH 3 COO) 2 , Zn-TFSI 2 , Zn acrylate, Zn-Otf 2 , Zn(BF 4 ) 2 ), ILs ([Emim]OTF, EMITf, EMIMTFSI, EMIM]BF 4 ), and inorganic fillers (ZnO, Al 2 O 3 , Ti 3 C 2 T x , MOF, ZIF, MXene, SiO 2 ). [538][539][540][541][542][543][544][545][546] Figure 27a displays the interfacial reaction kinetics and design processes for patterned Zn-anodes using SF 6 plasma etching with sulfurized or fluorinated surfaces with ZnF 2 and ZnS polar bindings with preferred 101 crystal orientation.…”

Liquid Metal‐Based Stable and Stretchable Zn‐Ion Battery for Electronic Textiles

“…Considering the low energy density of fibrous supercapacitors and the safety issue of lithium-ion batteries, fibrous ZIBs have gained increasing attention for wearable electronics, due to their high theoretical capacity, good compatibility, optimal safety, and low cost. [21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28] Although Zn fiber-based rechargeable ZIBs have been reported with high capacity and safety, [14] they are far from satisfactory for practical integration into electronic textiles. Firstly, the flexibility of conventional Zn fibers is limited by the shape memory effect, which cannot withstand the continuous deformation of wearable electronics.…”