Recent advances of micro-nanofiber materials for rechargeable zinc-air batteries

Abstract

Zinc-air batteries (ZABs) have attracted extensive attention as the next-generation energy storage device for electric vehicles and wearable electronic devices. However, several challenges, such as low power density, poor cyclic stability, and unreliable mechanical flexibility, still hinder the commercial applications of rechargeable ZABs. Micro-nanofibers have acted significant roles in the recent research frontier in endowing ZABs with the unique capability of adapting to complex mechanical forces and deformation without sacrificing the electrochemical properties, which benefits from their unique characteristics, such as high diversity of physical structure and chemical composition, controllable porous network, unprecedented flexibility, and excellent machinability. Herein, an up-to-date account of the recent advances of micro-nanofiber-derived functional materials applied to ZABs is systematically summarized and highlighted. We review the roles of micro-nanofibers in accelerating charge and discharge reactions, increasing service life, and enhancing the flexibility and toughness. Finally, this review concludes with a perspective on the existing challenges and new possibilities in micro-nanofiber-derived ZABs. This work is expected to shed new light on the development of advanced energy technologies and smart wearable systems, and promote the rapid development of these highly interdisciplinary fields, ranging from chemistry, physics, nanoscience, nanotechnology, and nanoengineering, to device integration and beyond. Zinc-air battery (ZAB) is one of the most promising candidates for next-generation energy storage devices. This review summarizes the recent advances in emerging applications of micro-nanofiber materials in air cathode, electrolyte (separator), and zinc anode of ZABs. The existing challenges and future perspectives are also provided.