Ultraviolet-assisted printing of flexible all-solid-state zinc batteries with enhanced interfacial bond

Abstract

All-solid-state zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) have attracted considerable attention for flexible energy storage devices due to their high safety and low cost. However, efficient fabricating of flexible ZIBs with both superior mechanical and electrochemical properties still remains challenges. Here, we develop a facile strategy to fabricate flexible all-solid-state in situ polymerized ZIBs through stencil printing combined with ultraviolet-assisted (UV-assisted) curing technology at room temperature. This UV-assisted printing process results in a cross-linked and continuous cathode/electrolyte interface with strong chemical bonds. Such well-bonded interface not only provides efficient ion transport pathways, but also effectively avoids displacement or shedding between adjacent layers under complex deformation, resulting in excellent mechanical and electrochemical performance. As a result, the prepared in situ polymerized ZIBs demonstrate a high capacity of 165.9 mAh/g, and maintain good stability under bending, twisting and cutting status, outperforming the devices without such well-bonded interfaces. The efficient preparation process and excellent mechanical and electrochemical performance will pave ways for large-scale production of advanced energy storage devices.