Highly compressible zinc-ion batteries with stable performance

Abstract

Elastic energy storage devices are necessary to build a self-powered strain-tolerant system with flexible or compressible electronics. Zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) are one of the most promising alternatives to lithium ion batteries due to their significant advantages. Therefore, we developed highly compressible ZIBs based on micro–nano structured polyaniline–single-walled carbon nanotube–sponge cathodes. Benefiting from the unique configuration, compressible ZIBs exhibit stable electrochemical performance and good mechanical durability even under a compressive strain of 60%. Furthermore, after being compressed 1000 times, the batteries still deliver capacity retentions of 90.7% and nearly 100% under strains of 0% and 60%, respectively. In addition, the compressible ZIBs can be integrated together in series or parallel to increase the output potential and/or current. It opens an avenue for a broad range of compression-tolerant energy-storage devices which are compatible with highly compressible electronics.