Poly(3, 4-Ethylenedioxythiophene) as Promising Energy Storage Materials in Zinc-Ion Batteries

Benefiting from the advantages of high conductivity and good electrochemical stability, the conjugated conducting polymer poly (3, 4-ethylenedioxythiophene) is a promising energy storage material in zinc-ion batteries. Zinc-ion batteries have the advantages of high safety, environmental friendliness, and low cost, but suffer from unstable cathode material structure, poor electrical conductivity, and uncontrollable dendritic growth of zinc anodes. PEDOT, with its fast electrochemical response and wide potential window, is expected to make up for the shortcomings and enhance capacity and cycle life of zinc-ion batteries. Herein, in this review different polymerization methods of poly (3, 4-ethylenedioxythiophene) as well as their structure and properties are summarized; the progress in doping strategies related to the increasing conductivity and dispersivity of poly (3, 4-ethylenedioxythiophene) materials is discussed; specific applications of poly (3, 4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-based materials in anode, cathode, electrolyte, and binder of zinc-ion batteries are explored; and the representative advancements for improving the electrochemical performance of poly (3, 4-ethylenedioxythiophene) in zinc-ion batteries are emphasized. Finally, the current challenges of poly (3, 4-ethylenedioxythiophene) as promising materials in zinc-ion batteries and an insight into their future research directions are pointed out.