Construction of Alkaline Gel Polymer Electrolytes with a Double Cross-Linked Network for Flexible Zinc–Air Batteries

Abstract

Flexible zinc–air batteries have broad potential as the next generation of energy storage component in wearable electronic devices. However, the mechanical performance and ionic conductivity of electrolytes are urgent issues that hinder the commercial application of flexible batteries. Herein, the alkaline gel polymer electrolyte (AGPE) with a double-network structure is developed, which consists of a covalently cross-linked polyacrylamide (PAM) by in situ polymerization and a physically cross-linked poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) by the freeze–thaw method. The freestanding PVA/N-PAM/KOH gel electrolyte demonstrates high ionic conductivity (309.9 mS cm–1) and excellent mechanical toughness (0.69 MJ m–3), benefiting from the synergistic effect of the double cross-linked system and hydrogen bonds. Meanwhile, the assembled ″sandwich″-type zinc–air battery presents excellent power density (40.43 mW cm–2), long-term cycle life (113 cycles), super-high-energy efficiency (70.2%), and stable discharge plateau. Impressively, the PVA/N-PAM/KOH-based batteries attached to the human body surface are reliably capable of powering light-emitting diodes.