Flexible solid-state Zn-air battery based on polymer-oxygen-functionalized g-C₃N₄ composite membrane

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Energy Storage

Background:

• Personalized healthcare devices require flexible, durable energy storage.
• Zinc-air batteries offer high energy density but face challenges like dendrite formation and corrosion.
• Existing Li-air batteries have limitations for flexible applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and optimize a solid-state flexible zinc-air battery.
• To develop a gel-polymer composite membrane electrolyte with improved ionic conductivity and mechanical strength.
• To address dendrite formation and Zn corrosion for commercial viability.

Main Methods:

• Modification of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) with o-g-C3N4 via in situ composite formation.
• Optimization of the o-g-C3N4 content in the PVA matrix.
• Characterization of ionic conductivity, mechanical strength, and battery performance under various conditions.

Main Results:

• A composite membrane with 0.32 wt% o-g-C3N4 in PVA exhibited optimal ionic conductivity and mechanical strength (35 MPa).
• The solid-state flexible Zn-air battery demonstrated significantly improved performance (40 hours) compared to standard PVA KOH membranes (13 hours).
• The battery maintained stability under various bending angles, indicating suitability for flexible electronics.

Conclusions:

• The developed o-g-C3N4-PVA composite electrolyte enhances Zn-air battery performance and mechanical properties.
• This flexible solid-state battery technology shows promise for next-generation wearable and implantable healthcare devices.
• The study addresses key challenges in metal-air battery commercialization for flexible applications.