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A Double-Network Hydrogel Electrolyte for a Flexible Zn-MnO2 Battery with a Wide Operating Temperature Range
1Key Laboratory of High Performance Plastics, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, 2699 Qianjin Street, Changchun 130012, P. R. China.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|December 11, 2025
Summary
This study presents a novel hydrogel electrolyte for all-climate aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs). The flexible battery demonstrates stable performance across a wide temperature range, enabling reliable power for wearable electronics.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Energy Storage
Background:
- Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) offer safety and performance advantages.
- Limited temperature tolerance of water hinders practical AZIB application.
- Need for advanced electrolytes enabling all-climate operation.
Purpose of the Study:
- Develop a hydrogel electrolyte for wide-temperature range AZIBs.
- Enhance conductivity and mechanical properties of electrolytes.
- Create a reliable power source for flexible wearable devices.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of double-network (DN) hydrogels.
- Incorporation of salt solution into hydrogel matrix.
- Electrochemical testing of Zn-MnO2 batteries at various temperatures and strains.
Main Results:
- Hydrogel electrolyte exhibits high ionic conductivity (23 mS cm⁻¹ at -30 °C) and tensile strength (107 KPa at -60 °C).
- Zn-MnO2 battery achieves high specific capacity (251.9 mAh g⁻¹ at room temp) and rate performance.
- Battery operates effectively under extreme conditions (85% compression, 135° bending) and wide temperatures (-30 to 60 °C).
Conclusions:
- DN hydrogel electrolytes enable robust, all-climate AZIBs.
- Flexible Zn-MnO2 batteries show potential for wearable electronics.
- Advanced hydrogel electrolytes are key to overcoming temperature limitations in AZIBs.
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